Breaking the shadows

Christmas at the Weasleys.

1996

Saturday December 25th

Ginny wakes me up excitedly, she almost jumps from the bed and run downstairs, I am not a morning person so it takes a little time for me to get out of bed, I go to the mirror and my hair is a complete mess, I brush it, which only makes it worse, so I decide to put it in a bun, and after my hair is in a bun it looks kind of decent.
Yesterday Molly gave me and Hermione a new pair of pyjamas to match with the Weasleys and as she gave them to us, she said: "It won't be a real Weasley Christmas if we all aren't matching."
We both gladly received the pyjamas, and they are actually super cute, it's a pair of red and white plaid pyjamas pants, with a white long-sleeved t-shirt.
We both slept in them tonight as it is a tradition.
I go downstairs with Hermione and all the Weasleys are already sitting on the floor in front of the Christmas tree. Hermione and I sit down beside Ginny and Ron, and Molly passes around a present for each of us, and I already know what is in it. We all open at the same time, and we all say surprised: "A Christmas sweater, thanks mom."
Where Hermione, Harry and I say just as surprised: "A Christmas sweater, thanks Molly."
Mine is purple, Harry's is dark blue, and Hermione's is magenta.
We all put them on at the same time. And then it's time for the Christmas breakfast, its almost the same as the one we got on the twenty-second. But without pancakes.

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As the day goes on, Ginny gets more exited for tonight, she is asking impatiently: "When is it time for presents mum."
And Molly answers for the millionth time: "After dinner, you know this, Ginny."
Ginny and I have been playing boardgames with the others and then we had to rebuild our family of snowmen, because they had fallen over the last couple of days.
As dinner comes around Ginny can't wait any longer, we all eat the traditional Christmas dinner, and Ginny is the first one over at the tree to open presents. Once again, we all sit down on the floor in front of the tree, we all have had turns to put our present under the tree, so no one has a clue about who has given what to who, and it's the persons job to guess who their gift giver was.
Ginny is the first to open her present because she's the youngest, she opens a big green box, but inside in is just another smaller box, and that keeps going for eternities, Ginny is surrounded by wrapping paper and boxes, at last is a small box and as she opens it a beautiful emerald necklace appears. She looks around as she says: "George was this you?"
He nods excitedly and Ginny get up and give him a hug and says: "Thank you, but you could have spared the wrapping paper.
After Ginny is Harry, Arthur hands him a box wrapped in blue wrapping and inside is a scarlet jumper. His guess is Ron, but he just shakes his head and then Harry guesses Fred and Molly but they both shake their heads, and then Harry asks: "Then who is it?"

Hermione says: "It was me."

Harry: "Thanks Hermione."

Next up is me. I carefully open a red package and everyone around me are rushing me to open it quicker, but I don't care, I want to save the wrapping. Inside is a box, I just as careful open the box and the most beautiful amethyst necklace appear, I look at Ginny and ask: "Is this from you?" She nods, and she helps me take it on, she knows me so well, I kiss her softly before Molly says: "Ron, your turn."
This goes around and lastly, it's Molly's turn, she opens the present wrapped in baby pink wrapping paper and she says: "This is so beautiful." She looks at me and says: "Harlow, this can only be you."

I nod quietly and Molly says: "Thank you dear, I love it, it's going on top of the fireplace, and she takes the bracelet on.
Everyone is thrilled by their presents and we all just have fun with even more boardgames and with all of us playing there is a lot of laughter.  

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Puplished: 07-06-23