In the Melancholy Moonlight, Part 5: Dark Matter

Chapter 220: It Must Have Been the Mistletoe

LUCY:

As the last scream died on my lips, I forced my eyes open just in time to see the Rottweiler and the hyena turn into George and Fred.

"Morning, boys," I said quietly. "How was your evening? Attend any fun parties without me?"

"You're chipper this morning," Fred commented.

George carefully grabbed my chin and inspected my face. "Are you feeling alright? Any injuries we missed?"

"No, I'm alright. This full moon was — easy, almost."

On the other side of the door, I heard a loud bark followed by a series of whimpers.

"Tuck heard you talking, Lucy, and he's rather — oof — eager to see you," Henry called. "Should I — ow — send him in? Are you okay?"

I pushed myself to a sitting position. "Yeah, I'm okay. C'mere, boy!"

Tuck exploded through the doggy door and barreled into my arms, frantically licking every part of my face that his tongue could reach. I chuckled as I allowed the onslaught of affection, and once Tuck settled down enough that I could open my eyes again, I saw that Henry had joined the twins, and all three were looking at me with wide eyes.

I tilted my head to the side in silent question.

"You're laughing," George said, correctly reading my mind. "Less than a minute after a full moon's ended."

"Christmas miracle, I guess," I replied as I felt my face heat. "Merry Christmas, by the way. I'll hurry up and shower so we can head to the Burrow."

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HARRY:

I opened my eyes a little before 9:00 on Christmas morning. It was truly a Christmas miracle that I'd been able to sleep at all, but after three anxious wide-awake Forbidden Forest full moons, it was nice to get a couple hours of restless sleep. A quick glance at my pocket watch confirmed that the full moon was over, so Lucy would be back at the Burrow sooner than later.

Ron was awake too, staring at a thick gold necklace awkwardly cradled in his hands.

"What's that?" I asked.

He sounded like he was going to be sick as he replied. "It's from Lavender. She can't honestly think I'd wear — "

"Hang on a minute, let me see!" I got up and looked more closely, only to discover that there were chunky gold letters dangling from the necklace, reading MY SWEETHEART. I couldn't help but laugh. "Nice. Classy. You should definitely wear it in front of Fred and George."

Ron immediately shoved the necklace under his pillow and pointed a finger at me. "If you tell them, I — I — I'll — "

"You'll stutter at me? Come on, now, would I actually?"

"Better not," Ron muttered. "How could she think I'd like something like that, though?"

I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "Well, think back. Have you ever let it slip that you'd like to go out in public with the words 'My Sweetheart' around your neck?"

"Well — we don't really talk much — it's mainly — "

"Snogging."

"Well — yeah." Ron bit his lips together for a moment. "Is Hermione really going out with McLaggen?"

"They were at Slughorn's party together, but I don't think it went well," I said with a shrug.

He nodded slowly and opted for a topic change,