Between the Cracks // 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

63. The New Grogan Stump

Chapter 63: The New Grogan Stump

The dinner table was empty when the dessert was served. Instead, everyone was scattered across the living room, sitting in couches and chairs as they chatted among themselves. Maybe the fact that it felt more casual was the reason it went better to eat this time around. Leigh hypothesised that that was the case as she slowly but surely spooned the Christmas pudding from her bowl to her lips.

Although Christmas pudding wasn't her favourite, she enjoyed it, and found it sweeter than the ones she had had in the past – another perk of being served the magic that was Molly Weasley's cooking. Still, she eventually nudged the bowl towards Fred after a while, once she had eaten as many raisins, spices and brandy sauce her tastebuds could handle.

The tables in the living room were strewn with snacks, chocolate, dried fruit and a range of magical candy. Glasses were topped up with beer, wine or liquor, depending on taste. Mulled wine was ready to be heated on the stove and served in glasses Molly had placed on the counter. The Christmas spirit was palpable throughout the home, and Leigh gladly chatted with everyone from her place on the couch.

Bill spoke about Fleur and how it felt to be back to work, spending a lot of time in Egypt. Harry recounted the months he had spent working as an auror, and how much he missed the work now when he was back at Hogwarts. Arthur brought up the changes he had witnessed in his work at the Ministry, with Percy occasionally butting in to add or correct information. Ginny spoke of the rigorous training sessions and countless games she had played with the Harpies, and Leigh briefly met Fred's gaze, witnessing his excitement surrounding the team-shirt gifts he had brought for the whole family. She caught herself smiling at the mere view of his gleaming eyes and suppressed, anticipatory grin.

As if on cue, Molly stood up in front of the table in the living room, clapping her hands together twice to gain the attention of everyone. "Okay! I think it's time for presents!" she spoke excitedly, receiving hums of agreement across the room. With a flick of her wand numerous presents started hovering through the air, soon landing in a pile upon the floor in front of the guests.

Fred was already upstairs by now, together with George carrying the gifts they had gotten and placing them in a heap beside them when they returned back down.

It was sweet. Despite the old age of all of the children, both Molly, Arthur and the rest of them had that innocent sparkle in their eye as they looked across the presents.

Molly, not being able to contain herself any longer, immediately pulled two gifts from the pile, holding them out to Fred and George. With thrilled grins they accepted the presents, soon ripping open the red and green paper to reveal knitted gloves. Their signatures were knitted up by the wrist, and they showed a checkered pattern in the front.

"Aw, thank you mum," the two of them replied before approaching to give her a hug and kiss, receiving matching pats on the cheeks from Molly in return. Leigh looked on warmly, sinking further into the couch as her eyes intricately traced Fred's movements – watching as he left Molly's side and walked across the room to his old spot.

Arthur was the next one to receive a knitted gift – a vest with various patterns in green and brown which he immediately said would be perfect to wear over a button-up shirt to work.

Percy received a new suit from Bill and Charlie, which was fully exchangeable if he wanted other colours or styles, and Leigh received a dragon tooth necklace from Charlie, along with a photo of the dragon it was from.

Next up was Fred and George who looked stoked as they distributed identical gifts among the family members, each of which was revealed to be a Holyhead Harpies team jersey with 'Weasley' in big letters in the back. They explained that they should be worn next time they attended a game, and revealed that tickets for one of Ginny's spring games had been bought for all of them.