Harry Potter and the Year After

Chapter Fifty-two: Christmas Eve at Malfoy Manor

Chapter 52: Christmas Eve at Malfoy Manor

Two days later, Harry had just come in from laying a wreath of roses on his parents' grave, as per tradition. He stamped his boots on the doormat before entering the house. The fireplace was crackling merrily and Harry was only very mildly buzzed at the moment on a few butterbeers.

Harry had his wand out before he'd even realized there was someone else in the house.

"Bloody hell, Ron," Harry breathed out, taking his cloak off and hanging it on a hook near the door.

"It's Christmas Eve, Harry. Come on, you should be with your family."

"I haven't got any family," Harry muttered.

"I am your family. And Hermione and Mum and--"

"Did you ask Ginny?"

"Well..."

"Of course she doesn't want me there."

"She's not there, Harry. She's er..."

Harry felt his heart break all over again. "She's with Malfoy, isn't she?"

"Yeah," Ron said, scratching the back of his head. "Hermione's coming back from Australia tonight."

"Oh, I didn't know she'd gone."

"Yeah, Bill and Fleur are there."

"Fine," Harry said. "But only for a bit tonight. I won't stay over."

"Well, I'll let you explain that to Mum then."

Harry pulled his cloak back on and then they both Disapparated from the dooryard. It was snowing at the Burrow, Harry was pleasantly surprised to find. It had already stopped snowing at Godric's Hollow.

They walked up to the front door and Harry followed Ron into the kitchen. Harry hadn't noticed that he was hungry until he smelled Mrs. Weasley's biscuits baking.

"Harry, dear!" Mrs. Weasley said, enveloping him into a hug. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Thank you," Harry said, unsure what to say. The fact that Ginny wasn't here weighed on him. He oddly felt like it was his fault she'd gone to Malfoy Manor even though he knew that not to be the case.

"Hello, Harry," Mr. Weasley, said, clapping him a few times on the back. "Happy Christmas Eve!"

"Thanks, Mr. Weasley. Same to you."

"Hello, Harry," said Percy, who was just behind Mr. Weasley.

"Hi!" Harry said. And behind Harry, the kitchen door opened again. Harry stepped forward so whoever it was could come in.

"Hermione," Ron said, stepping forward past Harry and hugging her. He took her bag from her.

"Hi," she said, smiling. Multiple people said hello to her. Off toward the sink, Mrs. Weasley was talking to Fleur, who had a small bump on her lower belly.

Ron led Harry and Hermione past them to lead them through to the living room.

"Due on ze same day as ze Battle of 'Ogwarts!" Fleur said to Mrs. Weasley.

"Oh, Hermione! Good, you're here, dear!" Mrs. Weasley said, pulling Hermione's hand and then pulling her into a hug. "We have a wedding to plan AND a baby shower!"

It was quiet for a moment while Mrs. Weasley still had her arm around Hermione. Ron was clenching his jaw.

"Oh, Fleur, congratulations!" Hermione said, falsely bright. Fleur hugged her.