Incognito

Chapter 8 - Christmas Eve

The next couple of days went as follows, the children got up and trained, only stopping when Mrs Weasley told them off. The only interactions with the Weasleys were when they had dinner, otherwise they chose to spend their time isolated.

That was until the week before Christmas, Mrs Weasley had told them that they were expected to help her set up the Christmas decorations. The potter children smiled brightly and of course agreed. They spent most of the following week helping put up the decorations. It was the only time that they hadn't trained whilst at the Weasleys and had spent most of the time with their grandparents. Mr Weasley had asked why they seemed so enthralled by the holiday and Teddy had laughed, explaining that it was the one time of year that they didn't train, there were very few death eater attacks and it was the one time of year Harry was more lenient.
"Harry is such a kind person, he couldn't have been that hard on you" the man tried to reason. Teddy laughed at him
"No... he wasn't hard, but he was strict, he expected a lot out of us, mainly that we were respectful but also that we trained hard and looked after each other. Please don't assume he never treated us with love Arthur.... He wasn't the perfect father by any means, but he always told us goodnight, he never expected us to fend for ourselves, he loved us" at this Teddy's face grew sad and Arthur decided not to press the issue.

Of course, with Christmas came family, family that were anxious to see the children after so many years. The first one to meet them was Percy, the man remained stoic, shaking the boy's hands and wishing them a merry Christmas. He pulled Lily into a hug and offered them Christmas presents. They all took the gifts numbly and Percy left them as his kids introduced themselves. The next was George who began crying as soon as he saw them.
"Oh Merlin you all look so much like your parents" Angela wrapped him up in a hug and the children all joined in.
"Daddy missed you" Lily said.
"Mum loved you" Albus chipped in. The other Weasleys let George have this moment, out of all Harry's family he was the only one that adamantly defended Harry's decision to leave. The children pulled back to greet the others that had arrived. All in all, it went smoothly as they spent time meeting the family that they had left behind. Well all was well until
"EDWARD REMUS LUPIN" the crowd of Weasleys dispersed to let a very angry blonde through. Teddy visibly paled as she stopped in front of him.
"I'll see you soon, I'll see you soon! How soon are we talking here, a day, a week or 9 bloody years!"

Teddy raised his eyebrow
"Hey Vic" he said. The girl humphed, folding her arms.
"You could have told me you were leaving you complete blubbering idiot. You.... You could have told me! I wouldn't have stopped you!" at this her face fell.
"I missed you too" there was a moment of silence before she flung herself into his arms, breathing in his cologne she said.
"I missed you too."

As the two were getting reacquainted the potters were eating mice pies with their cousins.
"No way! Dad really proposed to mum in the middle of an argument!" Lilly asked, shocked. Albus laughed
"To be fair Lil, it is something dad would do" the boy reasoned.
"Yeah but.... Why would she say yes?" Lily asked. Bill smiled
"She didn't... not at first she told him he was barmy"
"Yeah, he spent the night on my couch, moping" Ron added. Lily looked confused
"Did he propose again then?" she asked. Hermione shook her head
"No, he went home the next day and it was like nothing had happened, for a couple of weeks we were all really confused until on his 21st birthday she proposed to him" at this Lily burst out laughing. She clutched her side
"Oh my god, that is gold!" Ron narrowed his eyes
"Does he... not... not talk about her?" the man asked. At his question the potter children looked down.
"No... he does but not so much about mum and him. He tries but it's to painful for him. He tells us about mum though, how she was before he met her and how she was as a mum." Nothing more was said as the fireplace lit up.
"Auror Weasley?" a voice asked. Ron spun around to the fireplace
"Jones, what's the meaning of this, it's Christmas eve!" the auror had the decency to look guilty.
"Sorry sir, it's just you wanted to know if any information came and well... I think you need to see this," Ron frowned
"Okay give me some time, let me say bye to my family" the auror nodded.

As expected, the family were not happy, Ron accepted their complaints but still left and the Weasleys tried to enjoy Christmas without their youngest son.

It was later that evening that the children finally regrouped in their bedroom.
"How was seeing the love of your life." James teased good-naturedly. Teddy rolled his eyes
"She's not the love of my life"
"No she's only your old best friend and the girl you wrote about in your diary!" Lilly quipped. Teddy blushed
"Lily, you promised you wouldn't say anything" Teddy yelled.
"Wait you keep a diary?" James asked. Lilly started laughing and Teddy blushed red. It was refreshing to see whom they considered a second in command so relaxed. Albus sighed
"This is nice isn't it?"
"What?" Teddy asked.
"Just... just not having to worry about being attacked and being able to laugh and joke... I just wish that dad was here to see it." The children smiled
"I'm sure wherever dad is he knows that we're having a good Christmas" Teddy told the younger boy.
"Do you think he's okay?" Lily asked. Teddy wanted to cry, it was such an innocent question and he didn't know how to answer it. He pulled the girl into a hug.
"What's our motto guys?" he asked. They all mumbled something quietly. Teddy sighed
"I can't hear you!" They all looked up
"YOU CAN'T KILL A POTTER!" They yelled. Teddy grinned
"Precisely, now come here" he said, opening his arms. The children all climbed into arms.
"Now I swear we will find Harry but it's late and father Christmas won't come unless we're asleep." The children all chuckled and decided to indulge their older sibling and fell asleep.

Meanwhile Harry Potter was lying on a bed in a deep cold cellar, he jumped up when a figure enters the room. Harry shot up
"YOU!" He yelled, the man staggered back at the sheer rage on Harry's face. Harry tried to lunge for him but was pulled back by a chain tying him to the bed.
"How.Could. You!" Harry demanded. The man had the decency to look ashamed, he pushed a plate forward of Mrs Weasleys famous pumpkin pie.
"Merry Christmas Harry" the man said before leaving and closing the door, engulfing Harry once again in darkness. Harry collapsed to the floor in sadness
"Merry Christmas Ron."