The United

Chapter 7: Christmas

"I know what you're saying, but you have to be sure Al," Albus' dad said stuffing a carrot in his mouth.

"I am!" Albus said.

"Sounds positive to me, Harry. I think Albus's right," George, Albus' uncle, winked. Freddie a happy two year old with a shook of fluffy red hair giggled and gurgled at a celery stick in his hand. His twin Frannie, Francis could be heard below the table chanting; "Al, Al, Al."

George and his wife always arrived first as they left a day earlier from their country get away in the south. George's wife Kitty was in the kitchen cooking dinner with Ginny. They could hear their chatter but not what they were saying. James was sulking upstairs and Lily was helping, well listening to the women cooking.

The doorbell rang and Albus hurried to see who it was. Ron and Hermione had come, Rose at once led Emma through the house, briefly greeting and introducing everyone and then marched her up to Albus' room. Albus said hello to his Aunt and Uncle and his little cousin Hugo who was the same age as Lily, (he had inherited the legendary Weasley hair) before following the girls up to his room. Hugo went to find Lily.

It was Christmas Eve but as tradition the Mr.R. Weasley's family turned up to then leave and come back again the next day. Except for George's family and occasionally Charlie who had to stay in the host's house, which this year was the Potters'. Some stayed at Ron's to as they were only a few streets away.

The girls wanted to continue with talking about Van Dutch but Albus felt they had exhausted this topic they had nothing new to say and he was bored. Muttering something about getting a drink he went downstairs. His mum, Kitty and George were having a loud game of Gobstones while they waited for dinner to cook. Albus hesitated by the kitchen door, his dad, Ron and Hermione were in there. He pushed the door slightly ajar to see.

"I have something to tell you. Now don't go off on one, only Ginny knows. I don't want everyone knowing because I don't want a big fuss made out of it," His dad was talking in a low voice.

"What is it Harry?" Hermione's eyes were big and suspicious.

"The healers' at St.Mungo's have discovered why I've been so ill," Harry was looking at the floor leaning back against the counter, "It's because," he cut short and sighed.

"You remember in our second year?"

"Yeah."

"I got bitten by the basilisk?"

"And Fawkes fixed it."

"Yes..erm..but..er Fawkes' didn't spend long enough, he was too late to eradicate the, the remaining venom that had entered my bloodstream, a tiny tiny molecule of poison."

Hermione gasped, clapping her hands over her mouth, Ron stared at Harry hard.

"It's not serious, I mean, well Luna and Neville will find an antidote. It could be years til it makes a difference," Harry hesitatingly said.

"But if you're ill already!" Whispered Hermione through her fingers.

Ron was very pale and shaky.

"I need you two, to get a grip and give me your support."

"Yeah, you said years right?" Ron seemed to physically shake himself.

Harry smiled, they went to leave the kitchen together after they had all hugged. Albus quickly moved into the living room, pretending to be observing the game of Gobstones and then he passed into the kitchen again when they entered.

He felt as if his heart had filled with lead, it was heavy and lethargic. He choked on his drink. Silently he went back to the girls splashing a Christmas smile on his face.