Jess was definitely panicked. It was christmas and she hadn't gotten anyone presents, not even George, which she felt insanely guilty about. Finally deciding on chocolate frogs for everyone, she picked them up quickly before disapparating back to the burrow. Molly was sat at the table, her eyes weary and filled with tears. Jess sat beside her, wrapping an arm around the older lady.
"I miss him too." She said. Molly let out a choked sob. "I can't handle this Jessie. My baby's gone. And its christmas. There's no floating mistletoe or firecrackers. Where's my baby?" Jess couldn't reply because she didn't have the answer that would take this burden off of her mother in laws shoulders. So she hugged the woman tighter, comforting her as best as she could, seconds feeling like hours.
"Okay, enough of this. I have dinner to cook." Molly said, not long after her sobs had died away. Jess let go of the woman, offering to help cook. Molly politely declined, saying how she should go see how Iris was doing. Jess nodded, agreeing. Iris hadn't come out of her room, spare for meals since she had a child growing in her stomach. Jess worried about her constantly, but could never do anything. Through all that had happened, Iris remained the most stubborn person alive. She wouldn't let anyone in, not even Jess most of the time. Yet every other day, Jess climbed the stairs of the burrow and tried to reach her sister. Just like she was today.
"Iris! Can I come in?" She yelled, knocking on the door. Much to her surprise, a muffled yes could be heard over the sad music being played. Jess pushed open the door, and walked into the messy room. Iris sat hunched over on the bed, her eyes closed and her hair matted and brown instead of her usual purple. She looked like absolute hell.
"Oh Iris." Jess breathed, tears welling in her eyes at the sight of her broken sister.
"I suppose you've come to fetch me for christmas." She croaked, her voice scratchy from lack of use. "Yeah."
"Well I'm not going." She muttered. Jess sighed but didn't give up. Iris needed family.
"Iris. I know you don't want to be around people. I know you feel like you've got no reason. but we all love you and we need you. I need you. So please. Please spend this christmas with us."
"I can't Jess."
"But you ca-"
"I can't! I can't face his family knowing that I could have saved him! I can't do it! And I won't." Jess shook her head and walked out of the room, leaving her sister on her own just like she wanted. She spent the rest of the day fuming and inconsolable. George spent the day sad and confused. Finally nighttime hit, and dinner was ready. The whole family sat down, all chairs filled but two, but everyone tried to ignore it.The food was great, but the conversation lacked a certain humour that usually Iris and Fred brought. When everyone was finished, Molly pulled Jess aside.
"So, no luck with Iris?"
"No. She's way off the deep end." Molly's lips set in a tight line. "I'm going to take her up a plate of food." Jess nodded in approval, even helping to put together some things that she would eat. After Molly disappeared up the stairs, Jess rejoined everyone in the lounge, awkwardly playing with the hem of her dress. Meanwhile Molly knocked and knocked on Iris's door, only receiving silence. After a few more minutes of stalling, she gave up, leaving the plate of food at her door. She turned to go back down the stairs, instead walking into a body.
"Bloody- Iris?" Molly questioned, recognizing the purple haired girl in shock. The last time she had seen her, her eyes had been bloodshot, the bags under them a dark bruise color. Her face had been gaunt and her hair matted. As if they had gone back in time, the Iris that stood in front of her looked much different. Her hair was combed and shiny. She had pulled it into an intricate braid on the side of her head. Her eyes were bright and lively and her skin had a tan color again. She wore a beautiful white lace dress that complimented her swollen belly, and black heels.
"Oh Iris. You look beautiful." Molly breathed. Iris smiled and reached to give the older woman a much needed hug. The two women needed each other more than they cared to realize. "I missed you so much Iris. You've got no idea."
"I do Molly, I do. And I am so sorry."
"I am too Iris. But I have a christmas party to host and you're going to help."
"I will, but can you carry a few things down for me?" Molly nodded her head and Iris disappeared into her room to grab the last minute christmas presents she had gotten. The two women both took a couple boxes and bags each and headed down the steep stairs. Iris was hesitant to enter the living room, but when she finally did, everyone went silent.
"Iris?" A few people asked. "God, you look beautiful!" Hermione commented, rushing to hug the older girl who had been like a sister to her. Soon everyone was up, hugging the girl and asking about her pregnancy. Jess watched her sister from across the room, all anger replaced with relief.
"Well. This is shaping up to be an interesting Christmas, eh?" George commented. Jess laughed, elbowing the ginger.
"Shut up!"
"Never. So, what did you get me for christmas Jess of Mine?"
"Um, about that. I kind of just got everyone chocolate frogs." George frowned.
"Gosh. Cold much?" Jess punched the boy. "I feel bad enough okay! I'll make it up to you jeez."
"Oh you will? How so?" He asked, wagging his eyebrows. Jess went bright red, but didn't scold him. Maybe it was time that they get a bit intimate.
"My room. Midnight. Not another word." George's eyes widened at her response. The rest of the night, he prayed she was serious. When midnight rolled around, he slunk into her room and sat beside her on the bed. She tilted her head towards his, eyes expectant. He leaned forward and kissed her, biting her lower lip. Her hand flew up to tangle in his shaggy hair, tugging it lightly. The kiss became more heated, Jess parted her lips, letting George dominate. He flicked his tongue over hers, earning a quiet moan from the girl. They continued their embrace until it proved boring and unsatisfying.
"Okay. I'm supposed to be making it up to YOU, so yeah." She muttered, pushing him onto his back. She motioned for him to take off his tee shirt, then she removed hers. He let his eyes wander over her semi exposed chest hungrily. Soon they both had undressed, pale skin met pale skin in a heated embrace. They moved together, fighting to keep quiet. When they hit their high, they had to bury their faces into each others necks, moans escaping their lips.
As they lay together, the hurt in their hearts beginning to heal. They were the key to each others happiness, and they both knew it. Nothing would ever come between them, and they would fight to make sure nothing ever would.
Merry christmas phoeny ily
