Beauty and the Beast (Remus Lupin)

24.

Rose was in Ron's room with Ginny and the twins. Harry was once again distant from everyone. Apparently, using an extendable ear, they over heard Moody, Tonks, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley talking about Voldemort and Harry's connection.

Besides Harry being upset, feeling as if it was his fault, Sirius was in a very happy mood. Having everyone there and celebrating Christmas made him a lot more cheerful.

"I just wish he could talk to us..." Rose laid down on Harry's bed.

"I just feel like he's upset. Or mad." Ron said.

"Mad? At himself?" Ginny wondered.

"Possibly. I mean, he must have thought it was his fault." Rose said.

"There's no reason to. I mean, it wasn't like he did it." George said.

"But he still saw it." Fred said.

"Harry's always seeing his thoughts. Saw it last year too. Someone died at the old Riddles house...You-Know-Who killed a muggle and Harry saw." Ron said.

"Which is why he has no reason to be upset. He saved someone's life." Rose sat up, "he was the only one who knew and who forced people to believe. Now your father is safe."

"Which is why, we're not upset." Fred said.

"At first, yeah. But only because we didn't know what was happening." George said.

Rose looked over at Ginny who was sitting in the corner. Ever since they arrived she had a bit of terror in her, still clearly upset. No one blamed her though. Ginny was very strong willed, and extremely brave for her age. But it never changed the fact of how much she cared for the people around her.

"You know what," Rose stood up, "We should decorate for Christmas. This place could use a bit of cheering up. Since we're staying here for a while, might as well make some use out of it."

"I agree. Mum could grab decorations from home and use it here." Ginny stood up smiling.

"And I bet Sirius wouldn't mind. I mean you should've seen how miserable he was before you lot showed up. He spent most of his time in his room since I've been busy with school and the only other person that's been here is Kreacher. Everyone else comes and goes. So let's make it feel like a real Christmas!"

~

Rose, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George, and Mrs. Weasley brought in boxes of Christmas decorations. Sirius was very excited as well. In fact, he started cleaning up before everyone woke up to decorate.

"Where should we put the tree?" Sirius asked.

"Maybe there?" Ginny pointed to the corner of the living room.

"No, I think it should go somewhere where we spent most of our time in. If it's up here it won't feel so normal." Rose said.

"Yeah, we need to make it feel like OUR normal. Not a muggle normal." Ron agreed.

"Oh, Ronald." Rose rolled her eyes, "where do you suppose it showed go?"

"Kitchen seems reasonable."

"Fred, George!" Rose called them over, "do you mind cleaning the shelf there. You two are the tallest." She pointed to the wall.

The two walked over and pulled out their wands.

"Mistletoe!" Mrs. Weasley walked in, "Where should it start?"

"No, mum! You've bewitched it so now it grows over people!" Fred said.

"I'm surprised my cheeks aren't permanently pink because of you last year." George said.

"Well It's not up to you is it. Sirius, do you think we should put up the mistletoe?" Mrs. Weasley gave Sirius a threatening look.