A Trio of Serpents

24: Twas the Night of Christmas

Summary: ... when all through the cottage, not a creature was stirring; except for the one beyond the window.

The distinctive cracks of Apparation signaled the arrival of the Weasleys. Harry sat up, a loosely-wrapped package in hand. He wasn't even finished! He tied the ribbon around it and held it out for Hedwig to see. "Good enough?"

Hedwig looked as though he was offering a rotten squash.

"No? How bout you, Azure?" He turned to his plush snake lying on his bed.

Azure "nodded" in approval. "Your wrapping skills are astounding," Harry said in a high-pitched voice.

"Works for me," he said in his normal voice, racing out and down the stairs.

"Careful!" Remus called from the kitchen. "Don't trip!"

"Sorry. Hey, Ginny, I got you something from the zoo," Harry said, handing her the package. "I only just remembered to wrap it, so it's a little messy, but I think you'll like it."

Ginny began opening it right there and then. When she saw the journal, she looked at him questioningly.

"I figured you'd want something that didn't write back," Harry explained, gauging her expression. "If you don't like it, I'm sure I can find some other use —"

"I love it," Ginny whispered, and Harry pretended he didn't see the wetness in the corners of her eyes or her furiously wiping at them when Harry looked away.

Throughout the entire morning, snow fell heavily. By early afternoon, it had cleared away, just in time for a snowball fight.

From personal experience, Harry knew to avoid the twins. Ron was less lucky, especially since Harry used him as a human shield more often than not.

"Very funny!" Ron said when Harry ducked behind him for the fourth time.

"It certainly is!" Harry replied.

Meanwhile, Remus had just come out, having finished with his part in cooking. Harry snuck up behind him and stuffed a hand full of snow on his neck.

Remus squeaked at the cold and whipped around. "Oi! You're not getting away that easily!" he hollered as Harry raced away, laughing. He passed Ginny, who was waiting under a tree. She gave it a hard push and the snow from its branches fell onto Remus.

"Clever," he conceded as Harry and Ginny high-fived with a whoop. "Really clever."

The snow began to fall again later that afternoon along with a chilly breeze.

"Everyone inside now!" Remus called.

Harry skidded to a stop and consequentially received one last snowball to the neck from Ron. He scowled at the grinning redhead, sticking out his tongue.

Mrs. Weasley handed them all steaming cups of tea as they came in and told them dinner was almost ready.

Harry's mouth watered as the warm smells wafted over. By the grumbling of Ron's stomach and Ginny's eager glances toward the kitchen, he wasn't the only one looking forward to eating.

Finally, they were called to eat, so they eagerly went into the dining room and took seats around the table. There wasn't enough room for them all, so Remus pulled up chairs from the living room.

Ron's eldest brothers, Bill and Charlie, arrived shortly after everyone was settled in. While Remus conjured up two more chairs, Harry turned to Charlie.

"Did Ron ever mention our friend, Sid?"

"I think so. Isn't he the kid who likes crocodiles or something?"