User: runningremus Date: 2009-12-21 21:15 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Lupin had spent his time at the burrow over the last week skirting around the central rooms downstairs. He knew that Molly's nature meant that she extended her family as family as far as possible, but the package, wrapped in colorful paper and tied with a fantastic bow, that was nestled among the others under the tree unnerved him. Just the one, because it said it was for him. He was content to enjoy everyone else's Christmas, but he felt awkward somehow, now that it had come this far.

The gift didn't say who it was from, and Lupin had no guesses. He wanted to vanish entirely, just be absent when all the gift giving commenced, but he had this feeling that Molly might have his head. So instead, he spent his time shadowing the halls and upper floors of the burrow, helping out here and there, stealing a cookie or two now and then, but trying to stay out of Molly's way.

User: ron_tastic Date: 2009-12-21 21:19 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Ron let himself into the kitchen door, and closed it after Mills. "I promise. Dinner, dessert, gifts, and we're gone." he muttered in a whisper. "Hey Mom!" he said much louder, as he stole a cookie on his way through the kitchen and let himself into the living room.

The pile of gifts this year was impressive, with so many people celebrating christmas at the Burrow.

User: tending_mills Date: 2009-12-21 21:49 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"You owe me, Gryffie," Mills said and took Ron's hand. She wanted to hate this more than she did. Really, it was the Weasley home of all places, but it was a home full of happy family-types excited for the holidays, which was more than Mills usually got. Truthfully, she kinda liked the atmosphere, but it wouldn't due to tell Ron that. Not when she could milk this for weeks.

User: bubblegum_pink Date: 2009-12-21 22:04 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Tonks came in a moment after Ron, holding a squirmy Jenny in a big-skirted red plaid dress. "Mama, down," Jenny said insistently.

"Merlin's knickers," Tonks said under her breath and put Jenny down, who instantly teeter-walked into the livingroom.

"Gamma!" Jenny screamed from the other room.

Tonks sighed and mumbled to herself, "She's not your grandma," before looking at Ron and Mills. "Hey guys, you seen Remus?"

Tonks grabbed a cookie. Molly's baking was better than anything she could come up with.

User: ron_tastic Date: 2009-12-22 13:31 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Ron waved at Tonks, then shook his head. "Nah, but I'm sure he's around somewhere. He then turned to Mills, and squeezed her hand. "I always owe you, Mills." Winked, and wandered into the living room after Jenny.

Lupin, drawn by the arrival of new guests, poked his head around the kitchen door, and smiled when he saw Tonks. He let himself into the kitchen, and seeing the cookie in Tonk's hand, smiled. "Those are my favorite."

User: bubblegum_pink Date: 2009-12-22 19:40 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"You could stand to eat some more. Molly won't be satisfed until you gain at least 5 pounds this winter," Tonks joked and kissed Lupin on the cheek. She did that a lot, but it was about as physical as she got with him since that fateful night. "Hey, I got you something," she said and popped the rest of a cookie into her mouth. Grabbing a package from the ground, she headed up to Lupin's room, motioning him to follow. Once there, she passed him a package that had to be a rather large book, judging by the shape and feel. On the inside, was a baby book of Jenny's first year (minus the week that still had to go by). Pictures, foot prints, locks of hair, all the cutesy things that went in a baby book. Tonks didn't praticualrly want one of these, but she'd made one for him, thinking he'd appreciate it.

User: tending_mills Date: 2009-12-22 20:40 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Meanwhile, Mills found a couch in the livingroom and pulled Ron to it, planning to stake out a spot and move as little as possible from it. Molly held Jenny and tickled her sides for a short moment before noticing that Ron and his girlfriend had snuck in.

"Ron! It's about time you came by, and Millicent, wonderful to see you," Molly said with a decent amount of sincerity. Despite Molly's assumptions, Millie seemed to be sticking around and Molly was grateful for that at least.

"Er, thanks Mrs. Weasley," Mills said, deciding not to mention that she hated being called by her full name.

Molly sniffed in the air and raised an eyebrow. "Ron dear, hold Jenny. I've go to check the roast," she said and handed Jenny to Ron.

Mills looked at the child and then at Ron. "Don't get any ideas, Weasley." Jenny looked wide-eyed at Mills, and turned her hair green for no apparent reason. "That must be Tonks' kid, then."

User: runningremus Date: 2009-12-22 22:09 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Lupin wandered up the stairs behind Tonks, and tearing away the paper, fell silent. He leaned back until he felt the wall, then slid down slowly as he stared at the cover. He opened it, then turned the first few pages reverently.

"Oh my god, Tonks, this, is... amazing. I, wow." Absentmindedly he reached out and touched her knee, when he looked up at her a few minutes later, he had tears in his eyes, and one salty trail down his left cheek. "Thank you."

Ron held the kid in the air, before realizing it was a bit odd, and awkwardly settled her on his lap in a position that vaugely resembled sitting. "Hey, I'd loose my Weasley card if I told you i never wanted kids, but, well, they are pretty scary little buggers. I'm in no hurry. Yeah, she's Tonk's." He smiled at her, and tweaked her nose.

User: bubblegum_pink Date: 2009-12-22 23:25 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"That is so cute, I think I might be sick," Mills said to Ron's playing with Jenny. He looked good with a kid, but that had to just be a Weasley thing. Nothing was wriggling out of her anytime soon. "It's a good thing this one and Fred's are around. Otherwise, Your mum would have to turn her attention elsewhere... like Neville and Ginny. Could you imagine your mum pressuring Neville to propose? He'd faint," Mills joked.

Jenny stood up on Ron and stepped unsteadily over to Mills, who had no choice but to catch her. "It's on me. Er, hello there, Jenny... Ron, get it off. I'll break it."


Upstairs, Tonks ruffled Lupin's hair. "I'm glad you like it. Now let's get to the party," she said and headed out the door. Merlin, was he a softly sometimes.

User: ron_tastic Date: 2009-12-23 02:40 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Lupin smiled at Tonks, but made no move to go with her. "I'll be down in a moment. Wouldn't do to let anyone else see my soft side."

Ron smiled as Jenny tottered onto Mills lap, and didn't even try to take the child back. "It's harder to break them than you think. Breathe."

User: tending_mills Date: 2009-12-23 18:58 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Mills was very still, holding Jenny by the shoulders uncertainly. "What are you playing at, Ron? Take it away."

Jenny grinned open-mouthed at Mills and reached for her hair, petting it. Mils smirked, trying to hate this more than she was.

Mercifully, Tonks appeared in the doorway. "Trying to recruit me some more babysitters there?" she asked jovially.

User: ron_tastic Date: 2009-12-23 20:24 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Ron grinned at Tonks, ignoring Mills' question. "Not exactly, but she is a sweet little girl. How've things been for you? Keeping busy?"

User: bubblegum_pink Date: 2009-12-28 22:56 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"Yeah, real busy. Once little Jen learned to walk, things got rather mad... not to mention work and your brother," Tonks said before turning to Mills. "Here, I'll take her."

"Thanks. She's, er, cute."

Tonks laughed. "But cuter at a distance?"

Mills laughed too and took Ron's hand.

"So how're the pub and the memory modification going?"

User:	spectralstudent
Date:	2009-12-28 23:38 (UTC)
Subject:	(no subject)

Just then, a loud Crack signaled Dobby’s entrance to the party. He wore a tiny Father Christmas hat and some garland for a belt over his Hogwarts tea towel. In his arms were a small stack of cards. He looked around for a moment, giant green eyes going impossibly wider at the party in the making.

Molly walked up to him, leaned down and said, “Why, hello, Dobby. Would you like some cookies, Dear?”

“Oh no, Mrs Molly Weasley. Dobby is only here on an errand for Miss Hermione Granger. Dobby is here to deliver Miss Granger’s Christmas cards and to inform Mr and Mrs Arthur Weasley that Miss Granger will not be able to attend your party,” Dobby said quickly before digging through his letters and handing one to Molly. “For Mrs Molly Weasley,” he announced officially.

“Well, thank you, Dobby,” Molly said with an awkward sort of grin.

Dobby then delivered a card to Tonks, ran off and found Lupin, and came back to the couch with Ron and Mills. “For Mr Ron Weasley,” he squeaked and handed over an envelope. “For Miss Millicent Bullstrode,” he said next.

Mills took the letter with a confused look. She’d never gotten a card from Hermione before.

All of the cards had rather generic holiday wishes except Millicent’s. Inside her card was a neatly written note that took up the better part of the inside:

“Dear Millicent,

Happy Christmas and Joyous New Year. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and explain my behaviour in the past few years. I feel I owe it to you. Being dead over five years has taught me a great deal about the difference between the dead and the living. First and foremost of these differences is the change in one’s emotional life. One’s personality and attachments at the time of death linger much longer than they would in life. Consequently, my love for Ron and assumptions about you lingered on longer than they ought to have. The facts remain that Ron has been slandering the Slytherins since I met him, that you physically attacked me in second year, and that you mocked all of my friends throughout school. Because of these facts and my love for Ron, I was rather horrified when you became involved with him. I said quite a few things that I regret now that I have finally been able to shift my feelings. I was appalled and enraged at the very idea of you with Ron. If you didn’t know this previously, I assure you it is only due to my friends being a great deal nicer than I was and not informing you.

So, why inform you now? I want to apologize sincerely and from the bottom of my transparent heart. I was awful and said hateful things out of my inability to let Ron go. I am very sorry. Obviously, the longevity of your relationship is a testimony to how suitable you are for one another. I wish you joy with him. He can be an argumentative prat at times, but I’m sure you know that anyway and love him for it. Please, take care of him and allow him to take care of you. Once again, have a very joyous holiday season, and if possible, forgive my absurd behaviour. I assure you it is in the past.

Sincerely,
Hermione Granger

P.S. If you like, you may show this to Ron.”

Mills read the note, looking a little dumbstruck. At the end, she bit her lip slightly and said “huh” before passing it to Ron. “What do you make of this, Weasle?”

User: ron_tastic Date: 2009-12-31 04:26 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Ron glanced over the card and tucked it into his pocket. "I'm glad Hermione is getting along well, then. We can send her a return owl when we get back to the flat." He wrapped his arm around Mills shoulder, and looked about the room. He had no problem telling her whatever she wanted to know about Hermione, though he didn't know he had the answers himself, these days, but now was not the time.

He smiled sheepishly at tonks in relation to the interruption. "I'm surprised how well its been getting on, really. Seems I'm good at all the obliviating. You know better than me that working for the ministry can be bloody tiring, but I like it, overall."

User: potterbynature Date: 2009-12-31 14:39 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Harry apparated just in front of the Burrow door and let himself in. Everyone seemed to be momentarily preoccupied with Dobby, so Harry took the opportunity to doff his coat and scarf. Then he grabbed some cookies from the kitchen table and wandered into the living room. He had just enough time to summon a big stack of Christmas presents by the tree before Dobby broke his seeming invisibility.

"Mr Harry Potter," the Elf said as he came up to Harry and handed him a card, "from Miss Hermione Granger."

"Um, thanks Dobby, Happy Christmas," he responded. "Bugger," he thought to himself, "I forgot to send Hermione a card."

User:	mollywobble
Date:	2010-01-02 14:46 (UTC)
Subject:	(no subject)

"Harry dear! So good to see you. You didn't bring Mandy, then? She was welcome to come, you know," Molly said, hugging Harry tightly. "Harry, has she been feeding you? You're rail thin."

Mills nodded in Harry's direction and Tonks gave a wave, not wanting to get in the way of Molly's obsession with Harry's weight. "So, how's the pub?"

"Good, good," Mills said. "Still the same old prats there every night, but my uncle's taken to going on vacations and leaving me in charge. I'm hoping he'll retire soon."

User: potterbynature Date: 2010-01-02 15:01 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

When Harry was able to refill his lungs with air, he croaked, "Hi, Molly." When he was able to squirm out of her hug, he finished, "Mandy had to go on a family holiday to Paris or something. And I eat fine... I've just been training a lot."

"So, um, where is everybody?" he added, noticing that most of the Weasley family wasn't around nor the usual Order hangers on.

User: ron_tastic Date: 2010-01-02 15:10 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Ron leaned back in his chair, content to listen in on the girl's conversation without being involved. He watched Harry be bombarded by Molly, and thought "Poor bastard."

Fred entered from the direction of the kitchen with a cookie in his hand, Hannah bustling along behind him making shooing motions with one hand, and cradling Gina against her bosom. Gina was getting bigger, and Hannah's insistence on carrying the girl looked more ridiculous by the day. Gina was asleep at the moment, but the room full of faces and the twinkling christmas lights saw her eyes slowly open, and once she was officially awake, all her limbs were moving at full speed, and the slurred "Mommymommymommymommymommy" could be heard exiting her mouth at full speed.

User: bubblegum_pink Date: 2010-01-02 15:19 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Jenny tottered over to the newcomers and looked up at the chattering Gina with a bit of confusion before raising her arms to the little girl. Tonks watched for a moment, decided that Jenny wasn't being too annoying, and turned back to Ron and Mills. "So, if your uncle retires, it's your pub flat out? Sounds like you'll be busy as Ron soon, but I doubt the hours are the same. Ah well, you can always drink after work, I suppose."

Molly saw Gina and excused herself from Harry with a shoulder pat before bustling over to hug mummy and baby and kissing Fred on the cheek. Jenny made an impatient noise and Molly picked her up to Gina's level.

User: ron_tastic Date: 2010-01-02 15:24 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Ron smiled as Tonks wandered away, and smiled at Mills. "I think it will work out fine."

Hannah smiled at Tonks, and handed Gina to Molly. Gina looked up at Molly, then at Jenny. "Mummy and Daddy aparateneded us here! It was very cool. There was a 'POP' and then, yeah." She smiled, waiting for Molly and Jenny to appreciate her tale.

User:	mollywobble
Date:	2010-01-02 15:45 (UTC)
Subject:	(no subject)

Jenny clapped, not for Gina but because babies clapped. Molly smiled and said, "Jenny liked that story. You should tell her some more," before putting them both down inside a play pen in the corner. She loved her grandbabies, but she had to check on dinner.

"Oi, Fred," Tonks said, clapping him on the shoulder, "Where's that twin of yours? Did you leave him watching the shop? Don't you have other employees?"

User: potterbynature Date: 2010-01-02 16:19 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Hermione's card was rather basic. He made a mental note to owl her a card before he went to bed. He had some extras in his flat. When Fred and Hannah arrived, he gave them both a polite nod and shook Fred's hand.

Vacating the area to let Tonks and Molly chat with the new arrivals, Harry found an open seat on the couch next to Mills. It wasn't the only open seat in the room, but he sat there anyway. "Happy Christmas, Mills, you too Ron. Staking out a defensive position, I see."

User:	identicalfred
Date:	2010-01-02 18:17 (UTC)
Subject:	(no subject)

Fred laughed lightly. "He is tied up in some experiment, he should be here shortly. Even he can't miss christmas." Fred sat in an old worn armchair, and george tumbled out of the fireplace's green flames, looking dustier even than floo would have made him.

"Hey guys. Fred," He hissed. "Where are the cookies?"

Fred nodded to the kitchen. "Right then." And George vanished into the other room.

User: tending_mills Date: 2010-01-02 18:45 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Mills laughed at Harry's comment. "Defensive positions are always best at large gatherings."

Tonks followed George into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around him from behind. "And what's been keeping you from the party, Georgie-kins?"

From the playpen, Jenny started saying, "Up, up," and Molly collected her, bringing her to Tonks.

User: ron_tastic Date: 2010-01-02 19:56 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

George smiled and took Jenny from his mother, and sammiched her in between his chest and Tonks, then proceeded to hug and kiss Tonks, before freeing Jenny, hugging and kissing hers.

"Just a few pots on the stove at home. Nothing scary or dangerous. Huh Jenny?" He slipped Tonks a small package, and presented Jenny with a large wrapped rectangle. "Wanna put this under the tree to open later?"

User: bubblegum_pink Date: 2010-01-02 20:11 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

As per usual, the presence of George caused Jenny to sport Weasley-red hair. She took the package from George, looked at it, and then shook it vigorously, laughing and banging it.

"I hope that's not breakable," Tonks said. "She's not so good with following instructions yet."

User: identicalgeorge Date: 2010-01-03 03:46 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

"As long as she has fun with it when its open too." He grinned, and ruffled Jenny's now red hair. "Come on silly girl." He held her under her armpits, and made flying noises as he moved to the tree. "Okay. There. With all the other presents. Uh huh." He nodded, mimed pointing, then smiled.

User: bubblegum_pink Date: 2010-01-05 11:59 (UTC) Subject: (no subject)

Tonks grinned as she watched George and Jenny. She didn't like to think of herself as a softy, but that was adorable. For a moment, she wondered if George was going to need one of his own someday then reminded herself that someday could wait. There was no sense bringing it up. He would if he felt it neccessary. Instead, she grabbed a couple of cookies and headed back to the livingroom.

Meanwhile, Mills was suppressing a handful of Weasley jokes based on their obcession with children.

Molly bustled in from the kitchen, a bit red faced from being over all the warm food, and said, "Right, you lot, best come in here for dinner while it's hot. Anyone else can just join in as they get here."