Dedicated to Owlrepublic for the cool cover on the side! I like that she used Lana  for Elle ;))

Song For This Chapter: The Lime Tree - Trevor Hall

Ch. 13: A Merry Christmas? 

    "How was it?" Ron asked, leaning closer towards Harry in excitement as Harry told the story about Cho and him. Harry was seated on the fireplace while Ron, Hermione, and I occupied the couch peering over at him in a mix of shock, awe, and mild curiosity. 

    Harry furrowed his brow. "Wet,"

    "Kinky." I nodded in in appreciation earning a snort from Fred as he and George leant over some paper work for their shop. They obviously were eavesdropping.

    Harry blushed a little, shaking his head. "No, she... she was sort of crying." He frowned, lowering his eyes while Ron chuckled. 

    "That bad at it, are you?" He asked, Hermione rolling her eyes and sending Ron a small glare.

    She sat up, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm sure Harry's kissing was more than satisfactory," Raising a brow at this, I turned towards Fred who was shooting me the same look. Hermione and Harry? Nah. Hermione blushed and back tracked, "Cho spends half her time crying these days."

    I nodded, realizing she was right. I never fully witnessed Cho break down, but any one could notice by the puffy state that her eyes were constantly in that it was a lot of tears. "Well," Ron shrugged, a smug grin spreading over his face. "I'd think a bit of snogging would lighten her spirits."

    Hermione and I turned to glare at the ginger at the same time. "You can't possibly imagine how she's been feeling." I snapped earning a nod of appreciation from Hermione, but questionable glances from both Harry and Ron. Boys.

    Huffing out a sigh, Hermione spoke up. "Well, obviously she is sad about Cedric, confused about liking Harry, and therefore guilty about kissing him. Conflicted because Umbridge is threatening her friend's mom's job at the Ministry, and frightened about failing the end of the year exams because she is so worried about everything else!" She spewed out, making me grin a little in surprise. Not even I had seen that much into it.

    "One person couldn't feel all that..." Ron sighed out, "They'd explode."

    Hermione rose a brow, looking him dead in the eye as if she couldn't believe he'd just said that. "Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon." There was a small period of silence then Harry burst out in a small fit of heavy laughs, triggering the same from Ron and Hermione. 

    Smiling lightly, I watched Harry laugh and I realized how relieving it seemed to be for him. Like therapy. He seemed to have a lot of stress on him lately, but no one knew what was up. I felt bad for him being under all this stress, it couldn't be good from one person.

    "Hey Elle," George pipped up, calling my attention. "Could you come here," 

    Fred nodded as well, holding up some plans. "We want your opinion on some structural changes we may make to the building in Diagon Alley." Waving towards the trio, I said goodnight as they decided to turn in.

    "What's up, Twins?" I called, pulling out a chair and sitting down, looking at the blueprints. Splayed out, the papers detailed different levels where they would be putting different products. 

    "Really?" They chanted at the same time, making me roll my eyes in amusement. "Anyway," Fred piped up, tracing a finger over a blank area near the stair case. "We were thinking we could put the WonderWitch products here," 

    "But, we wanted your opinion on the structure you were looking for." George finished, frowning slightly while waiting for my response. Thinking over it for a moment, I decided that the more girly they could make it, the better it would be.

    Pouring over documents for a little while, we decided that we could pick up the conversation in the morning. Smiling to myself, I watched as they made their way up to bed, waving back to Fred as he said goodnight.

    Once they were gone, I pulled out the magazine and double checked what I had bought for gifts. I wanted to make sure all my orders had been placed, since I'd waited so long. Christmas was right around the corner and here I was, present-less. Smirking, I grinned down at the things I had circled in red felt pen. Hopefully everyone would enjoy the gifts, but I wasn't entirely sure. 

    Picking up a quill, I began to write a Christmas letter to Jenna. She was the only one who I had a physical present for. It wasn't much, but as I looked down at the massive box of chocolates, I knew she would enjoy them anyway. I had considered replying to her in a Howler, but I felt it would be a little excessive.

    Some time during the night, I had fallen asleep at the desk, quill still in hand.

    "Elle."  A rough shake woke me up in the night, it was pitch black in the Common Room and as I yanked my head up off the desk, the sheet of paper stuck to the side of my face. Under normal circumstances, Fred would have chuckled at this, but by the look in his eyes, I could tell something was up. 

    Ripping the paper off my face, I scoured his dark brown eyes with my own. "Fred? What's happened?" The way the other Weasleys rummaged around in the dark frightened me a little, even Ginny was up, tossing things into a sack with tears streaking down her face.

    "We are leaving." Fred frowned, placing a hand on my cheek.

    Lifting myself out of my chair, I heaved a worried sigh. "Why? What's happening? What time?" I blurted out, folding up the paper and shoving it into my back pocket, preparing to take off with them.

    Fred smiled softly down at me, but by the look in his eyes, I could tell he was nervous. "No, you and Hermione aren't coming." He said, keeping a steady voice. "You'll meet up with us after the weekend, but as for right now, we," He motioned towards his siblings, "Need to get back to the Burrow. Something has happened to our father." 

    "What?!" I asked, biting my lip. "Is he okay?"

    Fred's eyes clouded over, "Well, he has been sent to St. Mungo's... But depending on how fast he recovers, he may be sent home." Throwing down the quill still in my hand, I tossed my arms around Fred's shoulders and hugged him tight, smoothing out the back of his hair which he had no doubt been nervously been running his hands through. 

    "I'll see you Monday, then." I nodded, kissing him on the cheek and pulling away. He sent me a soft smile and nodded, grabbing his trunk and following his siblings as they began to slip out of the portrait hole, guarded by Professor McGonagall. 

    She turned to me, giving me a soft look over. "Miss Granger, what are you doing up so late? Get some rest. You'll see them soon, dear." She instructed, fixing her hair. Sighing, I obeyed her and climbed up the stairs, not even sure if I would be able to sleep that night.

    Staring up at the ceiling, I couldn't help but worry about Mr. Weasley. I sincerely hoped he was okay, sure I may not know him too well but I knew he was a good person. He didn't deserve this kind of karma. I hoped that he would be alright, and not succumb to his injuries - whatever they may be.

    The rest of the week passed in a hovering anxiety that clung over Hermione and I. Sitting in the main hall, we picked at our breakfast, neither of us really holding much of an appetite. "You think he is okay?" I prodded, stirring the, now cold, cream of wheat that sat in front of me. 

    Hermione furrowed her brow and huffed a sigh. "I don't know, I haven't received any word from Ron or Ginny. But, that must mean things are pretty tense right now." Her eyes flickered around.

    "No," I shook my head, feeling my stomach sink a little. "I meant Harry." I turned my gaze towards the empty seat where Harry usually sat, but he wasn't there. "I haven't seen him all week, and the only times I have, he's been under Snape's watchful glares." 

    Hermione shook her head, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I honestly have not the slightest clue. He told me about the dream he had, but I think it goes deeper than that," She paused, eyes scanning the table around us as if to check for eavesdroppers, but the table we were seated at was pretty empty. Almost all the students had left for the holidays. "Snape's teaching him Occlumency to protect Harry's mind... something bigger is going on." Hermione frowned, stabbing her sausage with a fork.

    There was really only a few more hours before we were able to join our friends, and I couldn't bare the wait any more. Part of it was curiosity, the other part was anxiety to know Mr. Weasley's well being. Ron was neglecting the details, so understandably we were nervous for news.

    "Harry?" Hermione pipped up, glancing a little behind me. 

    Turning, I was greeted by a pale, tired Harry. "Elle, Hermione." He nodded, sitting down beside us, rubbing his eyes. "McGonagall wants us to be ready for travel by lunch. We will be going to..." He paused, clearing his throat. "We will be visiting Padfoot for the holidays." He nodded towards Hermione making me raise a brow.

    "Who?" 

    Hermione cast Harry a small look, realizing that I was still out of the loop. Biting her lip, she leaned in close to me and mouthed the word: 'Serious'. Furrowing my brow, I thought is over. Serious? What was serious? 

    Giving in I gave her an exasperated look, I didn't understand. Huffing out her nose, she mouthed the word again, giving Harry a pointed look. 'Serious?' Grumbling, I thought about it. Serious and Harry, what did the two things have in comm- oh. I hit myself in the forehead due to my stupidity. "Oooh." Tilting my head to the side, I sent Harry a curious look. "Why call him Padfoot?" 

    Hermione shushed me a little, waving her hands frantically, and making me chuckle. "Because his animagus in a dog." Harry muttered under his breath so low I could barely hear it. Grinning, I suddenly had the perfect idea for his Christmas present.

    Around lunch time, I had packed up everything I would need for the holidays, including all the gifts that had arrived the day before. Just in time too. When Hermione saw them, she rolled her eyes, telling me how I needed to stop procrastinating things like this and that I was 'lucky'. As if I didn't already know this.

    Smirking a little, I pulled my receipt for Lana's gift out from my pocket and glanced it over, feeling my stomach drop a little. Poor Lana, I really hoped she was safe. Jenna gave me her address, so I sent her a vase of pink roses, hoping they would keep her company by her bedside. It made me slightly worried that I had received any word from Lana's family - no letters what so ever. 

    Sighing, I crumpled up the slip of paper and tossed it in the bin, lazily dragging my trunk down the stairs, causing it to bump loudly against each wooden step. "Come on, Elizabeth. Do you have everything?" Professor McGonagall's authoritative voice called out, checking that everything was in order for us to leave Hogwarts by Floo Powder.

    Nodding, I displayed my trunk with an extravagant wave of my hand, earning a stern look from her, and smiled. "Yes, Professor. I'm ready to leave."

    "Very well," She nodded, hat wobbling slightly while she checked over everything once more. For a stern woman, she sure did worry a lot. Perhaps Umbridge was starting to get to her, I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised. 

    Clambering into the fireplace, Hermione, Harry, and I crouched down, being a little too tall for the space. "12 Grimmauld Place." Harry spoke out, tossing the green dust onto the floor of the fireplace and sending us spinning off into space. 

    Once the swirling stopped, I literally was tossed onto the floor, tripping over my luggage. Groaning, I crawled out of the dirty fireplace and pushed my luggage out from under me, merely lying on the floor for a minute or so, too embarrassed to pick myself up.

    Hermione chuckled lightly from behind me as Harry and her collected their things and maneuvered around me, walking towards their rooms. Cursing them, I eventually picked myself up and brushed my coat off, fixing my hair.

    "Elizabeth?" An unsure voice called out, obviously not very confident on whether I was Hermione or not. Lifting my eyes, I smiled up at Mrs. Weasley who was wearing a tired smile and holding a tray of biscuits in her hands. 

    Nodding, I waved awkwardly. "Yup, that's me. But, Mrs. Weasley, you can call me Elle." I reassured her while she set the food aside, wrapping me in a warm hug. A little stunned at the sudden contact, I wasn't sure what to do at first, but quickly I hugged her back. 

    "Oh, happy Christmas, dear." She smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling a little as she did. "Now that everyone is here, I thought we would open presents a little ahead of schedule." She nodded, despite the fact that Christmas was tomorrow. It was strange that I hadn't seen my parents all year, but the Weasley's were always there for me. It was then that I realized they were like my second family. One I never knew I had.

    "That sounds nice." I nodded, motioning towards my luggage. "I'll just bring my stuff upstairs and unpack."

    Mrs. Weasley nodded, picking up her tray once more. "Of course, dear. You, Ginny, and Hermione will be sharing a room. It should be the first one on your left." She nodded, pointing towards the staircase and diving me directions on how to find it. "Be sure to mind the paintings, though, they aren't very friendly..." She lowered her voice, causing me to wonder what had happened, but I let it go, grabbing my things.

    I made my way through the manor in mild amusement as memories filled my head. It wasn't that long ago when I'd 'escaped' this place. Sirius Black had scared the living hell out of me, that's for sure. Climbing the stairs, I saw the familiar bathroom that I had frantically locked myself inside, Fred's voice being the only thing that would console me. 

    Man, how embarrassing. He probably was extremely prideful about that for the longest time. Rolling my eyes, I opened the door to the shared room to find Ginny and Hermione in a heated conversation in hushed tones. "What's up?" I asked, confused as to why they were keeping their voices down.

    "The walls are very thin," Ginny shrugged. "So, in order to keep the guys from overhearing every little thing we say, we need to talk quietly." She whispered the last part in hushed tones while Hermione giggled a little, cracking open her book.

    "What, so they are listening right now?" I rose a brow while pulling a small rubber band out of my bag and bewitching it into the object I planned to give to Sirius as a gift.

    Ginny chuckled a little, nodding. "More than likely." 

    "Good," I smirked a little and cleared my throat, raising my voice from above 'inside level' towards 'in a ball park' decibels. "Does anyone have any extra tampons?"

    There was the sound of people shuffling away from the wall in the other room and a few grunts of protest towards my words while Ginny burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. Meanwhile, Hermione sent me a look of motherly shock and amusement, not believing that I had actually said that.

    "There," I shrugged, small playing on the corners of my mouth. "Problem solved. I don't think they will be eavesdropping again anytime soon."

    "Gross," Ron's voice muttered from the other end of the room while Harry chuckled a little.

     I recognized Fred's voice as I unzipped my bag. "Elle's here."

~~~~

Hey! Poor Mr. Weasley - I hate this part, he didn't deserve to be attacked :(