Christmas Eve 2033
“Do you think they know we are watching?” she asked, emerald green eyes never averting from the young man and woman who had just arrived at the party. Chocolate brown curls fell in waves down her back as she cradled the gift wrapped in a soft pink blanket to her chest. Lily ached to reach out and touch, just as she did when her grandson was born.
“They know we are always watching over them,” her husband answered, a blinding smile crossing his face as he adjusted his glasses. “We told Harry, remember? We are with him till the end. There hasn’t been an end.”
“Damn blanket in my bloody line of sight,” Sirius scoffed, letting out a ring of smoke as he crossed his leather-clad arms. “I can’t see her like this.”
“It’s snowing, Sirius,” Remus chuckled, his arm wrapped around the pink-haired witc,h bouncing on her toes with anticipation. “They have to have her wrapped up.”
"They have magic, Moony,” he pointed out, a smirk on his face. “We all saw what happened last week when Jamie said that Lyra-”
“Oh! Look how handsome he is!” Lily cooed as Harry stepped into the parlour, smiling brightly at the young couple. The red-haired witch’s heart soared as she watched her son, revelling in the look of contentment on his face. His life had been so traumatic and filled with so much horror. It brought her peace to know that he had the future she always wanted for him, even if he did name his son Albus Severus.
“James! Lyra, there you are,” Harry clapped his son on the shoulder. He tended to his wife’s cloak, unclasping the fabric and letting it fall from her shoulders. The young witch unwrapped the tiny bundle in her arms with tender care, revealing the tiny witch with unruly brown curls.
“There she is!” James beamed, immediately causing Sirius and Remus to zero in on the babe. “She’s the most beautiful baby girl I’ve ever seen.”
“You said that about your granddaughter,” Tonks snickered, peeking over Lily’s shoulder at the youngest marauder descendant.
“They are Potters, and they come from Lily. I stand by what I said.” James nodded astutely, grasping Lily’s hand tighter. His body sizzled with excitement and anticipation.
“There’s my girls,” Draco Malfoy smiled, his silver eyes glistening as he walked into the room, causing Sirius to roll his eyes.
“Technically, they are our girls,” the grey-eyed, dark-haired wizard grumbled, looking to James for backup. “Our girls, James. Ours.”
“Draco is her father,” Remus pointed out. “Which makes him Ophelia’s grandfather. Which makes both of them his girls as well.”
“Lyra married Jamie,” Sirius stated slowly, trying to explain it as if Remus just couldn’t comprehend the words coming out of his mouth. “Lyra is now a Potter. That makes her pack. Ophelia is our baby. She’s in our pack.”
“Sirius, we are dead,” Tonks pointed out.
“Semantics,” Sirius and James both stated.
“Oh, not you too,” Lily sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“So if our Teddy marries Thea, is she not pack? Technically, she is Malfoy’s daughter too,” James stated, smirking triumphantly as he watched Remus sigh with resignation. “That’s what I thought.”
“Hush!” Lily demanded, slapping a hand over James’s mouth.
“She is not a fan of floo travel,” Lyra laughed slightly, running gentle fingers through her soft curls. “But she did love the carriage ride.”
“Snow fascinates her,” Jamie chuckled before looking down at his daughter with love and adoration as if she were the single thread holding him to earth. James Potter and Remus Lupin knew that feeling all too well. It was the same look they had given their sons. “Just like her mum.”
“Let’s get you all to the others,” Draco smirked, kissing his daughter’s cheek before gently caressing Ophelia’s rosy cheek. The day Ophelia Potter was born was the single day in history that Draco Malfoy had felt a love that rivalled his own for his children. Ophelia was a part of his little girl, the same little girl forever holding a special place in his heart. “Theo is over dramatic as always, driving your mother mad. I’ve had to shield her favourite little canaries three separate times now.”
“When is he not?” Lyra laughed, adjusting the baby girl and following the men through the all too familiar halls of Nott Manor. The familiar and perhaps not-so-familiar faces of long ago followed the small group, listening to the conversation and sneaking glances at the tiniest pack member. She was the future, a new generation that would thrive in a post-war world with parents who were not tormented with grief for loved ones who were lost too soon and memories of the past.
“Little love! You’re here!” Theo announced, launching himself out of Charlie’s lap, wearing his infamous Santa suit that every year Hermione banned and yet every year turned up again. Cooing, his large hand caressed the brown curls of the baby in his honorary goddaughter’s arms. Bright blue eyes filmed immediately with tears he would not let fall as he took her in, memories of baby Lyra in his arms overcoming him. “She’s getting bigger. Make her stop. I forbid it.”
”Happy Christmas, Uncle Theo,” Lyra laughed, kissing his cheek as Jamie set Hercules’s carrier down, letting the mostly Kneazle cat out to roam and terrorise the other children in the house. “Are we the last to arrive?”
”Of course not,” Hermione snorted, setting down her glass of wine and walking over with a soft smile. Remus couldn’t help but feel pride as he watched both Harry and Hermione fawn over their children and grandchild. They both had suffered so much, yet to see them now was everything he had hoped and fought for. “Theodora and Teddy are still not here. Scorp gets here tomorrow with Logan.”
”It’s just a phase,” Draco muttered, groaning under his breath at the thought of his youngest girl with the older metamorphmagus.
“Oh, Dad,” Lyra giggled, her chocolate eyes filled with mirth.
“LYRA!” Leo beamed as he and Scarlett ran into the room. “You’re here. How long are you and Jamie staying? Can you stay forever?”
”Leo,” Hermione chuckled, running her fingers through his golden brown curls.
”OH!” The youngest Malloy shouted before lowering his voice to a not-so-quiet whisper. “Mum and I fixed up your room. My crib is in there! Oh, and we found Draco.”
”That old thing is still around?” Theo smirked with a brow raised as he looked at his youngest daughter and nephew. “The way Lyra dragged that thing everywhere, I’m shocked it’s still in one piece.”
“Uncle Theo, hush,” Leo scolded, causing James and Tonks to laugh. The little spitfire may be an adorable little bookworm, but he still had Black and Malfoy blood running through his veins, not to mention his vindictive mothers. “Ophelia is here, and you are being too loud.”
“You are absolutely right, Leo,” Charlie smirked teasingly. “Good job looking out for your niece.”
“Nothing that a few charms and scourgify’s couldn’t fix,” Hermione whispered with a wink, running her fingers through her daughter’s curls before kissing James’ cheek.
”Mum said that I could give it to Ophelia as a Christmas gift since you gave it to me as one,” Leo stated proudly; everyone in the vicinity, ghosts included, melting at the declaration.
Smiling fondly, Lyra couldn’t help the tears that pooled in her eyes at the thoughtfulness of her youngest brother. Most days, she barely made it through without crying at least once or twice. Ever since discovering her pregnancy, she had been an emotional wreck—those damn pesky hormones.
“That is incredibly kind of you and so thoughtful. She will love it,” the young woman said as she took the seat Jamie and her Uncle Harry had ushered her toward, relaxing back into the soft cushions as Ophelia’s green eyes explored the room with curiosity. The action reminded the adults in the room so much of Lyra when she was born that nostalgia couldn’t help but fill the room.
At the precise moment, Ginny and Pansy walked into the room, glasses of wine in their hands and Blaise trailing behind them. “Darlings!” Ginny smiled, flittering over to her husband as the other couple made their way closer to Lyra. “You made it!”
”Happy Christmas, Mum,” Jamie smiled, wrapping his long arms around his mother and squeezing her tightly. “Did we already miss you, Aunt Pansy, and Aunt Mione’s Yule ball reenactment?”
”Not quite yet,” Ginny smirked. “We save your father’s embarrassment for when everyone is here.”
”Gods, I love these witches,” Sirius laughed. From the moment he met Ginny Weasley, he knew that she was the witch Harry would marry. There had been something in how she and Harry interacted with one another, something that reminded him so much of Lily and James that, at the time, it had stung to watch. Nonetheless, he had known just like he had known that Hermione Granger would forever be a part of his family in one way or another.
While his relationship with Hermione might have been volatile in that final summer they spent at Grimmauld Place before his untimely demise, Sirius had always had a quiet respect for the girl. He never told anyone, but he enjoyed riling her up, almost as if she was the sister he had never had but desperately craved. The curly-haired, courageous, loyal witch had won a place in his heart that continued to lock into place as he watched her care for his godson.
Sirius and Remus had checked in on her occasionally, watching her excel in her final year at Hogwarts, finally shed the baggage that was Ron Weasley, and even come into her own with the help of unlikely allies. The men had believed in her, even as she lost sight of herself, rooting for her to make it through the darkness, supporting her even in death. The day she had gone to Grimmauld Place and confided in Harry about her pregnancy, Sirius Black had taken it upon himself to vow that he would watch over her and the little kitten, their own personal guardian angel. He would have done anything to be there, the support system she desperately needed.
Laughter in the room broke him from his thoughts, bringing him back to the present. The ghosts watched the room fill as more and more of the post-war generation arrived, including Teddy Lupin and one Theadora Malfoy, causing Tonks to bounce on the balls of her feet in excitement and Remus to shake his head, smiling fondly as his son kept a firm arm around the Malfoy heiress’ waist.
“Happy Christmas, Dad, Mum, Uncles, and Aunties,” Theadora practically sang, her bell-like voice a soothing sound that rippled through the room like music from a gramophone.
“Happy Christmas, dear,” Pansy smirked, kissing her cheek. “Tell me, did young Mr. Lupin give you your present yet?”
“Oh, it’s lovely, Auntie Pansy,” Theadora gushed, her hand resting on her heart as she beamed up at the young auror. “That’s why we were late. He showed me around and told me about the little touches you helped with. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Wait,” Draco stated; his eyes narrowed as he looked back and forth between his daughter and her… boyfriend and his supposed best friend, Pansy Parkinson. “What did he give you for Christmas? Pansy, what are you hiding from me?”
“Teddy got us a flat!” Thea giggled, bouncing on her toes. “It’s so perfect, Dad, just off Diagon Alley. Auntie Pansy helped him decorate. I can’t wait to show you and Mum when you come for dinner.”
“He… flat…I…” Draco sputtered, his eyes wide. “Hermione…”
“Of course, little love,” Hermione soothed, smiling at their daughter as she approached her husband’s side. Rubbing a comforting hand on his back, she kissed his cheek. “We can’t wait to see it. I’m sure you’re delighted to be out of your brother’s place.”
“Poor little Malfoy,” James snickered as the young woman continued to gush about the home and her and Teddy's plans for the future. “I think he might have a heart attack. Might be the first wizard in history to drop dead from the news that his daughter is moving in with a successful auror. You should be proud, Moony! Your son figured out how to take out a Malfoy without cursing him!”
“Hush, James!” Lily scolded, slapping his shoulder.
The night before Christmas continued as the rest of the expected children arrived. Laughter rang through the halls as fairy wine, butter beer, and firewhiskey made its rounds. Athena Weasley Nott and Frankie Longbottom popped in for a quick hello and a scandalous storytelling session before heading to the Longbottom’s for the night, leaving with promises to return bright and early for Christmas morning. Luca Zabini and Albus Potter boasted about the success of their latest potion accolades and discussed the possible expansion of their apothecary. Dahlia Zabini spoke with her mother and Aunts in hushed tones about her and Scorpius Malfoy’s future wedding plans. At the same time, Lily Potter exuberantly told Charlie and Theo about the latest creature she had worked with in her magizoology studies with Rolf Scamander.
“Come on, darling,” Hermione whispered in Lyra’s ear before the two of them quietly slipped from the room and headed out to the gardens while everyone else was thoroughly engulfed in their own conversations.
“Follow! Follow!” Sirius urged, pushing James and Lily toward them while Remus and Tonks stayed behind to watch their son romance the youngest Malfoy heiress. Watching as Hermione first wrapped Lyra in a cloak before ensuring her granddaughter was wrapped warmly, Sirius could only smile at the knowledge that he had been wrapped in the witch’s kindness many times before. He would never forget the girl who used a time-turner and first saved a Hippogriff before using the said creature to save him. To know Hermione Granger, Malfoy, he supposed, and to be loved by her was a wondrous feeling. He only wished he had been alive long enough to repay her. Sirius Black would have spoiled the shit out of her and her baby if he had been able.
”My sweet love,” Hermione whispered as they reached the familiar garden spot. Closing her eyes, Lyra let the snow and the warmth of her mother’s voice wrap itself around her. “And her tiny, beautiful little witchling. Snow is the purest magic in all the world. It symbolises calm, innocence, and new beginnings. As you both grow in motherhood and in youth, you’ll make so many mistakes. To make mistakes is to be human. But know this. No mistake is forever. There will always be hope and new beginnings just around the corner. All you have to do is wait for the snow to fall.”
”I’ve always loved this tradition,” Lyra whispered, running gentle fingers through her daughter's curls, revelling in the babe's feelings of wonder, curiosity, love, and pride from her mother. “I want to continue it with Ophelia.”
“And so you will, little dragon,” her mother murmured, kissing her cheek, embuing as much love in the single action as she could. Hermione never took one single moment with her children for granted, knowing full well the ache that genuinely never went away when you lost your parents. She loved her children with everything she had in her, and one day would not go by without her making sure they were aware of that.
Lily Potter’s heart ached to be physically standing with the witches and able to touch and feel. She longed to reassure both mother and daughter that everything would be alright. She had watched over the years as Hermione had struggled, first with the war and the aftermath and then with self-acceptance. The red-headed witch had yearned to be the one to hold onto and dry the tears of the woman who had stood by her son, never leaving him once. She would never be able to thank Molly Weasley and Narcissa Malloy enough for stepping in and mothering both the young witch and her sweet boy when she couldn’t.
As the snow swirled around them, Lyra Potter née Malfoy smiled softly before turning her chocolate eyes onto her mother.
”I hope I’ll be as wonderful of a mother to Ophelia as you are to me.”
”You already are,” Hermione reassured her.
”I just want to wrap them up in my arms and squeeze them,” Sirius groaned, leaning into Lily knowingly.
”Now,” Hermione smiled. “Tell me your wishes and dreams, little dragon.”
With a huff of laughter, the group of ghosts listened in as Lyra began to regale her mother with her wishes and dreams for her little star. The trio laughed at the outlandish ones, even tearing up at the more emotional ones. Lily couldn’t help but think back to the wedding day of Jamie and Lyra and how beautiful and at peace she looked in the snow with her husband.
”Do you have any wishes yourself you would like to put out into the world?” Hermione murmured, her arm wrapped delicately around her daughter’s lithe form.
”I wish…” Lyra started before pausing and looking up to the stars, locating first the Draco constellation and then herself, letting it ground her at the moment as it always did. “I wish that our family could be together for Christmas. Our whole family… the ones alive and passed.”
”I know, darling,” Hermione whispered, closing her eyes as memories of Christmas celebrations with her parents and even Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Fred Weasley flashed through her mind. So many had been lost far too early.
“Jamie never got to meet his grandfather or Uncle Sirius. Teddy lost both his parents… I wish we could all be together again… even if it’s just for Christmas.”
”It’s a beautiful wish, love,” Hermione smiled softly, kissing her cheek. Neither witch noticed the slight ripple of magic that ebbed through the air as they finished up with their sacred tradition. “Come on. Let’s get back inside to the warmth before they come and hunt us down.”
Christmas Day
Waking early on the morning of Christmas, Theo smiled to himself as he snuck out of bed, leaving behind his handsome husband in favour of an early morning cup of coffee before the others had awoken and guests came tumbling back through the floo. While he had always loved the chaos of Nott Manor when it was filled to the brim with people and excitement, the wizard had grown to appreciate the silence of a cup of coffee in the library, knowing full well that there was a high likelihood of a moment alone with Hermione or even Lyra.
Slipping on his green silk robe that matched his pajamas, Theo padded down the hall, whistling My Favorite Things as he made his way to the grand staircase. With a pep in his step, the eldest Nott made his way downstairs and into the dining room, where he just knew Missy would have a little snack and coffee waiting for him and whoever awoke first. It was tradition, after all.
When he entered his favourite room in all the manor, Theo’s blue eyes grew large, taking in the spread of food that took up the entirety of the dining room table that had been enlarged over the years to fit the ever-growing family.
“Hermione? Are you awake?” Theo called, carefully making himself a coffee from the pot waiting for them. “Love, I know you’re excited about your first Christmas with your granddaughter, but isn’t this a bit much? Missy will be very put out if she sees that you took away her making Christmas breakfast. I don’t think we want a crying elf on our hands.”
When no one answered, Theo took it upon himself to taste one of the delicious-looking pastries on the table.
“Holy shit Hermione. Have you been taking lessons from the elves? This is fucking divine!”
”Do you kiss your husband with that mouth?” A deep male voice called out, causing Theo to turn around abruptly, his jaw dropping to the floor at the sight that awaited him. There before him stood a tall, dark-haired man who was covered in tattoos. “Because it’s definitely a dirty little thing. What else does it do, hmm?”
“Salazar fucking…”
”Sirius,” Remus scolded, walking into the room with another platter of food. “If you aren’t going to be helpful, at least don’t terrorise the Lord of the home. I, for one, would like not to be kicked out before I get to spend the holiday with my son and his family. Good Morning, Theodore.”
”Professor Lupin?” Theo choked out, his hand going over his heart as his blue eyes grew impossibly wider. There was absolutely no way that Professor Remus Lupin and Sirius Black… two men he knew to be dead, were standing before him looking as if they hadn’t aged a day.
“Look at that, Moony,” Sirius snickered, patting him on the back before sipping his coffee. “Another student who had a bit of a crush on you to add to the list. Looks like it wasn’t just our Hermione.”
”I think I’ve gone mad…” Theo whispered.
”Take a deep breath, Theodore,” Remus soothed, choosing to ignore Sirius at that particular moment. “You’re not going mad, I promise. I know it’s a lot to take in. We ourselves don’t quite understand what happened.”
“We…”
”Remus, is everything alright?” A redheaded witch asked as she entered the dining room with a mixing bowl. The witch was undoubtedly not one Ginevra Potter but looked oddly familiar.
“Everything is fine, Lily. Theodore here is just… well, he seems to be in a bit of shock,” his former professor explained as if this were all just another day. “Can’t say that I blame him. I don’t think he was quite expecting us.”
”Oh, Theo!” Lily Potter exclaimed, her smile bright and familiar emerald eyes sparkling as her attention turned toward him. “Merry Christmas! I hope you don’t mind, but well, it will be the first Christmas with my son and grandbabies.”
”And great grandbaby,” Sirius pointed out. “Don’t forget our littlest pup.”
”POTTER!” Theo screamed, his eyes wide as he took in the ghosts that stood before him, all looking as if they hadn’t just been dead a mere twelve hours ago. “POTTER GET DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW! WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?!”
”Theo darling. If I could just-“ Lily began but was cut off when a Potter ran into the room, one that was certainly NOT Harry.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” James asked, looking around the room as if searching for a threat. “I’m not quite used to not being able just to appear wherever I want. I think I might be out of shape. Can ghosts become out of shape? I don’t even have my wand.”
”How would I know?” Sirius laughed, rocking on the balls of his feet as he poured himself another glass of champagne before indulging in the drink with a contented sigh. “Merlin, I’ve missed the expensive shit.”
“What the bloody hell is going on in here?” Charlie asked, walking into the room, his messy red hair pulled haphazardly into a bun, yawning as he slipped on a shirt. “Theo, love, why are you yelling? Was it necessary to wake the entire house?”
“It was absolutely necessary. I’m losing my mind. I think I might be having one of those muggle things with my brain that Hermione was telling us about. Where is she? She’s the family healer.”
”Calm down, love,” Charlie chuckled, ruffling his curls. “You’re not a muggle. You can’t have one of those. ”
”Then why am I seeing dead people?!”
“What?” Charlie asked before turning to where his husband was pointing. At that exact moment, a familiar pink-haired witch walked into the room, practically dancing to his side.
”Wotcher Charlie!” Tonks beamed, waving happily.
”You can see them too?” Theo whispered, clutching onto his husband as the two stared at the party of ghosts in front of them. “That is not what ghosts are supposed to look like.”
”I… wait, did you check and make sure they are who they say they are?” Charlie asked just as a scruffy, raven-haired, sleepy wizard walked into the room, his glasses off as he rubbed his tired emerald eyes.
“You know, Nott, when I assumed I would be woken up early Christmas morning, I dreamed it would be from Ophelia crying or my children. Never in my imagination did I picture it being a fully grown adult. We are doing this at Draco and Mione’s next year. Maybe then I can get some sleep,” Harry snapped before putting on his glasses. When his eyes adjusted, he saw the wide-eyed looks on the Nott-Weasley’s faces. “What is it? Why do you look as if Voldemort came back from the dead… again.”
Neither of them answered, only pointing behind him.
Slowly, Harry turned around, mentally preparing for anything to happen. What he wasn’t prepared for was to be met with the smiling faces of those lost long ago. His heart sped up in his chest, his hands itching to rush into the arms of the group in front of him.
“Happy Christmas, sweetheart,” Lily murmured, stepping toward him, her hand stretched out.
“Mum?” Harry choked, his eyes flittering back and forth from her to his father and then to Sirius. His brain couldn’t catch up to what he was seeing right in front of him. Theoretically, he knew there wasn’t any possible way that his family was standing there, definitively not ghosts, but something profound in his soul just knew it was them. It was as if they were a Christmas miracle just for him.
”It’s me darling,” she answered softly, taking his hand in hers, causing the boy who lived to nearly jump out of his skin. They were here… he could reach out and touch them. “I’m here…”
Without another thought, abandoning his previous Head Auror sensibilities, Harry launched into his mother’s open arms. His strong arms wrapped around her fiercely, allowing the feeling of love and comfort to seep into his soul. His senses were filled with the smell of fresh florals, sugar, and what he imagined to be what sunlight would smell like. His mother's scent was foreign yet all too familiar at the same time.
“How is this possible?” He whispered as he locked eyes with the young man he knew to be his father.
”We aren’t quite sure. But we have a few ideas,” James chuckled, smiling fondly at his son before joining in, gathering both him and his wife into an enormous hug of his own.
”Bloody hell, kid, look at you,” Sirius smiled proudly. “You look better than your dad.”
Harry couldn’t help the laugh that fell from his lips before he hugged Sirius tightly. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. No stranger to the wonderful things magic could do, the raven-haired man still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that so many of his deceased loved ones stood in front of him. There was just no possible way that magic was responsible for this.
“How are you not freaking out right now?!” Theo exclaimed, his eyes wide as he looked back and forth between them all; the sounds of distant conversations and thundering footsteps of children fluttered through the air.
”I guess this isn’t the strangest thing that has ever happened to me,” Harry shrugged, causing Charlie to chuckle and Theo to scoff.
“Well, not all of us are the boy who lived and then died and then lived again to kill snakeface. Excuse me for finding this extremely unsettling,” Theo murmured. “I need something stronger than coffee.”
”Morning, Dad,” Logan exclaimed, walking into the kitchen and chattering away with Lily and Albus.
”Morning, Dad,” the Potter children echoed, never looking up at the adults in the room.
“Morning, Albus, Lily,” Harry chuckled.
”Happy Christmas, kiddo,” Charlie ruffled his son’s hair as he passed by. He knew not to take it personally as they were all headed toward the library where the tree and presents awaited them.
”Speaking of Albus,” Sirius smirked before narrowing his eyes at his godson. “Albus Severus? Really?”
”Good luck with that conversation,” Theo snorted. “Charlie, love, wake me up when this fever dream is over. And if it’s not a dream, tell me when Hermione figures everything out and fixes it.”
”Whatever you say,” the redheaded wizard chuckled, watching his husband as he collapsed in his chair, dropping his head onto the table. Slowly, more and more entered the room, Blaise and Pansy having a similar reaction to Theo’s before retreating to the library to await their children’s appearance while the rest of the young ones meandered through, saying their hellos, not understanding the significance of the people in their room.
“Why is there so much yelling on Christmas morning? What the bloody hell is going on?” Draco asked, walking into the dining room with Scarlett on his back. Silver eyes widened as he took in the scene in front of him. “Hermione… love, can you come in here for a moment?”
“Malfoy,” Sirius smirked, ruffling his godson's hair as he walked toward the Malfoy heir. “Just the man I wanted to see.”
“Potter, what did you do?” Draco sneered as Scarlett scrambled down, shooting off toward where she knew the children were gathered around the tree waiting to open gifts. He himself longed to head that way and pretend that none of what he was actually witnessing was happening. He had never had the pleasure to meet Sirius Black, a member of his mother’s side of the family. Given the stories about this particular man and his protective streak, not to mention his tendency to act irrationally, the blonde wizard definitely didn’t have the desire to meet him now.
“I didn’t do anything!” Harry exclaimed, throwing his arms around.
“Are we going to meet Hermione finally?” James beamed, stepping up beside Harry. “There are so many things I want to talk to her about.”
“The dragon,” Sirius pointed out.
“Definitely the dragon,” James nodded vigorously. Draco’s mouth dropped open as he took it all in. He knew the faces of the visitors all too well. Even though he had never actually met any of them except Professor Lupin, he was no stranger to their faces and stories. His wife had made sure to regale him and their children with the heroic tales of the Marauders and their wives.
”Love, I told you,” Hermione's soft voice was heard before she entered the room with a yawning Leo. “I wanted to check on Lyra and Ophelia. I promised I wouldn’t try and have Missy take the morning off so that I could cook. I swear I didn’t lie. I- Sirius? Tonks? Professor Lupin…”
Her chocolate brown eyes were wide as her wild curls fell around her face and shoulders, just as sentient and untamable as Sirius Black remembered. He could boldly admit that she had grown up to be immensely beautiful. Add that to her innate kindness, unwavering loyalty, and magnificent magical prowess, and Draco Malfoy was one lucky bastard. It was too bad that it was too late to give the wizard his speech. He supposed four children later, and the wizard might be good enough for her. It was still up for debate as far as he was concerned.
“Kitten!” Sirius beamed, rushing over to the witch, gathering her into a tight hug and spinning her around. “Look at you! All grown up and beautiful! A mum! A grandmum!”
“Sirius…” she whispered, clinging to him tightly as her wide eyes looked at Harry for answers. As he shook his head, indicating to her that he knew nothing about this either, Hermione tried to take it all in, letting the gears in her brain work over the limit that she tended to try and stick to.
“Kitten, let me introduce you to some people who are just so excited to meet you,” Sirius beamed, leading her toward the small group gathered around Harry. Hermione allowed herself to hug both Tonks and Remus, wondering to herself if this was possibly some shared dream or prank from George that had somehow gone wrong. Whatever it was… she didn’t know how she was supposed to feel about it. As Sirius led her closer toward Harry, her bright eyes landed upon the startling familiar shade of green belonging to a redheaded witch who was clinging to Harry. Suddenly there was a twin head of messy raven-coloured locks that had her sucking in a deep breath. “Hermione, this is Lily and Prongs. They’ve been dying to meet you.”
“Not the time, Pads,” Remus groaned, shaking his head.
“Hermione,” Lily breathed, stepping up and gathering into her arms, hugging the young witch as only a mother could. “I can not tell you how happy I am to be able to do this. There are so many things I want to say to you… so many things I want to ask. But I just… I need you to know that I am forever grateful for everything you have done for my son.”
“I… he’s my best friend. My brother, there’s… there’s nothing to thank me for, Mrs. Potter,” Hermione stated slowly, her brain still not functioning at its normal levels. She had already had one mental breakdown. The witch didn’t think she was ready for another.
“Yes. Yes, there is,” Lily stated firmly. “I wish there were some way that I could repay you and show you how grateful we truly are. I… we know everything you have been through… everything you lost. Please know that you are family to us. I wasn’t here to be a mother toward her, but if I could have been… I would have.”
“I wouldn’t argue with her, love,” James chuckled, kissing the top of Lily’s head before placing a loving hand on her shoulder. “She’s right. We owe you a debt that can never truly be repaid. And we won’t hear another argument about it. Just accept the fact that the Marauders owe you a deb,t and somehow… well, somehow, we will repay it in kind. Besides…”
“Oh no,” Remus chuckled. “I apologise now, Hermione.”
“There are so many things I want to talk to you about!” James breathed, taking her hand with a triumphant yet devious smile. “Tell me everything about your escape from Gringotts? What was it like to rescue and ride that dragon out of there?”
“James,” Lily sighed in exasperation.
“What about that pink toadfaced cu- woman,” James stated, with a smile on his face as he corrected himself so he wouldn’t face his wife’s ire. “Tell me all about how you took her down once and for all.”
“Don’t forget the jar!” Sirius laughed. “Prongs has been obsessed with knowing everything about Rita Skeeter’s time in the jar.”
“And when you set Snape’s robes on fire,” Tonks pointed out.
“Ah! Glorious,” James snickered, practically bouncing where he stood. “Tell me EVERYTHING!”
“Mum? Dad?” a voice rang out, causing everyone to stop and look up. Lyra and Jamie Potter walked into the dining room, Ophelia snuggled safely in her mother’s arms. “Is everything alright? I was feeding Ophelia when we heard screaming. Is… hello… I didn’t realise we had visitors. How rude of me.”
“Grandma… grandpa…” James breathed, his eyes wide as he took in the sight of his grandparents, not to mention the other Marauders standing before them, alive and in the flesh. While he may not have even had the privilege of meeting them, James Sirius Potter would know their faces anywhere.
“Jamie?” Lyra asked, looking back and forth between her husband and the strange group of people clinging to her mother and Uncle Harry.
“James,” Lily breathed, tears in her eyes. “Oh, he’s so beautiful, Harry.”
“Lily,” Sirius chuckled. “We’ve seen him every single day of his life. Just because we weren’t alive then…”
“It’s different,” Lily waved off, tentatively stepping toward her grandson. “I know we’ve never met, but I watched you grow into this beautiful, amazing wizard. A husband and a father… just like your father. I’m so glad to meet you.”
“I’m glad to meet you too,” Jamie laughed, gathering the small witch into his arms and hugging her tightly.
“Tiny Kitten,” Sirius beamed, looking at Lyra. “And teeny tiny kitten. I don’t know if you know this, but your mum-”
“Buckbeak,” Lyra blurted out before she could stop herself, blushing as everyone in the room smiled indulgently, chuckling. “I… mum told us all the story about the time-turner and Buckbeak.”
“Then you know I owed your mum a life debt,” Sirius chuckled, pride and love in his eyes. “I’ve watched over you, ever since your mother discovered she was pregnant with you. You’re my kitten just as much as you are her daughter.”
Lyra couldn’t help but laugh a little, tears coming to her eyes again, courtesy of the hormones raging through her body.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Sirius Black,” Lyra giggled, adjusting Ophelia in her arms to give him a hug.
“Remus…” Hermione stated softly, capturing the attention of her former professor as the rest of the Marauders fawned over Lyra, Jamie, and their child. “I… Teddy should be here any minute. Do you want to go and wait for him?”
“Yes,” Remus beamed, his smile brighter than she had ever seen it. “Yes, I would like that very much.”
“Of course,” Hermione nodded, taking Draco’s hand and leading the werewolf and his wife toward the library.
“You’re quiet, Mione,” Tonks snickered. “Either your mind is still working it all out or…”
“I’m not quite convinced yet that this isn’t a very lucid dream brought on by some wayward prank that George Weasley somehow has pulled,” Hermione laughed slightly, her husband’s grip on her tightening slightly. “But it’s just… It’s so nice to see you all, and I just want to take it all in while it lasts.”
“We aren’t quite sure what happened either,” Remus murmured, smiling softly. “One minute, we were watching over everyone, unable to touch or smell. The next we are waking up, fully in our bodies able to touch, smell, latch on to…”
“We don’t know what happened,” Tonks nodded. “But we aren’t wasting this chance. No matter how it all turns out.”
Hermione nodded, understanding completely the words coming out of their mouths. If she were in their position, she would take advantage as well, wanting to see and spend time with their children. As they walked into the library, all eyes turned to them as expected, and smiles were on all the children’s faces.
“Hello, loves,” Hermione smiled. “While we wait for a few more stragglers… this is Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. Teddy’s parents.”
“But I thought…” Albus started but stopped, looking back and forth between his Aunt Hermione and the two newcomers.
“I thought Teddy’s parents were heroes who died in the war,” Leo piped up. “That’s why you named me after him. That’s what you said.”
“Yes, darling,” Hermione nodded. You are right. I did name you Leo Remus after him… but somehow, they are here today, along with Uncle Harry’s parents and Sirius Black.”
A slew of questions flew at her from every mouth in the room.
How are you alive?
Are you a ghost?
What was it like to die?
Are you watching us all the time? That’s so creepy!
It’s so romantic that you died together!
It wasn’t until the floo chimed again that the questions ceased, and all eyes focused on the duo stumbling out in a fit of giggles, wrapped around each other. Tonks' breath caught in her throat as she took in her adult son's tall form and aqua-coloured hair. Remus squeezed her hand, using his wife as a tether to the spot where he stood. The last thing he wanted to do was terrify his son by tackling him.
“Happy Christmas, everyone!” Theadora beamed, looking around at everyone before holding out her hand. The shiny yet dainty ring on her finger caused Draco’s knees to practically buckle as he clutched onto his wife. “We’re engaged!”
“Salazar, it’s not a phase…” Draco choked out.
A flurry of motion and voices swam around them excitedly, gravitating toward the happy couple, smothering them in congratulations and cries of indignation about growing up too fast. It wasn’t until the happy, purple eyes of Teddy Lupin locked onto the two figures standing next to his future in-laws that the room fell silent again.
Theadora clutched onto her fiance, looking up at him in concern. “Teddy? Love?”
“Mum? Dad?” Teddy choked out, his hair changing at rapid speed, along with his emotions.
“Hello pup,” Remus said warmly, smiling proudly at his son. “Congratulations. We are so proud of you.”
“You are so handsome,” Tonks choked out. “My sweet boy.”
“I don’t… I… Aunt Mione?”
“It’s them love,” Hermione nodded, stepping away from the formally dead couple, allowing Teddy and her daughter to slowly approach.
“It’s… it’s you. It really is you,” Teddy choked out before launching himself at them both, the family holding onto each other tightly, tears falling from all of their eyes. All Theadora could do was look at her parents in concern but also reign in her emotions for the man that she loved. She knew how much he had always wanted to be able to meet his parents.
“Looks like we missed the happy reunion,” Sirius remarked as the remaining surprise guests, Lyra, Jamie, Harry, and Ginny, walked into the room. “I wanted to witness who cried first.”
“Mum… this is a lot to take in,” the youngest Malfoy daughter stated, slowly making her way toward her father.
“I know it is, darling,” Hermione nodded. “But… well, we are family and… we will just. We will adjust and take in this gift and…”
“And we will celebrate Christmas!” Sirius shouted, clapping his hands together. “Alright, who wants to open presents?”
&&&
Christmas morning at Nott Manor was spent opening gifts and feasting a delicious hand-made breakfast as families reunited with loved ones. Those long lost took advantage of this unexpected meeting, latching onto their grandchildren and children, learning and absorbing every touch and smell, the feel of them all. No one knew how long this gift would last, and not a single person was ready to question it. It was around lunchtime when Andromeda Tonks came through the floo, arriving to the shock of her daughter and son-in-law, not to mention cousin, all alive and in her presence. She was a puddle of tears and smiles, thanking Merlin and Circi for the gift bestowed upon them.
Lyra, though, remained stoically quiet in the room. She was still the loving, kind woman they all knew her to be, answering questions when spoken to and giving her undivided attention to whoever needed it, but something was off. Most assumed that her empath abilities overwhelmed her with the plethora of feelings and hormones surging through her, but Hermione knew better.
She knew her daughter better.
“I… think it might be my fault,” Lyra whispered to Jamie, wringing her hands as she watched James and Lily Potter hold their great-grandchild, Harry and Ginny, close by.
”What do you mean love?” Jamie asked, taking her hand and making eye contact with his mother-in-law before leading his wife from the party, knowing full well that his in-laws wouldn’t be far behind.
“What's wrong?” Draco asked, eying his daughter. He knew the emotions that had been exuding from everyone had to be overwhelming her. Lyra handled herself beautifully throughout the morning, but he could see something bothering her.
”I think them being here, being alive or well, whatever they are, is my fault,” Lyra explained, biting her bottom lip, trying to stop the tears that threatened to falls down her cheeks.
”Why do you think that?” Hermione asked calmly, knowing that if they all could keep their emotions in check, then perhaps they could keep Lyra calm. If things became too tumultuous, the curly-haired witch knew she could just take her daughter out into the snow.
”Do you remember when you and I took Ophelia outside last night?”
”Of course,” Hermione nodded.
”We were talking about hope and dreams, and I made a wish… one wish in particular,” Lyra explained. “I wished that our family could spend Christmas together… those alive and-“
”Those that had passed,” she finished, her identical eyes widening in understanding.
“I made a wish, and now here they are in the flesh,” Lyra whispered, her voice rising as her emotions began to climb. “ Oh Merlin… Jamie, your father. Uncle Harry will be devastated if they are only here for this one day. I can’t believe this is happening. I’ve ruined Christmas. Teddy… oh gods…”
”Lyra, love, breathe with me, alright?” Jamie soothed, tenderly brushing the curls from her face. “You didn’t ruin Christmas. You gave us all a gift. An unexpected, accidental one, but a beautiful one all the same. Will it hurt when they leave us again? Of course it will… but we will always have these memories to hold onto.”
”He’s right, darling,” Hermione soothed. “Everything is going to be-“
”Everything alright out here?” A deep voice asked, capturing the attention of the small group.
"Of course, Sirius,” Hermione smiled softly. “I don’t know if Harry told you, but Lyra is a-“
”Empath,” Sirius smiled. “We could see everything, remember?”
”Right,” Hermione chuckled.
”Kitten, mind if I borrow the little kitten here? Prongs has got the tiny kitten, and Moony is bonding over novels with your other little one. Swots, they both are. Not surprised in the slightest that Teddy fell for her.”
“Please stop reminding me,” Draco groaned, causing them all to laugh.
“Come on, little kitten,” Sirius smirked, holding his arm out for her like a proper pureblood, causing Hermione to roll her eyes and laugh. Lyra accepted his arm with a slight giggle, allowing him to lead her toward the gardens and into the snow.
“I know how much you like the snow,” Sirius winked as Lyra raised a brow. “It helps calm you, just like riding your broom or singing to Sound of Music.”
“Right..” Lyra nodded, her free hand fidgeting with the locket around her neck.
“Personally, my go-to was Queen, but I’m not one to judge,” Sirius shrugged. “ I’ll deny it if you ever tell anyone, but put a little Abba on, and I was sure to calm down enough to be functional.”
“What?”
“I was, or well, am I suppose, an empath,” Sirius admitted, watching as her all too familiar eyes widened at the fact that had just fallen from his lips.
“You were? Papa and Grandmere never told me.”
“That is because they never knew,” Sirius chuckled. “In fact, very few people knew. Only Prongs and Moony, and Prong's parents. It’s why they let me off the hook for a lot of the shit I pulled when we were younger. I was pants at controlling it, especially at Hogwarts, and I let it manifest in a lot of ways that I’m not proud of.”
“Oh…”
“I’m sure your mum has told you at some point how hotheaded I was. Quick to fly off the handle, emotional,” Sirius chuckled. “All very true statements. Most people thought it was because of my twelve years in Azkaban. I let them believe that because it was easier. No one will ever understand the difficulties that lie with being an empath. They can sympathise, even empathise. They can try to understand it and help, and a lot of the times they can… but it is a burden that you alone have to bear.”
“It’s a shit burden,” Lyra grumbled, causing Sirius to bark out laughter at her cheek. “Most days, I have it under control…”
“I know you do. I’m not afraid to say I’m jealous,” he winked. “But I also know it’s not as easy for you as you make it out to be. Which is why I know you are struggling with what is going to happen when the other shoe drops.”
“I… I don’t want to hurt anyone,” Lyra whispered. “I don’t regret making the wish at all. Seeing everyone so happy, watching Jamie get to meet everyone he has heard so many stories about, my daughter getting to meet you all… but I can’t help but wonder, worry, that when Christmas is over, you all will be taken away from us again.”
“It’s a high probability that is going to happen,” Sirius nodded, squeezing her hand as they sat together on the bench, facing the roses that were perpetually in bloom despite the weather. “But think about it. If you hadn’t made that wish, Jamie would have never met his namesakes, Teddy and Harry would never have truly gotten to meet their parents, you would never have met another empath, and I… I would not have gotten another chance to truly do something good in this world.”
“That’s not true. Mum and Harry told us all the things you did. You tried to protect Harry. You fought a war… you died for him…”
“And while all of that could be passably true,” Sirius chuckled, pulling at one of her curls. “It’s not the same. Your mother… she was like a little sister to me. I loved to rile her up and watch her go. She and Harry… they were my favourites. I died before I was able to make sure your mum knew that. I wish I could have been here to help her and help you. But I suppose my little cousin took it upon himself to do that, huh.”
Lyra couldn’t help but smile softly at the thought of her father.
“If this wish you made all goes ass backwards, and we disappear in the end,” Sirius stated, his grey eyes boring into hers. “Know that no one, not us or your family, regrets one moment of it. This was healing in a way that was unexpected for us all. Besides, Have you seen my face? The world isn’t ready for me to be around again, stealing the hearts of wizards and witches everywhere while turning the Wizengamot on its head. Then again… I like to believe that you and I would make a great team.”
“That I believe we would.”
“Now, enough of this sad shit,” the marauder declared. “It is Christmas, and if I only get today, I want to spend it with the ones I love, happy. You, Lyra Potter, are one of those people. Don’t make me have to go find a bloody dragon to put you in a good mood. I would do it, but it’s bloody cold out, and I don’t particularly want to traverse for one.”
Laughing, Lyra stood with Sirius Black, following him back into the manor. She knew he was right. The young witch couldn’t mourn and waste this precious gift they were all given. What was going to happen was going to happen. She had no control over the outcome. All she could control was how she used the gift of time she was given.
The gift they were all given.
&&&
The time was ten minutes until midnight, and the room's occupants were standing around nervously, waiting to see what would happen. The Marauders and Tonks had accepted their fate. They had been given more time, and they would always be grateful for that. As the clock ticked on, goodbyes started to flow out of people's mouths.
Remus and Tonks hugged their son, reminding him how much they loved him and how proud they were of him. Tonks approved his choice of bride, joking with him that his affinity for younger women was something he inherited from his father. All the while, the young witch and Remus said their own goodbyes.
James and Lily hugged Harry tight, pouring their love once more into him, reminding him that they were always there, always watching and loving him and his family from the beyond. They encouraged him to continue to live his life, love beyond measure, and for the love of Merlin, the next time a dark wizard rose, to sit down and let someone else take care of the issue.
“Well, Kitten, little kitten,” Sirius smirked. “This is it.”
“I’m going to miss you, Sirius,” Lyra whispered, hugging him tightly and smiling to herself as he squeezed her back just as tight. “I’m glad I got to meet you.”
“Same kiddo,” he chucked, kissing the top of her curls. “Keep that husband of yours in line. I expect nothing but the best for my little kitten.”
“Yes, sir,” Jamie chuckled, adjusting Ophelia in his arms.
Hermione smiled, hugging him tightly and saying her goodbyes to him, the rest of the group, and Harry. At one minute to midnight, the groups stepped away from each other, the living watching with bated breath as they awaited the disappearance of their loved ones.
“We love you all,” Lily spoke as the seconds ticked down. “And we are here with you, always.”
“Until the very end,” James smiled, taking his wife’s hands.
The Grandfather clock in the library struck midnight, and Lyra couldn’t help but close her eyes. Her chocolate eyes couldn’t bear to see them disappear, growing so attached in such a short period. It would be an adjustment to go back to life as normal. The seconds continued on, achingly slow but fast as well. It wasn’t until the chimes ended that the young witch opened her eyes.
“Uh… nothing happened,” Tonks stated, looking around the room, “Can they still see us?”
“Holy shit, we can still see you…” Harry stated, eyes wide.
“What?!” Lyra exclaimed, her eyes wide as she took in the group that remained whole and visible in front of them.
“Looks like we aren’t going anywhere after all, little kitten,” Sirius stated smugly.