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We both stare at each other for a moment. This isn't Severus's house after all? A small panic hits and awkward smile jumps on my face:"A..-! Excuse me. Must've got the wrong house. My apologies!". As soon as I said that, familiar smooth voice calls further away:"Bellatrix?". Huh? When the woman looks behind her, she takes a step back to see the man behind her better. It's Severus. He's standing close the bottom of the stairs that'll lead up to the bedrooms. So I am in the right place. "Friends of yours?" the woman asks, sounding half bored. Severus's eyes shifts from her to me. Could have sworn for a split second when he realized it's me at the door, there was terror in his eyes. Not that I have ever seen him in terror before, but if I had to guess, it was at least very close to it. "A colleague." he finally answer with the usual cool manner. My heart sinks a bit. Feels like all of the possible plans I had to start a conversation with him got out of the window. Didn't take into my consideration that he would have company. Which again actually sounds very foolish from my part. It is Christmas Eve after all. Maybe they are a couple?
The memory flashes by how I was cutting vegetables in my aunt's house a year back, wondering if Severus spend the holidays alone... Guess I now got the answer to that. Before the silence gets too long between us, I push the bottle of wine into Bellatrix's hands:"...D-Dumbledore asked me to deliver this to you, Se..- Professor Snape. And he wished Merry Christmas to you.". Shifting my eyes between them two, so they both feel like when I say 'you' it means both of them. Severus comes to stand next to her, keeping his eyes on me:"Thank you, Professor (Y/L). You must've come long way just to bring a bottle of wi..-", "Oh! No, no, not at all. I'm actually just passing by. Got places to be. Yes. I-I actually should be going already. Hahah!" the words just babbles out of me with fast speed. Neither of them gets to say anything when I'm already walking away from them. Waving at them goodbye with big smile on my face. Even in actuality, I'm dying inside. I keep smiling even I turn my back on them, continuing the way back to the train station. They looked beautiful together, didn't they?
For a split second I tried to think if she was his sister, but Severus has told me he's the only child. By every step I take, it all starts to make sense now. The reason has been holding back... After all this time... Was because he was in a relationship with someone. The fake smile on my face slowly crumbles and turns into restraining one. Without my knowledge, they both watch me as I'm walking away from them. Bellatrix has an evil smirk corner of her mouth and raise her wonky looking wand:"What if I'd just..-", "Put it down, Bellatrix. Just a minute ago I made a vow to protect your nephew, so it'll be only reasonable not to try getting me in trouble by ending one of my colleague's life whenever you feel like it." the Potions Master tells in calm manner. Bellatrix scoffs and lowers the wand:"Whatever. I'm keeping this.". Then she pops the bottle open and leaves the house while gulping down the wine. Severus stays at the door way for a moment longer. After he sees that Bellatrix won't go the same direction as me, he goes back inside.
Later that day, I meet my favorite couple at the train station. So happy to see them! Feels like all the worries I carried melts away when I see them standing there. For my surprise, they have luggages of their own with them. "What's this?" I ask with confused smile. "There has been change of plans." Tonks smiles. Can see how her belly has grown even she is wearing a winter coat. "We have been invited to the Weasleys house. Thought that the owl won't reach you, so we decided to surprise you like this." Remus explains. Both of my eyebrows raise:"Weasleys? As in..-", "As in Ron, Fred, George, Ginny... And all the rest of the children Molly and Arthur has. Those Weasleys." he nods happily. "Ouh, didn't know you are that close with them." I admit. They both seems really happy to spend the Christmas there. But I don't mind this turn of the event. More the merrier, right?
Pretty much after that, all three of us got into another train. As soon as we sit down after putting our luggages to safety, I start to wonder:"Their house isn't far you said? Why don't we go there by the Apparate spell? Not that there is anything wrong with going there with the train..-", "They don't recommend using Apparate spell when pregnant." Tonks explains. "Right. Baby might not like to be stretched out and put back together. Makes sense." I nod. "But you could go there already, if you want. We don't mind if you do. Just go to the toilet so no one notice." she smiles. "Well, first of all, I already payed the ticket..." I joke and make them chuckle. "And second... I have never learned to do the spell." I reveal. Both of their eyebrows raise at the same time:"Oh?". Guess it has been something that most witches and wizards are expected to be able to do. Almost like some muggles has this expectation to own a driving license.
Because of my past, I never got to even try to learn the damn spell. My parents denied me to get the license or even take a part of the lessons. Since my father used to be part of the Ministry, he made sure there is no way I could get it behind their backs either. Guess they wanted to minimize my changes to run away from them. As the train keeps heading closer to Weasleys, we got the change to talk in peace everything that has happened after their wedding. They mostly talk and I'd listen. Which is perfectly fine with me. It came up how they might get into trouble financially the closer they get to the last moments of this pregnancy - talk about when the baby arrives, and Tonks needs to stay home with the little human. Since Remus is a part-time Auror, his salary won't bring much income. If he was still a teacher in Hogwarts, they wouldn't have to think such things. Obviously, while telling me all of this, they kept their usual happy, cheerful faces up as in 'it's going to be alright'.
The Sun has gone down when we finally arrive to the Burrow - Weasleys home. They are living pretty much in middle of nowhere. Grain field surrounding the whole place. What was little bit surprising to me, they have no snow in here. Unlike few kilometers back the ground was covered in snow. The house from the outside seems to be several stories high and it's so crooked it looks as though it were held up by magic. So cute! As soon as we get in, we get greeted by bunch of people. Which gives me the slight panic. I don't know these people so well! Ron Weasley's mom - Molly, doesn't seem to be shy at all towards strangers, since her first thing to do when she sees me is to pull me into this big hug. "Ouhw, I have heard SO much about you, (Y/N)!" she keeps me in the hug and does this little sway emotion from side to side. Remus just smirks while watching us hugging like that. "All good, I hope." I chuckle with hint of nervousness in my tone. Maybe it's odd thing to say, but I can already feel very welcome to their house.
Soon, the entry gets filled with more people. People that I have met before. "Sirius! Didn't know you'll be here as well." I smile at him other side of the room. "Then there's two of us." he smiles back. Familiar young boy peeks behind him and I immediately recognize him:"M-Mr. Potter! When did you get in here?.". Had to ask, since last time I checked, he was going to stay in the castle over the holidays. "An hour ago with the broom, Professor." the boy answer. "Ah, I see." I nod. I remember seeing a broom outside leaning against the wall beside the front door when we came in. Must've been cold to travel all the way here. Remus quickly jumps in:"Since it's Christmas and we are all here, I'd wish we could drop all the formalities, and call each others by first names. Hopefully that'll be fine with everyone?". Everyone nods with smiles on their faces.
With that, after being greeted by everyone in the house, I was shown to a room upstairs where I'd be spending the upcoming night. Everything here looks so cozy and warm. Sometimes I even catch myself smiling while looking around. To late night dinner, I changed my clothes into little bit more cozy ones. I put on the sweater in my favorite color aunt-Ruby had made me last Christmas present with some black jeans. To avoid this lovely family being robbed by the niffler, I put Sniffy in a cage, the same cage he was back when I was at Ruby's. "I'll bring you lots of sweets when I'll come back, I promise." I smile at him before leaving the room. When I came back down stairs, I helped Mrs. Weas..- Molly, and her children to prepare the dinner. Compared to Ruby, Molly lets help in the kitchen. Giving the easy tasks for me to do. After the food got ready, we all gathered around the table - with creative solutions so we could all fit at once.
The house gets filled with light, cheerful chatter and laughter. Everyone here is enjoying themselves. They are all so fun and carefree beings. It's so nice for a change. After we had finished our plates, ready for the dessert, Remus raise from his seat. Is he going to have a toast? We all got quiet and turn to look at the man, ready hear what he has to say. "As many of you might have noticed, my lovely wife right here is carrying our precious child..." he smiles. We all chuckle and wait where he's going with this. "And after Tonks's permission, I get the great honor to announce to you all the gender of the baby." he tells. "Woah!" we all get excited by all of this. Remus places his hand on Tonks's shoulder who's smiling ear to ear already. "It's a boy!" the becoming father announces. That got all of us cheer out loud and we start throwing congratulations left and right. Fred groans defeated and hands George some money. Looks like they had a bet.
Had to get up from my seat and give a big hug for both of them. At first I hugged Tonks, after I went to give Remus the hug, the becoming mother smiles:"We also have another announcement to make...". "Huh? Don't tell me it's twins." I joke. The twins other side of the table cheers loudly as in 'twins are the best!'. Remus chuckles:"No, no, no. Only one baby is coming.". "Then what is it?" Molly asks eagerly. "Well, you already know how Sirius is going to be the godfather..." Tonks starts. Sirius smiles, happy to get this honor. "Remus and I wished that our boy could also have a godmother..." with that, Tonks turns to look at me. My eyes goes wide. Me?! "(Y/N), would you like to be the godmother to our baby boy?" she asks. "DO I?!" I exclaim with huge smile on my face. The room once again gets filled with cheerful claps and another hugs been given around. I'm SO happy!
Later that evening, after some time passed the younger ones head up stairs, leaving us adults sit around the big table. It has been so nice to get to know the Weasleys. They really are so warm and kind people. Among all the other topics, we did talk about briefly You-Know-Who and the Dementors. They gave me an update what has been going on lately. Things only they knew about the situation. After all, I am just a teacher of History of Magic in Hogwarts, but because things have gone more intense lately, they thought it'll be the best if I had some inside information regarding all of this. "There are only a few people that can be trusted. And we avoid pulling others into this mess with all the power that we have. But... If it ever comes to that, we want you to be aware of the situation and ready to fight on our side." Remus tells. "Of course. Anything to stop the madness, I'll be there." I tell them with serious tone.