*Chapter 19*: christmas time surprises
Harry was put down by Draco and Harry stared in shock at the entire Weasley clan, including Oliver, Angie and Alicia. The only one missing was Ron, who had refused to come down to see Harry, or be around Fleur and her family. His place had been taken though, Hermione had accepted an invitation to come and while she loved Harry a lot, it wasn't all for him. Her parents had been offered a chance to take over a practice in Marseilles, and had moved down here in November, and she was trying to decide. She could still attend Hogwarts, but she was considering a move to Beauxbautons, here for a tour and to see her parents as well.
Harry's attention was on the twins and he threw himself at Fred who had been the one to talk, definitely as cool of a surprise as promised. Hermione and Ginny were staying with her parents, but the others were staying in the massive Delacaur estates, except for the twins, who'd stay here.
Fred kissed him on the head."You know we have been missing our guinea pig for our new pranks."
Harry pouted. "You say you use bad ones on Ron."
Laughing, Fred and George assured him that was still true, though harder since the little prat had become more sensible about anything sent to him. Hermione said Ron had become paranoid, and had other people open any mail he got, usually had to scare younger kids into it. Ron had thought being free of Harry would help him out, but he found most people had put up with him, because of Harry, even his girlfriend. The prat found himself less popular then Neville, and Hermione had broken up with him, and now was considering a move as well. Even now he blamed it on Harry, and would rather stew alone, then come down for Christmas.
Harry spotted Oliver. "You come? Are you going to take me flying?"
Oliver smiled and showed Harry his hand. "Charlie and I are getting married. And I could not turn down a chance to come with the family, and see you."
Harry went into his arms, and was so happy they were getting married, even at this age, he considered them family. Before it had to do with Ron, and his summers at the Burrow, but it was now the twins who he adored, and Fleur. Harry wanted Oliver to stay, and since there was eight bedrooms in the house, Draco, his parents, and the twins and their girlfriends, left one guest room, for use. Harry had not done much flying since he was here.
Draco called to him. "You know I am starting to feel left out over here. How about you give us a tour?"
Harry smiled and nodded."Draco can I have piggy back ride? I kept my promise, no one but you give me them."
Laughing, Draco knelt so Harry could clamber onto his back, and as the adults went into the den, Harry gave Draco and the others a tour of the manor. Molly and Arthur smiled as they watched Harry go, any concerns they had from the summer, were gone. The move down here away from them, Narcissa and the Tonks women raised some concern for them, but Fleur's mother and sister in law had been more then offering some maternal care for Harry. Molly was reminded what they had said about male couples, now Charlie and Oliver were to be married in a few months, and start for a child.
Harry proudly showed off his new broom, which they had all contributed to, in hopes he would feel at home there. Draco smiled when he saw Jolly who was lounging on his back on the window seat, not much had changed since the summer, and the cat had not grown much.
Fred looked over at the kitten."I swear I have never seen a lazier kitten in all of my life. Mom never wanted one in her house, said they got into far too much trouble."
Draco shared a knowing smile with Harry."Oh believe me, when Jolly wants to, he can do more damage then you and George combined."
There was a laugh from the twins, who doubted it, but Harry and Draco shared another look, and Harry's giggling raised some questions as well. Harry had never broken his promise, about not telling anyone the truth about his beloved cat, and his special abilities. Severus could definitely agree the cat could cause havoc, but they remembered also how the cat protected Harry the night he had run away. Both of Harry's little winged pets had saved him at some point, but there were many wizards who were scared by things like that, things they didn't understand. There were those who would never try to understand, they would simply seek to destroy what they feared.
