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✯❀𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐒 𝐄𝐕𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐘❀✯
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The Christmas holidays were going by quickly. Some days Charlotte spent with Harry or her grandparents, those were the positive days that took her mind away from the death of her best friend, but others weren't so lucky. Some days were spent curled up in her bed drowning in her own misery. Most nights were spent with Charlotte crying until she fell asleep, still unable to grasp the fact Kaycie was gone, it was awful.
Soon enough Christmas Eve arrived, and surprisingly, Charlotte Lupin was sat on Sophia Potter's bed with two dresses in her hand. One was navy blue, the other a light pink.
"Which one?" She asked, holding up the two dresses.
"The blue one," Sophia and Hermione said in unison, giggling as they realised.
"What is it with you Potters and black tie parties?" Lottie asked, "a summer one and a Christmas one?"
"Oh please!" scoffed Sophia, "the one in the summer was tiny...the Christmas eve and the new years one are much bigger!"
Lottie groaned, she hated the idea of wearing dresses, but Harry had insisted she would look beautiful, and so she wore one anyway.
"I think I'll wear this red one," Sophia held up a red dress that had sequins going around the waist, it was quite short, yet it was definitely her style, Charlotte could tell it would suit the younger girl perfectly.
"It's pretty," Hermione smiled. "I guess that leaves me...I'll go with this one." The dress she held up was a light pink silk dress, it looked tight, it was one that would certainly compliment her figure.
There was a knock on the door, and all eyes turned to Ron Weasley, who had his hands covering his eyes.
"Harry wants to know what dress Charlotte is wearing," he said, his hand still covering his eyes.
"Ron, we're all wearing clothes," laughed Emily.
"I've heard that one from Fred and George multiple times, I'd rather stay safe," he mumbled.
"The navy blue one," Charlotte said loudly whilst the other two girls snickered.
"Okay, thanks," Ron nodded, slowly backing out of the room and crashing into the tinsel that was draped over the room.
"Idiot," scoffed another voice, and Lottie looked up to see Ginny Weasley rolling her eyes at her brother. "Absolute idiot."
"Hey Ginny!" Waved Sophia, beckoning for the redhead to come in.
"Hello everyone," Ginny smiled politely, "I brought brownies with me!"
"Really?" Charlotte's eyes lit up.
"Yep," Ginny threw a plastic tub of brownies in Lottie's direction, and she eagerly grabbed it. "So, how long do we have to get ready?"
Sophia looked down at her watch, "two hours."
"Two hours?" Gasped Ginny, "You think I'll be ready that quickly? Oh Merlin I am going to die...what do I do?"
"Two hours is ages," Sophia rolled her eyes, "just get moving!"
"Oh Merlin I haven't even sorted my hair out...Lottie, can you straighten my hair?" Pleaded Ginny.
"Hmm," Charlotte, being Charlotte, found it entertaining to tease her.
"Please!" Begged Ginny, "there is no way I'd let 'Mione around my hair with straighteners, Merlin that's a death wish....and Phia? She takes too long! I'm sure you would do it perfectly!"
"Fine," she grinned, "we better get started then."
"Oh thank God!"
Ginny rolled her eyes as she passed the brownies around the group, yet Sophia smiled, finding it all entertaining.
A lot of hair spray, make up, bickering, laughing and mirror-hogging later, all four girls were dressed and ready for the Christmas Eve party.
Charlotte constantly found herself checking in the mirror to make sure that not a single full moon scar was on show. She would hate for anyone to see such a horrifying thing on her body, and so she did her best to keep them out of sight.
"Perfect," Ginny said as she looked in the mirror, "my hair looks great - as always - so thanks Lottie!"
"No worries," Lottie shrugged, smiling nervously as she fixed her dress into position.
"I can hear the party has already started...shall we head down?" Sophia asked, biting her nails anxiously.
"Let's go," Hermione nodded, confidently walking out of the room, her heels could be heard in the distance as they tapped down the stairs.
"Are you bringing a date, Ginny?" Asked Sophia as the remaining three walked down the stairs.
"Well...Luna is coming."
"You guys are dating?" Gasped Charlotte.
"No...no not dating I just...she's very sweet," Ginny said nervously.
"Wicked," Lottie grinned, "so when should I start placing bets?"
"Shut it," she mumbled, blushing as her eyes stared down at the floor.
"I say...her sixth year?" Lottie said to Sophia.
"Maybe fifth," giggled Hermione, "the question is, will Ginny get the guts to ask her out?"
"Both of you, shush!" Ginny whispered as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Dad wants to use the Potter Manor ball room," Sophia shuddered, leading her friends to the room of the party.
"You have a ball room?" Charlotte gasped.
"Oh yes, three of them, we use each one depending on the event!"
"Rich people," she sighed.
"Agreed," Ginny giggled, "their ballroom is the size of my house!"
"Crazy," Lottie murmured. "Any idea where Harry is?"
"Probably in the ball room," said Sophia, "our gran - Mia - uses him to welcome all of her friends into the room, she says he dresses pretty and shares his fathers boosted ego."
"I can agree with her there!"
They all stepped into the ballroom that was absolutely stunning. The ballroom had waited eons it seemed, for a real heart to beat a new rhythm into the matter that made it. It was so elegant, so beautiful in every aspect. Beautiful lights shone onto the most expensive of ornaments, and hired workers whizzed around with trays of champagne and expensive wines.
It was already extremely busy, people of all ages were chatting to one another, some that Charlotte recognised, some that she didn't. The whole Weasley clan could be seen, along with Marlene and Dorcas, Peter Pettigrew, Regulus Black and his cousins, Andromeda and Ted. The Longbottoms could be seen talking to Hope and Lyall, whilst Euphemia and Fleamont spoke to ministry officials and important looking friends of theirs. Hogwarts students roamed the rooms; the Diggorys, Dean and Seamus, the Notts, the Rosiers, there were more, so many more that Charlotte could point out.
Her eyes travelled around the room, however, they stopped when they landed on a particular raven haired boy.
Harry.
He looked so perfect standing at the bottom of the stairs waiting for her. His usual unruly hair was fixed, it looked smart, yet still like same old Harry that would blush at the smallest of things, like the same Harry who was always smiling, even in the harder times.
He was perfect.
He was wearing a navy blue suit that fit perfectly, it wasn't too tight or too baggy, it looked comfortable, unlike the suits that the majority of the men were wearing, those were all for show.
Slowly making her way down the stairs and closer to Harry, Charlotte felt her cheeks burn pink. Insecurities washed over her as people looked in their direction, she didn't care if they were smiling at her or if they were frowning, either way they were looking at her and she instantly felt uncomfortable.
"Merlin, you look beautiful," Harry breathed when she finally reached him. He memorized every single detail of her outfit, of her hair, her face. He noticed the light brush of mascara on her eyelashes and lipstick on her lips. She was gorgeous and God, he was proud to say he was her girlfriend.
"You don't look half bad yourself," she winked.
"Would you like a drink?" He asked.
"Why not?" She smiled, linking her hand with his as they made their way across the room.
"Ah Lottie, Harry!" James Potter beamed as he caught sight of the pair. He was standing with Marlene, Emelia, Sirius and Peter, the four of them pausing their conversation to take in the appearance of the children before them.
"You guys look great!" Exclaimed Marlene, "I'm loving the navy blue theme, it's adorable!"
"You look beautiful!" Emelia beamed.
"She's right," Peter agreed, "you both look wonderful!"
"I see I taught you well," Sirius said to Harry, "you look dashing, unlike your father who has had only one glass of wine and is already worrying about what his mum will say!"
"I want the party to be perfect, it means a lot to her," James said, sticking his tongue out at Sirius, who rolled his eyes.
"Lottie, you look beautiful," Sirius said, smiling. He knew he and his bestfriends daughter didn't have the best of relationships, but changing that seemed rather interesting. He didn't want to stay strangers with her, and given the fact that everyone else was getting closer and closer to the girl by the day, he figured he could do the same.
"Thank you," she smiled.
"You do," James nodded, "Lily found the dress when we went shopping the other day...she said it would suit you."
"I'll be sure to thank her," said Charlotte.
"Would you two like drinks?" Asked Sirius as a house elf with a tray of champagne edged closer and closer.
"Sure,"
When the house elf finally reached their group, Sirius handed two glasses of the champagne to the pair, only to receive a scowl from James.
"They're fifteen!"
"Really, James?" Emelia chuckled.
"Oh please!" Marlene scoffed, "the amount of firewhiskey you drank before the age of eighteen, James. Let them live a little, they're responsible kids!"
"Fine, but only one," James narrowed his eyes at Harry, "got it?"
"Got it." Harry nodded.
Marlene winked at Charlotte before brushing away to speak to Alice, who had just finished her conversation with Hope Lupin.
Harry and Charlotte parted from the adults, their glasses in their hands as they sipped the rather sweet tasting wine.
"I can't believe you just have a ballroom in your house," Lottie murmured to Harry.
"It's rarely used," he laughed, "but yep, we have three. Very unnecessary if you ask me."
"They're pretty," Lottie said, looking up at the ceiling.
"So are you," Harry smirked, pausing his walk and kissing her forehead.
"Shush," she blushed. "Is that Theo and Alex over there?"
"Yep, dad is friends with their parents." Harry explained, "want to go over there?"
Charlotte nodded, and they walked over to the two boys, who were leant against the wall drinking punch, deep in conversation.
"I think it's quite mean of you both to not come and find me," she said in a dark tone, and at the shocked expressions on their faces, she burst into laughter. "I'm just kidding!"
"Hello Lottie, Harry," Theo said, shaking his head.
"Having fun?" Harry asked.
"Of course," Alex grinned, "the punch is surprisingly good. Usually at parties like this we're stuck with awful drinks like juice!"
"There's lemonade and other fizzy drinks over there if you want them," Harry laughed.
"Thanks," Alex grinned, "so how are you both?"
The four began to catch up, all laughing together and having fun, and for the first time since Kaycies death, Lottie really was having fun. She had no overwhelming feelings and her mind wasn't fixed on Kaycie, she felt free.
꧁꧂
A few hours later, the Christmas Eve party was in full blast.
Charlotte was certain she had never been to such a crowded party, however, there was a rush of excitement everytime a new person came over and politely said hello or told her she looked pretty, it was rather enjoyable.
She stuck to Harry's side most of the night, the both of them dancing to the music (though Harry had two left feet, it was still fun.) The pair had downgraded to drinking the punch that had been made, both agreeing that wine was not for them (although they both knew they liked firewhiskey, without it they may have gotten together.)
They had danced with their friends too. Whenever a well known song by David Bowie or Queen came on, everybody was quick to get onto the dance floor and have fun with their friends. It was so much more entertaining being around everyone outside the school grounds, there was no house rivalry or mean whispers, instead, everybody got on well.
"You look very pretty," said the very man Lottie had been avoiding all night.
She had seen him in conversations, she had seen him grab drinks for himself and Sirius, she had seen him laugh, she had seen his eyes search the crowd for her.
Yet she simply couldn't bring herself to talk to him.
He had been wanting to fix things, to be a good dad, to help her. He had sent letters over the holiday, he had spoken to her when dropping some things of to his parents.
Yet still, Lottie was extremely distanced from her father.
"Thank you," she replied, looking up at him nervously.
"The dress is very pretty, it really suits you," he continued.
"Thanks!"
"Are you having fun?" Remus asked.
"Yeah...it's good here."
"Very loud," Remus said, looking around, "but it's nice."
"Yeah."
"I hear we'll be seeing you tomorrow," Remus said, "it will be nice to spend Christmas with you."
"Yeah...it'll be good," she nodded.
The plan was that she and her grandparents would be staying the night at Potter Manor (where James had suggested for her to sleep in Harry's bed, and Lyall had almost torn his head off.)
"Well, I'll let you go back to your friends, but if you need anything, you can come and find me!"
"Thanks."
He watched as she rushed off to Theo and Alex, a small smile on his face. Remus was proud of the girl his daughter had become, and despite her justified feelings towards him, he was still beyond proud to be her father.
The night went on, and soon enough, Charlotte had spoken to so many different people she felt like her ears were going to drop off. When it struck midnight, Charlotte and Harry decided to leave the party and head up to bed.
When they reached Harry's bedroom, under strict instructions of Lyall Lupin no sex, no baby making and no reproduction, Lottie changed into a pair of tracksuit bottoms and one of Harry's jumpers, climbing into his bed.
"Thank you for tonight," Harry murmured into her hair, "you made what could have been a very boring night very enjoyable."
"I had fun," she smiled, her arms wrapped around his body.
"Me too," he whispered, kissing her forehead.
"Merry Christmas, Harry."
"Merry Christmas, Charlie."
A/N
Qotd: favourite clothing brand? Idk if I've done this one before whoops.
Word count: 2514