Christmas came around and everyone was gathered in the burrow. Professor Lupin, Fleur, Tonks, Hermione, and all the Weasleys except for Percy. Mrs. Weasley seemed extremely sad by the fact Percy hasn't been even wanting to spend any time with her or any of the other Weasleys. I wasn't surprised, he's being brainwashed by the ministry.
"You drank a a fire whiskey?" Fleur rolled over on her bed looking down at me. Ginny and Hermione already left our room since Ginny does not want to be anywhere near Fleur.
"Yeah," I replied sighing.
"Do you remember anything that happened during the Christmas Party?"
"Unfortunately, yeah, I would much rather not remember. I was a total... Bitch to Draco,"
"Well drunk words are sober thoughts, I bet you felt better after being a bitch,"
"No, I feel terrible,"
"Just apologize,"
"Yeah right," I scoffed. "How was it staying at the burrow with Mrs. Weasley?"
"Lupin was very kind to me. He taught me English, treated me as his own child,"
"That's great, at least you didn't have to suffer all by yourself,"
"What about you and Harry?"
"I'm going downstairs," I replied not wanting to talk about my relationship with my sister knowing I'd get made fun of.
Downstairs, Mrs. Weasley already decorated the house with Christmas trees and other decorations. There were a lot of food on the table including a cake with a tiny snowman figure skating on it. The house smelled of the burning wood from the fireplace and it was cozy, like home.
In the living room, Harry was having a conversation with Tonks, Mr. Weasley, and Professor Lupin. They seemed to be having some sort of deep conversation that I probably shouldn't disrupt. Instead of walking in, I stood in the doorway leaning close to the wall trying to hear their conversation.
"It comes down to weather or not you trust Dumbledore's judgment. Dumbledore trusts Snape therefore I do," Professor Lupin spoke. Harry must've told them about Draco and Snape, the two being involved with Voldemort.
"Dumbledore can make mistakes he said so himself"
"You're blinded by hatred!"
"I'm not-"
"Yes you are," Professor Lupin raised his voice interrupting Harry. "People are disappearing Harry, daily. We can only place our trust in a handful of people. If we start fighting amongst ourselves we're doomed,"
Silence filled the room and I couldn't hear anything else. I heard two pairs of footsteps making me jump and before I could run away, Tonks and Professor Lupin came out.
"Sorry sir, I didn't mean to eavesdrop," I said backing away a little and looking away.
"It's alright Evelyn," Professor Lupin said nudging Tonks. She eyed the two of us before leaving, giving me a reassuring look. The two started dating according to Fleur, for a while too now. I probably never noticed this since I wasn't in the right state of mind the time I first met Tonks.
"Chocolate?" He asked reaching down his pocket and pulling out a chocolate bar.
"Sure," I replied with a smile taking the chocolate bar.
"How are you holding up? I heard about your encounter with Voldemort," He began to speak cautiously and quietly.
"I'm doing fine sir,"
"And does Fleur... Know about Voldemort wanting her to carry his heir?" He whispered. I chose not to think about it, just ignored it. Now that Apolline is in jail and we're blood-traitors, will Voldemort still want her to carry his heir?
"No sir,"
"Good, I think it's better for her to not know. But how are you really holding up?"
"Sorry?"
"How are you really holding up?" He asked again. How am I really holding up, I don't know. Cedric's dead, dad's dead, Apolline is in Azkaban, I broke Draco's trust. I miss Cedric, a lot. I never should've allowed him to enter in the first place, I never should've helped him with the second task.
I don't know what it was, maybe because someone really asked, but I just started to cry. Everything that happened the past 6 years all sort of crashed onto me. After all, we were all just kids when we first faced death. Professor Lupin pulled me close into a hug rubbing my back, it felt like a hug from a parent.
"Fleur also wasn't doing well especially because of- you know, Mrs. Weasley. She relied a lot on Bill, I'm guessing you've been relying on Harry?"
I didn't reply, instead nodded. Harry, the one person who's keeping me sane right now. I really really like him, even though it's too early to say love, I can't imagine myself without him.
"It's times like this we need someone to rely on," He said pulling back.
"Thank you," I whispered. He nodded patting my back before walking away. I calmed down pretty quick, I didn't like crying.
After taking a quick breath, I walked inside the living room. No one else was there except for Harry, thinking to hisself as usual. Just seeing him and being near him calmed my nerves down.
"What are you thinking about Harry?" I asked walking towards him and sitting down beside him on the couch.
"Just Professor Snape- Have you been crying?" He asked wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
"No, allergies,"
"Allergies? To what?"
"Something. Anyway, what were you all talking about?"
"The thing Draco was looking at back in Borgin & Burkes was a Vanishing Cabinet. It's something used for hiding, you slip inside and disappear for an hour or two. It transports you to practically anywhere,"
"And what happened to the one in Borgin & Burkes?"
"It's still there according to Mr. Weasley,"
"I see," I replied resting my head on his chest as he kissed my head. I heard his heart beating again, the sound was so comforting.
We quickly separated when Ginny walked in along with Ron. The two didn't seem to have noticed Harry and I were cuddling until they walked in. They were laughing amongst themselves holding and eating a trey of pies that Mrs. Weasley had made for everyone.
"Open up you," Ginny said holding out a pie standing in front of Harry, "Don't you trust me?"
"I'm not really hungry," Harry said looking away.
"Let me just-" Ron said with an even larger trey of pies squeezing in between Harry and I. Clueless, absolutely clueless.
"Pie?" Ron asked nudging me.
"No thanks um... I'm tired," I said coughing slightly. I got up quickly and walked out not even looking back, so, so awkward. The way Ginny looks at Harry, it's like the way I would look at him, she fancies him. I know Harry likes me, not Ginny, but I'm afraid. Ginny's pretty, talented quidditch player, smart, powerful... If I was a boy I'd be chasing after her.
I made my way up the stairs towards my room but turned to Harry's instead and sat down on his bed hoping he would follow me up. The room was messy, the beds weren't made at all and books were laying on the floor. Maybe a few seconds later, Harry walked in smiling at me.
"How'd you know to follow me up?" I asked as he sat down beside me.
"I didn't, just wished that's what it meant,"
"How are you Harry?"
"I'm great,"
"No, how really are you?"
He didn't reply, just stared into my eyes.
"Stressed, you know, there's the whole thing about Snape which I know he's helping Voldemort but I can't prove it-"
"That's for adults to figure out Harry, We don't have to be risking our lives every year. We're only kids compared to them," I whispered placing my hand on his shoulders.
"But... I hate to say this- I am the chosen one. It's my job to defy him, my job to kill him,"
"You're just Harry Potter to me," I whispered again tracing the scar on his forehead. I slowly lowered my hand making eye contact with him. I could get lost in his eyes no matter the situation we were in.
"Can we just... Forget about everything tonight? We experienced a bit too much ever since we were little don't you think?" I said smiling a little making Harry scoff softly.
"I guess we can," He said quietly before cupping my face and kissing me, it was slow yet passionate. In this moment, I'm the luckiest girl in the world. He gently pushed me down onto the bed and got on top of me, not breaking our kiss. I felt his hand travel towards my waist and under my shirt giving me the chills.
"Harry," I whispered pushing him away slightly. "Not right now,"
He nodded and laid down beside me. It's not that I didn't like him, we've only been dating for a short period of time. Besides, anyone could walk in right now. I felt a little bad and wrapped my arms around his waist burying my face in his chest. He pulled me close hugging my tightly and pulling a blanket over us.
"Can you stay here, just like this?" He asked playing with my hair. I didn't reply and only nodded, closing my eyes, not caring if anyone walked in right now. All that I could care about was Harry.