The Prophecy of the Phoenix

Christmas Day

It’s come to my attention that I have trouble with spelling character names.  No, I don’t have a beta.  I wouldn’t mind having one if anyone wants to volunteer.  But honestly, does it really matter if the names are spelled right?  Personally I’ve always thought the story line itself was the important part.  *Sighs*  I do appreciate the feedback though. 

***

Albus and Minerva arrived at the Potter mansion early Christmas morning.  Albus knocked on the door and the house elf Mitsy quickly answered the door.  “Good morning Sir!” she squeaked cheerfully.  “Please come in.  Master and Mistress are still sleeping but should be up soon.”

“Thank you Mitsy,” Albus smiled and stepped inside.  He found the Weasly family all gathered around the Christmas tree in the living room.  Young Bill and Charlie were anxiously waiting by the piles of presents. 

They all looked up as the two entered and greeted them warmly.  “Can we open presents now?” Charlie whined.

“No, not yet,” Molly answered.  “We have to wait for Uncle James and Aunt Lily to get up.”

Charlie put is head in his hands and started to pout.  “But they’ve been sleeping forever!”

Arthur chuckled. “They probably won’t be up for a while after the racket they made last night.”

“Racket?” Albus asked.

“Oh, yes… they were making quite a racket after they went to bed last night.”

“I think they were trying to kill each other.” Bill spoke up.

“Why do you think that? Minerva asked.

“Because there was lots of screaming and banging around,” he answered going back to staring at the presents.

All the adults in the room laughed softly.  “Sweetheart, they weren’t trying to kill each other.”

“Then what were they doing?”

“Well, you’re too young.  But don’t worry I’m sure you’ll find out all about it when you’re older.”

Just then Lily came down the stairs dressed in a bathrobe and walking a little stiffly.  “Good morning and merry Christmas!” she said with a big grin on her face.  “Oh Mitsy, will you take some ice up to James he hurt his back last night.”

The house elf hurried into the kitchen and Lily sat down on the couch with everyone staring at her.  “What?” she asked her face getting a little red.  “You’re all acting like I killed someone.”

“It’s nothing dear,” Molly assured her with a wide grin.  “We’ll all open presents as soon as James comes down.”

A few minutes later James came hobbling down the stairs.  “Merry Christmas!” he greeted everyone.  “Mitsy dear, bring me my tea.”

“Right away Master!” the little elf disappeared into the kitchen again.

James limped over to the couch and sat between Lily and Sirius; greeting Sirius with a good morning kiss.  “I thought you hurt your back,” Remus commented.

“I did.  I pulled a muscle in my lower back.”

“Then why are you limping?”

“Because I pulled a groin muscle too.  Last night was really rough.”

Everyone laughed again and James just shrugged.  “Can we open presents now?” the boys asked eagerly in unison.

“Of course you can open presents now.”  James leaned down to pat both of them on the head.

In no time wrapping paper was flying in all different directions.  From their parents the boys received sweaters, and a few other small trinkets.  They saved the presents from James and Lily for last.  They each had two boxes sitting in front of them wrapped neatly in silver wrapping paper.  They each grabbed one and unwrapped them.  In Charlie’s box was a brand new broom.  His eyes went wide and his face lit up.  Bill pulled a leather jacket out of his box.  They looked at each other and opened the last presents.  Charlie pulled out a ceramic dragon figurine.  “Thank you Uncle James!” he shot up and hugged the dark haired man tightly.

Bill about fell over from shock when he opened the black leather box.  Inside he found a pair of handcrafted silver daggers.  “Uncle James… Thank you so much!” he joined his brother on the couch hugging James tightly.

“James, you shouldn’t have,” Arthur looked at the daggers.  “They really are too expensive.”

He laughed.  “Nothing is too good for my adopted nephews.  Besides, you should wait to kill me.  Mitsy, bring out Percy’s present.”

The house elf brought out another silver package and handed it to Percy, the Weasly’s third son who was almost five years old.  The young boy ripped the paper off and revealed another small black leather case slightly smaller than the one that contained the daggers.  He opened it and found a beautiful blue feather quill inside. 

“Now that really is too much…”

“Oh hush up Molly.  I enjoy spoiling them.  Now Percy has a brand new quill he can learn to write with.  And Charlie has a broom so he can practice to be a keeper.  Bill has the throwing daggers he’s always wanted too.  Just let them enjoy it.  Now, I’m going to go get dressed and then we can eat.”

He and Lily crawled back up the stairs and returned a few minutes later fully dressed.  Everyone sat down at the huge table in the dining room and dug in to the large amount of food that was laid out. 

“Have you two ever thought of having kids of your own?” Remus asked with a mouthful of ham.

James and Lily looked at each other for a moment not sure what to say.  “Well, I would definitely love to have kids someday,” James answered.  “But with everything going on at the moment we just don’t feel like it’s the right time.  Once Voldemort gets what he deserves it’s a definite possibility.”

He rolled his eyes when everyone but Lily and Albus flinched at the name.  Suddenly Lily got a strange look on her face.  James leaned in close and whispered into her ear “What’s wrong love?”

“I just remembered something,” she whispered back.  “You know how we’ve been using that anti fertility potion every time we…”

“We forgot it last night didn’t we.”

She nodded.  He sighed and shrugged. “It’s the first time we’ve ever forgotten.  I’m sure once won’t hurt.  Let’s just try not to do it again.”

She nodded again and kissed him softly on the lips.