A Fork in the Road

Disclaimer: I don\'t own anything Harry Potter. J.K.R. owns it all!



WARNING: This story contains INCEST!



A/N: Enjoy!



Chapter Six: Welcome Home



It was now the middle of December, and snow had fallen covering the green grass, making Hogwarts grounds look like a snow globe that hadn’t been shook in a while. The temperature had turned to freezing, and all students had begun to wear their hats, scarves, and mittens to keep themselves from being frost-bitten.



Avery had not had anymore occurrences since the two dreams about her father back in September, and so had forgotten, or at least tried to forget that it had ever happened.



“Woo hoo!” Avery was screaming as her toboggan slid down the icy hill. Maria was next to her, and the two girls were racing. Jordan and Riley were already at the bottom of the hill waving the black and white checkered flag to see who would win the race.



Avery hit a bump and snow flew into her face, giving her cheeks a sudden burning chill.



“Oh!” She spit out the snow that hadn’t already melted in her mouth, and shook her face to see the crossing line to see who would win. Maria was gaining speed, but Avery stuck out her arms and began pushing herself down the hill. She crossed the finish line only seconds before Maria, and with magic, eased herself to a stop.



“That was quite a race!” Avery said, rubbing her face with her white mittens.



“Yeah, but I should’ve won! I saw you get white-washed in the face!” Maria pouted sarcastically. Avery smiled.



“So, who’s up for a little Hogsmeade? I’m dying for some hot chocolate!” Riley announced. Maria and Jordan nodded in agreement.



“Av? You coming?” Avery paused for a moment, and thought that she should start packing for her trip back home, but then decided that a cup of hot cocoa sounded appetizing.



“Sure, but only under one condition…”



“Oh, and what’s that?” Riley questioned raising a brow, and scratching his head with his gloves.



“You have to pull me on the sled!” Riley scrunched his face up while his mouth formed a big “O” but then chuckled and motioned for her to hop on.



When the four reached Hogsmeade, they headed for the Three Broomsticks. Riley held the door for the ladies and for Jordan, and then allowed himself in.



Avery felt her body relax and her face immediately begin thawing from the cold. She took off her gloves and hat and placed them in her pocket before finding a booth near the back.



“This way,” she called out, motioning for the others to follow. The four Gryffindors seated themselves until a witch with long blonde hair came over and took their order.



“Four hot chocolates, please,” Avery chimed.



“That all?” The witched asked scratching her neck with her quill.



“Yes, that should be it.”



“It’ll be up in a minute.” Avery watched as both boys eyed the witch’s behind as she walked away.



“Seriously, she isn’t that good-looking!” Maria protested. Obviously Avery hadn’t been the only one who noticed the boy’s diverged attention.



“Look, any girl with a good arse is good looking,” Riley said in defense, chuckling and slapping hands with Jordan. Maria grunted and shook her head. Avery thought the comment childish, but wasn’t interested in starting a dispute about it, and therefore, directed her attention upon the snow-stained windows.



After a few minutes of half-listening to Maria and the boys quarrel about what makes a witch attractive, the hot chocolates had arrived. And as soon as they had their mugs in front of them, the three had settled down, and decided that sipping their drinks was more of a necessity.



“So, are you all going home for Christmas?” Avery asked trying to change the subject.



“I’m not; the folks are always really uptight when my brother and I refuse to go sing carols for our stupid muggle neighbors.” Avery coughed into her hot chocolate, spilling it on the sides of her mug, and over the table.



“Gross! Av, what’s the matter with you?!” Maria laughed aloud. The boys had begun laughing as well.



“Oh, gosh! I’m so sorry,” Avery coughed. “I just couldn’t help but laugh at the insane vision I just had of Riley going about the neighborhood caroling! I mean, THAT is just hilarious!” Riley managed a playful defensive glare, while the other three finished up their laughter.



“Well, we’re definitely going home because mum always makes the best food!” Jordan announced.



“Yeah, like her apple pie!” Maria squealed, licking her lips as though she had just had a slice.



“Well, you know I’ll probably be seeing you both anyway. Dad always loves spending at least one day of the holidays together with your parents,” Avery muttered sipping her cocoa.



“Yeah, but that’s always fun. Remember that stupid snowman we built last year? Its head was all crooked and the nose was made out of a baby carrot, and it got lost in the head because Jordan had stuck it in too far?!” Maria chortled nearly falling over in her seat. Avery began roaring with laughter, as well as Jordan while Riley shook his head in amusement from all the attention the three were getting from other witches and wizards in the pub.



--



Harry had been cleaning the house furiously. He had never been so nervous for Avery to come home before. He had a week until she arrived, and he had already washed the floors, had the entire ceiling and every wall scrubbed, had every nook and cranny rid of any cobwebs, and furnished everything to make the house look pristine.



He had gone overboard with gifts for his baby girl, he realized, having bought her a new bed with a canopy that draped down, three new outfits that Harry envisioned on Avery while he was at the store and got a half hard-on, a few new pairs of shoes, and to top it off, he had bought her a brand new convertible red Mustang. He was jealous of the car, himself, but knew that his daughter would absolutely love all the gifts, and he was dying to see her face light up when she opened them all.



--



After getting back to the Gryffindor common room later that night after going to Hogsmeade, Jordan and Riley went up to the boy’s dormitories, while Avery and Maria made their way up to theirs.



“Sledding was a lot of fun today, don’t you think?” Maria asked, opening the door to their dormitory. Avery nodded.



“I’m glad to be going home for Christmas, though. It’ll be nice to see my dad again.”



“Sure it will, you know, you could even have sex with him,” Maria teased before feeling a pillow thrown directly at her face.



“That’s not funny, Maria!” Avery cried. Maria had begun snickering to herself, and then Avery unwound and broke into a grin. She knew Maria was only joking with her, but behind Avery’s grin was a pounding heart. Avery was nervous to go home to her father, despite the fact that they had been like best friends since she was born. After having the dreams of Harry, she couldn’t help but ponder the thought that maybe she really was attracted to her own dad.



--



A week had passed rather quickly, and both Avery and Maria had their trunks packed and ready to go home.



“Are you packed Jordan?” Maria asked watching as her brother shuffled some clothes into a duffle-bag.



“Yeah, almost.”



“All right guys, I’ll see you soon,” Avery uttered, heading for the fireplace. She grabbed some floo powder as she walked into the fireplace and took a deep breath.



“Home.”



Avery watched as the flames engulfed her before entering her own grate, and saw her living room appear. There were candles lit, and the box of ornaments was out, but Avery saw no tree. She smiled. Harry knew better than to get the tree without her. She stepped out of the grate and curved her neck to dust herself off, then raised her head only to feel her heart thump wildly in her chest.



--



Harry had heard the noise while he was in the kitchen pouring himself some eggnog, then walked to the living room to see his striking Avery brushing off her robes. I swear, I’ve never seen anything so gorgeous. He made his way over to his daughter, smiling, wanting more than anything to wrap his arms around her, and as he came closer, he did just that.



“Welcome home, beautiful.”





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A/N: The anticipation of the next chapter is just great isn\'t it?