Second Place - Romance

Despite Percy's rather unexpected arrival, Christmas Eve dinner was a lively affair with the Weasley clan gathering with their guests around the overloaded table. Severus had truly expected to find himself hating the entire experience, but he had instead been pleasantly surprised to find that he was actually enjoying the company. Charlie, in particular, was genuinely interested in his views on potions in the field of dragon research. As he recalled, the second Weasley had always had a good head for potions.

And of course, Bill had also been a model potions student and Severus would not have minded speaking with him, but it seemed that the young man was occupied with his paramour. Severus allowed a smile to cross his face when he considered the obvious joy in his old friend Narcissa's eyes. He didn't think he had ever seen the gorgeous blonde woman so happy.

Harry was talking to the twins about the latest innovations in their business. As a silent partner he was regularly receiving dividends in a special bank account at Gringotts. Harry had no need for the money, but he recognized that Fred and George wanted him to have it. Harry had discussed the situation with his husband and as a compromise they had decided to set up a fund for muggle-born students who needed funds to attend Hogwarts. There were already scholarships available for magical families, so in the end they had decided to turn their attention to muggle-borns.

Throughout the dinner, Severus kept catching Percy gazing at Harry speculatively. His brows knit together as the potions master tried to decipher what the young man was up to. Years as a master spy had honed his senses to the point that he trusted them implicitly. As well, Severus caught his young husband also casting furtive glances at his former housemate. The older man was glad that Harry had enough acumen to keep on alert around a possible threat.

Looking over, Severus noted that Arthur also seemed to be uneasy about his son's presence. Indeed, it seemed that only Molly was truly happy about Percy being there.

Bill decided that discretion was the better part of valor and he turned his attention back to his lovely lady. He had quickly become enamored of the elegant older woman and he had the feeling that he was also quickly falling for Narcissa Black.

Narcissa smiled as she ate the simple but delicious food. It could not compare to the fare usually served at Malfoy Manor, but then again, there simply was no comparison. Whereas meals had always been formal, stilted affairs; here, the dinner was lively, spirited and homespun. She smiled at her young lover; and yes they had become just that. While she had originally thought that playing the field would suit her, she had instead found that she liked the idea of being with just one man. And the fact that this man seemed to truly appreciate her thoughts and ideas was intoxicating. Cissa didn't think that Bill really understood how much of an aphrodisiac that in and of itself was.

Charlie got into a spirited discussion with his father over the rights of dragons versus magic-muggle relations. As Charlie was of similar temperament to his father, the two were unusually close. Both would rather that Charlie's occupation allowed him to live closer to his parents, but...

Fred and George were enjoying regaling Harry with the details of their latest inventions. All the while, though, they were both surreptitiously running inquisitive hands up and down their lover's thighs. They had wisely positioned Remus between them at the table so they could both have easy access to the sexy man.

Remus was understandably being rather quiet at the dinner. He was quite sure that if he tried to speak that his voice would have been a dead giveaway as to his lovers' actions. Trying to think of something else, Remus glanced over to his new godson and his mate. The werewolf was pleased to see that Harry's eyes shone as he conversed with his tablemates. Looking over to his godson's mate, Remus could also see an answering gleam in the potions master's eyes. Obviously, the two were discovering the depth of the emotions each held for the other. He thought that James and Lily would approve, even if Harry's husband happened to be Severus Snape.

Ron was keeping a wary eye on his next older brother even while still managing to shovel copious amounts of food into his mouth. He only hoped that Hermione would be a decent cook as he was used to the wonderful fare that his mother provided. And of course, Hogwarts' food could not be beat.

Hermione worried as she talked to Ginny, seated next to her. She could feel her boyfriend's unease at Percy's presence. After several years of following Harry and Ron through many adventures, the smart witch had learned to listen to her instincts. And right now they were screaming at the top of their lungs.

Ginny was determined to enjoy herself, even if her prat of a brother had to show up. She listened attentively to her friend, and soon to be sister-in-law, she hoped. Ginny was thankful that Draco was being so supportive, as she was certain she would have told her older brother off long ago.

Draco sat next to his godfather and enjoyed the rowdy ambiance of the huge family meal. Looking over to his mother, he saw that she seemed to be happy with Bill Weasley. He couldn't remember ever seeing his mother so full of life before. Listening to Ginny speak to Granger, Draco smiled at everyone in general. Come to think of it, he didn't remember ever being so happy before either.

Arthur spoke with Charlie about the many advances in the field of dragon research. He was itching to tell his often absent son about his latest acquisition: a mirror-wave that cooked food without using heat. This particular unit was particularly interesting in that it worked with the door open. Arthur simply could not believe that the muggles had thrown the thing away. A mirror-wave that worked with the door open was a true find!

Molly smiled and fussed over all of her children and their guests. Now that Percy had come back to them life was perfect. She had always known that the dear boy would one day come to his senses.

Percy noted all the suspicious glances sent his way while he ate his dinner. He had missed his mother's excellent cooking during his self-imposed exile from his family. The young up-and-coming Ministry worker looked down to his quarry. He had been given a very important job and he didn't mean to disappoint his employer. Percy smiled politely at something or another his mother said while he pondered the Harry Potter problem. He had tried to warn his family two years ago that the boy was trouble, but of course they had not believed him. No, they would rather take in an impertinent brat than to listen to their own son. Their own flesh and blood. Well, after tonight, they would finally understand their mistake.

Dinner was finished and with all the willing helpers, the mess was quickly cleared. Molly gave a sigh of satisfaction and shooed her helpers into the spacious living area. Arthur, Remus, Severus and Percy were already settled in and their mates quickly joined them with the remainder finding places to perch.

Ron nervously cleared his throat. This was the moment he had been waiting for. The moment he was going to propose to Hermione. He only hoped that he didn't make a fool of himself and that she wouldn't refuse. Standing, the young red head moved in front of his girlfriend. Awkwardly he knelt before her and pulled a small box out from his pants pocket. Clearing his throat again, Ron spoke, "Hermione, we have known each other for six years now and in that time, I have found that I have fallen in love with you and cannot imagine living without you in my life. Hermione Jane Granger, will you do me the honor of marrying me after we graduate from Hogwarts?"

Hermione gasped. She had been secretly hoping that her boyfriend would propose, in fact that had been the one thing she had truly wanted for Christmas. "Yes, Ron. I will gladly marry you!" she squealed. Excitedly, she threw herself into her now fianc�'s arms. Molly wiped her eyes as she squeezed her husband's hand. Who would have guessed that Ron would have been the first of their children to propose marriage?

Harry grinned as he watched his two best friends embrace. He only hoped that they would be as happy as he was. Shyly he looked up to his husband and smiled. His breath caught in his throat as deep obsidian eyes solemnly gazed down at him.

Fred and George grinned in tandem as they watched their younger brother propose. Oh what joy, each was thinking: a new victim, er, tester for their products. Remus smiled at the young lovers even as a small part of him felt a bit of jealousy. Wizarding world prejudices still prohibited werewolves from marrying. And while he knew that Fred and George were committed to him and their relationship, he still wished for a formal proclamation of their status.

Bill held the delicate hand cradled in his hand as he witnessed the proceedings. He was happy for Ron and he hoped his youngest brother would find happiness with the smart witch. Stroking a gentle finger over the fine fingers, he looked at the beautiful woman seated next to him and hoped that they too would soon be joining together in wedded bliss.

Charlie grinned and contented himself with watching his family's reactions to the proposal and subsequent acceptance. While he had no one in special in his life at the moment, he was all in all content with his circumstances in life. Charlie was in no hurry to settle down and enjoyed the freedom that being unattached afforded. But he suspected that if he ever did find the right person, then he would fall quickly. That particular trait seemed to run in the Weasley family.

Ginny giggled at her brother's obvious nervousness. Ron had always been a git, she thought gleefully. But he was a loveable git. The thought that she really would have a new sister made the youngest Weasley smile broadly.

Draco embraced his girlfriend's hand and he wondered if he would be able to wait a year before asking Ginny to marry him. Now that he didn't have to pretend to be something he wasn't, Draco fully intended to live his life his way. Having already spoken to his mother, he was happy that she approved of his plans regarding Ginny Weasley.

Percy watched as his younger brother proposed to the mudblood. It was bad enough that his family were blood traitors, but now they were happily discussing the prospect of mixing impure blood into the family. Absolutely disgusting, the young man thought to himself, even while he struggled to control his facial features. It wouldn't do to bring suspicion upon him now, not when he was so close to achieving his objective.

Severus watched his former student react to Ronald Weasley's proposal to Hermione Granger. Something was not right and the former spy was resolved to keep his guard up around Percy. Every instinct he had so carefully honed over the years told him that trouble was near.

The Flipside of Sanity - Chapter 29

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