One Hundred Years

Chapter Four

~*~

Christmas at Home

So, for the next few weeks, Adrienne and Harry bought Christmas presents for everyone, even those they didn't know yet. On Adrienne's last day of school, he picked her up as soon as it was over - at noon: it was a half-day. Their bags were already packed. They would go by Floo Powder. It was already five in the evening in England. Harry carefully explained Floo Powder for the millionth time to Adrienne. She held her breath as Harry threw down the powder and called out Ginny's address. He watched nervously as Adrienne disappeared in the green flames. He followed quickly, falling as soon as he stopped spinning. Ginny stifled her chuckles and helped him up, hugging him in the process.

From the house's appearance, Ginny granted Sean both sides. They had a television and phones and a computer and lights but cloaks hung on the racks and broomsticks in the cupboard just inside the door. They had Muggle fairy tales for Sean but magical ones as well, and Ginny had a variety of books, varying from Charles Dickens to Fabina Estelle, a popular witch biographer.

"Oh, I'm so glad you two are here! I missed you even more in the last four months than in the last few years!" Ginny shouted. She showed them around before Harry looked out the window to see snow piled high and cars driving slowly down the icy street.

"They drive on the right side of the street! Finally!" Harry threw his arms up in the air with joy. Adrienne looked out and rolled her eyes. To her, they drove on the wrong side of the street.

They waited for Hermione and Viktor to arrive before eating. Hermione was thrilled to see Harry and Adrienne again. They all talked of Christmas Eve. Hermione and Viktor left after the sweets. Sean and Adrienne appeared tired around ten although in New Jersey it was only five. They went off to bed while Harry and Ginny stayed down to talk. They tried to dream of all the faces they would see in a few days before going to bed.

For the next few days, they went ice skating in the park and into the town and at night, Harry and Ginny would stay up late talking of times past. They drove into London one day so Adrienne could get a glimpse of the city she had longed to see. She laughed every time she heard a British accent, thrilled with the sounds of England.

The following Tuesday was Christmas Eve. Harry woke to his heart pounding out of control. In a few hours, he would see everyone again! They ate breakfast and Ginny took some of the presents to the Burrow. Her mother asked her continually what she was hiding but Ginny would not say. Finally, four o'clock came. They started to get ready to leave. It took the girls almost two hours. Adrienne came down with her blonde hair curled. She wore a skirt going down to her knees and a Christmas top. Harry was stunned by Ginny. Her red hair had been let down. Every day since they had met again in August, she had always worn her hair up. It was curled and looked wonderful. She wore a skirt as well. Harry couldn't take his eyes off her. The feeling of his stomach flipping uncontrollably inside returned, just like before.

Ginny smiled nervously and said, "Good luck, Potter, and I honestly hope you live through the bone-crushing hug Mum's about to give you." She and Sean climbed into the fireplace and were whisked away in green flames. Then, Harry and Adrienne stepped in. Harry was sure everyone in the world could hear his heart beating. He forced the words out of his mouth and felt the familiar spinning sensation before landing in the warm home.

The Burrow.

Ginny smiled good luck and called, "Mum, Dad, we're here!" Not a sound was heard. Ginny looked at Harry, asking him to say something.

"Where are you?" he asked. Dozens of footsteps and shouts were heard from above. They got closer until they could see Mrs. Weasley's face from the stairs.

"Harry!" she cried, running forward and pulling him into a bear hug. In the next few minutes, he received a hug or handshake from everyone.

"You're back, mate!" Ron shouted, giving him a brotherly hug.

"Oh, this is the best present!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. Dozens of questions came at him next.

"How are you, Harry?"

"Where in bloody hell have you been?"

"Why in bloody hell did you leave?"

"How long have you been talking to Gin?"

And finally, "Harry, who is this?" Lavender asked.

"I'd like to introduce everyone to my daughter, Adrienne. Adrienne, this is...well...everyone." Mrs. Weasley came forward and hugged her, crying.

"Oh, Harry, this is so wonderful! But now answer all the other questions," she ordered, making everyone laugh.

"We're fine; we've been in New Jersey, the USA; it gets complicated; and since August," Harry replied.

"August, mate? You talk to my sister but not me?" Ron said, laughing. He had never caught onto the fact that Harry and Ginny had dated - a single night.

"Well...we kind of ran into each other - literally...almost," Ginny told him.

"I knew something happened there, Ginny! I knew it!" Mrs. Weasley yelled. Ginny glared at her mother playfully, blushing a little.

They all started to get dinner from the many trays in the kitchen a few minutes later. It was quickly discovered that Hermione had known the secret as well and she was proud. Ron shook his head trying to hide his smile. All the children played together but Adrienne was suddenly shy. She stayed at Harry's side as all the adults joked over the times past. She laughed at every Harry-bashing joke Fred and George made. Mrs. Weasley always hit them over the head but eventually ended up laughing.

They all went to bed around eleven. Harry lay awake while Adrienne slept soundly next to him. All the wonderful memories flooded back to him. He wondered why he had ever left. And Ginny. Every time he saw her laugh, his stomach flipped and he smiled too. Thinking of having to leave again was unbearable.

The next morning, he woke to see his daughter's bright blue eyes. She was shaking him furiously. Ginny and Sean came in within a moment and jumped on the bed as well. They all laughed. Harry felt his face get a bit red; he was still in his pyjamas. But, he was reassured when he noticed Ginny had forgotten a dressing gown. After she grabbed her dressing gown, they all went downstairs to find all the Weasleys waiting to open presents. Even if Adrienne had been a surprise, she had just as many gifts as the others including a set of robes from both Hermione and Ginny.

Harry had finished opening his gifts as had Ron. Ron sat down next to his friend and started chuckling. Harry tore his eyes away from Ginny confused.

"What?" he asked.

"You fancy my sister, don't you?" he said through his laughs.

"I-I...no I don't!" Harry protested. Ron continued to laugh. "We're friends, Ron."

"I'm not that thick, Harry. You smile every time you see her laughing and your eyes get all dreamy. It's not hard to see."

With that said, Ron stood and went over to his wife and baby. Mrs. Weasley came in flipping through a photo album. She walked over to Adrienne. "Here you go, dear! These are pictures of your father at Hogwarts." Adrienne's face lit up and she looked through it, smiling at it all.

"Here's one of you and Ginny, Dad!" she shouted. She showed her father the picture taken after Ginny's graduation. She had asked for pictures with all her friends, which obviously included Harry. He had his arm wrapped around her neck in a friendly way and was smiling cheekily. She flipped the page to see one of her father's arms around Ginny's neck and the other in a fist, rubbing the life out of her scalp. She was laughing and screaming at the same time. Harry laughed at the memory. Ginny came to see and started laughing as well.

"The first element of proof that you fancied my sister!" said Fred when he came over. The whole room fell silent.

"What?" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley. Fred started laughing.

"I'm just jokin', Mum!" he replied, settling everyone's confusion. Harry and Ginny looked at each other and stifled their own laughs. Harry's face was still red.

The pictures continued through until the year Harry left, contradicting what Mrs. Weasley had said. A few were with Ginny but most were with Ron and Hermione.

They ate brunch and let the children play with their new things. Ginny and Hermione had gotten Adrienne various things for Hogwarts. She looked at the photo album and read the instructions to the various jokes and pranks Fred and George had awarded her with. The adults played chess and Exploding Snap.

Finally, after a wonderfully huge dinner, the time had come for Ginny, Harry, Adrienne and Sean to leave. Adrienne and Sean were confident they could go alone so Harry and Ginny stepped into the fire place. When they looked over, they saw smirks on two faces: Hermione's and Ron's.

"What?" they both said in unison. Ron nodded his head upwards.

"Look up," he replied. Both Harry and Ginny looked up to see a clump of mistletoe hanging above their heads.

"You know what that means!" Hermione added pleasantly. "You have to kiss!" Ginny bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling. They looked at each other and leaned in. Their lips touched. Ginny placed her hands on Harry's face while his found their place on her waist. They continued to kiss but finally pulled apart a moment later. They stared at each other, smiling for a moment before, "It was supposed to be a kiss not a long romantic moment!" Harry glared at Ron before glancing at his daughter. He couldn't read her expression. He threw down the powder and shouted Ginny's address. They disappeared in green flames.

When they stepped out of Ginny's fireplace, they were both trying to hide smiles. Sean came a moment later with a disgusted look mounted on his face. "Ew! That was disgusting!" he shouted. They both laughed a little before Adrienne appeared with a large yawn.

"Adri, you look exhausted. I think you should go to bed," Harry said. She nodded and Harry followed her upstairs. Ginny followed, carrying Sean. Harry waited while Adrienne changed before going in to tuck her in.

"Hey kiddo, you all right?" he asked. She smiled, knowing what he was talking about, and nodded. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, Dad, I'm fine. You and Mom were never more than just friends and I think it would be kinda cool if you and Ginny were. I mean all the pictures of you and how you look at each other, it's really nice. And I like Ginny, she's cool," she replied, smiling. Harry said goodnight and turned out the light, shutting the door behind him.

~*~

The next day, they toured the town a little and went ice skating. Finally, Harry decided he would Apparate to Hogsmeade and then walk to Hogwarts to see his old Headmaster, Dumbledore. He left early in the morning and enjoyed walking through the crisp morning air of winter. He was incredibly nervous as he climbed the steps and opened the large doors to the entrance hall. He was stopped by a talking suit of armour. He quickly explained why he was there just as a shocked looking teacher, whom he did not recognize, saw him and sprinted away. He rolled his eyes and continued up the many stairs to Dumbledore's tower. It was then he figured that he had no password for this tower so he stood for a matter of five minutes before he heard soft footsteps coming from behind him.

"Excuse me, sir, can I help you?" asked a wise old voice. Harry turned and smiled at the tall man with his long silver beard, half-moon spectacles, crooked nose and sparkling eyes. He broke out in a smile just as Dumbledore stopped short. "Harry?" he asked. Harry nodded.

"Yes sir," he replied proudly.

"Why...what a surprise! I surely did not expect to see you here this holiday!" said the old man, coming forward to shake Harry's hand. "Please, come up!" Dumbledore stepped to the gargoyle's and said, "Peppermint Twist!" They sprang to life and jumped away from the entrance. Harry stepped on the spiral wooden staircase followed by his old Headmaster and it carried them up.

The office had not changed at all. The many portraits still hung on the circular walls. Light reflected from the snow through the windows. Dumbledore took a seat in his high-backed chair while Harry took a rather squashy one opposite him.

"What brings you here today?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well, sir, I have been living in America for the past five years and while there, I adopted a young girl and I have come to realize that she is a witch. She is ten and should be attending a magical school next year but I was hoping that she could come here," Harry explained.

"Well, if she is in fact a witch and your daughter, then I see absolutely no reason to say no! If you'll just let me check, however...what is her full birth name?"

"Adrienne Sophia Eyre," Harry stated while Dumbledore began digging through a drawer. He pulled out a list and flipped through a few pages of it.

"Yes, she is a witch. She would be going to Titania in the fall but if you like, I will make the decision to accept her here as well.

"Now on to you, Harry; will you be staying in England or at least reappearing in our world?" Harry was silent for a moment. "I know you are wanted here," he added, a mysterious twinkle in his eye.

"I would like to, really, now that I am here again but having Adrienne change schools in the middle of a school year like this would be certain torture to her. I am thinking about returning when she gets out of school in late May," Harry replied.

"I should hope so!" Dumbledore agreed. Harry gave him a questioning look. "There is a certain...person, whom I will not name, that would be put under certain agony if you left again." He stopped there. Harry opened his mouth to question the man but he put his finger up. "Alas, Harry, I do believe I have a staff meeting to attend. I believe you know the way out...and it was truly wonderful to see you again." The man stood, as did Harry, and they shook hands before Harry left the school.

He Apparated back to Ginny's to find the three just walking in the door. Adrienne ran to him, scaring him. "Daddy!" she yelled. He looked at her confused.

"Erm...yes?"

"Well...I was kind of wondering...I want to move here!" she told him.

"Well, you'll be here in the fall no matter what. Dumbledore said you can go to Hogwarts!"

"Yes!" Adrienne smiled brightly but Harry could tell she was not finished. "But, I mean...I think it would be cool to finish the school year here, in England...in Alton."

"We'll be leaving right about now..." said Ginny. She and Sean went into the family room while Harry and Adrienne sat down.

"Adri, our life is in New Jersey. That's where your school is. Don't you want to say goodbye to your friends?" Harry asked. Truthfully, he would love to move back to England but it wasn't that easy.

"What friends?" Adrienne asked solemnly. "Dad, I don't have any friends. Not anymore."

"Of course you do. What about Natasha?"

"She hangs out with Ramie and Shelby now."

"And Chris?"

"He moved in November, remember?"

"Lizzy?"

"She hangs out with Danielle and Brianna, not with me."

"Rebecca?" Harry continued, still trying to make his daughter see that she had friends. He was hoping she did but was beginning to realize she didn't. She hadn't invited anyone over in ages and rarely talked about her friends anymore.

"She turned mean and hangs out with the punks. Brandon and Jason think they're too cool after they got on the Jam basketball team. Jessie and Gregory are getting into trouble all the time. Brittany and Sarah are trying to be like the cheerleaders you see in movies and never even talk to me anymore," she explained.

"Adri, it's not that easy to just move here..." Harry reasoned.

"Will you at least think about it?" Adrienne asked with a pleading smile. Harry agreed.

He stayed up with Ginny after Sean and Adrienne went to bed that night. "So, have you thought about it yet?" Ginny asked.

"Well...a little...but I don't know. It's not that easy. I'd have to give up my job and sell my car and pack and move and...do you think she really wants to move here? And, I can't just say yes because she wants to...our whole life is in New Jersey..." Harry replied.

"Harry, I doubt you actually like your job; that car is backwards anyway; pack with a spell - it takes ten seconds; she was downright begging you; but, do you want to come back?" Ginny asked, praying he did.

"Of course but..."

"Well then what's stopping you?" she replied, cutting him off. "Harry, you're a wizard living in a Muggle world where you don't belong. What life is in America for you? We're all here; the wizarding world and your real career are still waiting for you." She was careful not to mention the true reason he should come back - she wanted to be with him. "Mum would hate it if you left again and so would everyone else; not to mention the fact that your daughter wants to start over here. I remember having no friends in my first year at Hogwarts and I know your years in Muggle school weren't the friendliest. Imagine how she feels. She and Sean get along great and we all love her. No one wants to see either of you get back into a fireplace and disappear!"

~*~

Two more days passed. Harry continued to ponder this new option. Finally, on Saturday, he had come up with a decision. They ate dinner at the Burrow that night, thought it was not as crowded as Christmas had been. The dinner merely consisted of Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione along with their families. By now, they all knew of Harry's thoughts on considering his return to England. They were all anxious to know what his decision was.

Harry had thought about it carefully. Where was the reason in going back to New Jersey? He and Adrienne really didn't have anything there. His whole surrogate family was here and so was the life he had once loved but given up. Before him sat the small possibility of loving Ginny again, like he was quickly realizing he would love to do. Of course, she had changed a little but she was still the soft-hearted, kind, funny woman who had once been his best friend.

"So, 'arry," Ron started with his mouth full. All the women at the table glared at him. He finished chewing before continuing. "Have you decided if you're moving back here or not?"

Harry forced his smile to remain hidden and nodded. Adrienne looked at him with anxiety. They all followed suit, forgetting all about the food.

"And?" Hermione demanded, sounding oddly like Ron.

"Well..." Harry started. He was enjoying the look of utter fear on their faces, especially Ginny and Adrienne's. "I do like it in New Jersey, it's rather nice and the most fun can be had listening and watching Americans drive on the wrong side of the street, I'll have to admit. But...everyone has been right in saying that we really don't have anything there. Our world is here as are our family and our friends. After seeing everyone again and after Adrienne begging me to move here for two days, I really can't find a reason to go back so, I think we will be going back a bit early but only to pack and such so Adrienne can finish the school year here."

"Thank you, Dad!" Adrienne threw her arms around Harry's centre, frightening him. He laughed a little, hugging his daughter back. He got hugs and congratulations from everyone while and after they ate. Ron asked to help with packing and Harry quickly agreed. So, as soon as dinner was over, Harry, Adrienne, Ron and even Ginny went back to Harry's house in New Jersey to begin packing.

Ron was a little surprised that it was barely two in the afternoon in New Jersey. Harry called his landlord to announce that he would be out within a matter of weeks. Ginny and Adrienne went to get some boxes to pack things in while Harry and Ron started the long process. Ginny helped Adrienne pack her things carefully while Ron and Harry tackled his bedroom and the kitchen. By the end of the day - and with more help from half the other Weasleys - half the house had been packed. Harry and Adrienne decided to stay with Ginny until they found a place of their own in Alton, preferably.

On Monday, Harry went into work to explain his resignation to his boss, who accepted with wishes of good luck. He packed up his office that day while Ron and Ginny continued to wash and pack things. Mrs. Weasley was looking for houses in Alton for them and every time she found one, she would stick her head in the fireplace to tell them all about it. Harry finally went back to see one just two blocks from Ginny's house and three from the primary school where Sean attended and Adrienne would be attending. He quickly agreed and signed a lease. When he returned home, he called a shipping company to transport everything.

On Tuesday, Harry took Adrienne to the primary school and enrolled her. After, Ginny took her to get the uniform. This was the only part Adrienne was unsure about. In New Jersey, Harry sold his car and called the phone and electricity companies. Surprisingly, with a lot of help, it had taken him only a few days to pack. He helped the shipping company load everything and then met his landlord to give back the key. So as not to arise suspicion, he called a cab and boarded a plane at the Newark Airport to London, where he could Apparate safely to Ginny's.

It took three days for everything to arrive, during which time, Harry and Adrienne remained with Ginny, who was quite happy to have the company. Also during this time, Adrienne started her first day of school in Alton, England.

She walked there in her new uniform with Harry and Ginny but refused to let them walk her any further than the entrance. Harry wished her luck and they left with a smile. She promised she would walk home with Sean.

She found her classroom and entered to find a group of other ten year olds and a short, fat teacher sitting at the desk at the front of the room. Adrienne went up to her and explained that she was the new student, Adrienne Eyre-Potter. The teachers name was Mrs. Lexington. She told Adrienne where to sit - the third desk in the last row on the left - before the bell rang. All the students rushed to their seats and the room was suddenly quiet.

"All right, class, we have a new student today. Adrienne, why don't you come up and introduce yourself?" she suggested. Adrienne rose and went to the front of the class.

"My name is Adrienne and I'm from Old Tappan, New Jersey - the U.S. My dad and I moved here over the break..." she started. Immediately a hand shot up.

"Have you ever been to New York City?" asked a girl in the third row; she sat next to Adrienne.

"We went there a lot and I lived in The Village until I was five," she replied, happy someone was interested.

"Did you live in America your whole life?" asked one boy in the back.

"Yes."

"What's your favourite thing to do?" the teacher inquired.

"Um...I like music and I play the violin...and I like to write," she replied honestly. No one really knew that she liked to write but she had decided that she wasn't going to hide this time.

"What do you like to write?" questioned a small girl on the far right.

"Anything really, poems, short stories, long stories, even music."

"Who's your favourite band?" asked a boy in the middle of the room.

"Probably Hoobastank. It's an American band from about eight years ago but some of their songs are kinda cool.

"Well, Adrienne, why don't you sit down? I'll give you the things you need throughout the day." Adrienne sat down quietly as the teacher started to explain what they were to do that day. Just a moment later, she received a note from the girl next to her.

Adrienne -

Hope I spelled that right. I'm Gina. I think I saw you walking to school this morning with a red haired lady and black hair man and blonde boy...I don't think I live far from you. It's cool that you lived in New York City for five years! I've only been there once when I was really little but that's where my mum grew up so I want to go again. Did you like it?

Gina

Adrienne tried not to look 'dumb' by smiling but grabbed a pencil and began writing back.

I loved it there! My favorite - scratch that...favourite (strange spelling!) place was SoHo - they had some really awesome shops. My mom - mum - used to take me there all the time.

That was me you saw! My dad's the black haired man - his name is Harry - and Ginny is his friend. Sean is the blonde boy - he's five. He's in the...reception class - I think. In New Jersey, we call it kindergarten.

I live three blocks from here...what about you?

Adrienne

So, they passed notes for a majority of the time until the morning break. Gina helped Adrienne to understand a few things like the years in English schools. They went back into class while the teacher started their reading assignment. They were starting a book called Cheaper by the Dozen. Adrienne had already read it but it was a good book. The teacher called on her to read first. After hearing a few of the other students talking with their British accents, she felt a little different but didn't mind. No one seemed to care.

At lunch, she and Gina sat together along with a group of other students including a tall girl named Rachel, another named Ashley and a third named Paula. She was welcomed into their group immediately.

She kept her promise by walking Sean home but Gina came with them. As it turned out, she lived just across the street from Adrienne. They parted ways after promising to see each other the next day. Adrienne went inside to find her dad unpacking more things into their new home.

The new house was a three bedroom house with a kitchen, dining room, family room and lounge. Her bedroom was much larger than the one she had occupied in Old Tappan. It overlooked the garden and had a perfect view of the sunset. Her furniture had just arrived. Harry had asked the shippers to put it in her room but gave her the chance to decide where everything should go. He helped her put the furniture in place and then she decorated it. They ate their first dinner in the new house and then Adrienne did her homework.

Harry continued to settle them into the new house for the next few days while Adrienne enjoyed her new school and new friends. Harry enjoyed listening to her tell him everything about her day as she once had. It was the first time he realized that since the beginning of her fifth grade year, she hadn't done that.

So, Christmas had brought more than just the pleasures of seeing lost friends and family again. Harry was finally able to breathe in the English air. Adrienne was ecstatic all the time. He was reunited with the Weasley and best of all: Ginny was just a few blocks away.