Underneath the Snow

It was beginning to snow. The snow was quietly blanketing the earth with its gentle touch. It came down lightly at first but then started coming down rapidly in a dizzy whirl of wind.

Mrs. Weasley looked up from her knitting. She was knitting a maroon hat for Ron. Maroon complimented Ron's skin tone nicely. The boys would come marching in soon enough. They would probably trudge snow all across her freshly vacuumed carpet. Oh well, boys will be boys, and Mrs. Weasley had six of them. Mrs. Weasley was really happy to have the whole family together for the holidays. It wasn't so often that everyone got to be together. Bill, her oldest son, worked for the Gringotts Bank in Egypt while Charlie, her second eldest, lived in Romania to study dragons. Percy still lived at home but most of the time he might as well not have been there at all. He used his room as an office. I really should charge him rent chuckled Mrs. Weasley to herself. Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny were the last of her children. She was grateful that she still had some wild children to look after and Fred and George counted for ten children. Those two were honestly the most troublesome anyone has ever encountered. Mrs. Weasley had enough patience for all of them and loved them all so dearly.

Mr. Weasley was sitting on the other side of the couch from Mrs. Weasley. He was quietly reading the Daily Prophet. It was nice to be able to relax and not worry about the Ministry.

Now the snow was coming down in thick flurries. Any minute the children would come running in from their game of Quidditch. Yes, there they were, fighting to hold onto their hats and find their way to the door.

"Hello mum, hello dad. Nice weather out there, eh?" said George cheerfully.

"Yes, it is, isn't it?" answered Fred obviously trying to cover something up.

"Nice weather indeed!" huffed Ron. "You two nearly broke my nose with that last one!"

"With what last one?" asked Mrs. Weasley suspiciously.

"Oh, nothing really mum. Fred and I threw a snowball at Ron and he just got a little scared."

"And you forgot to mention you bewitched it to hit me in the face! Cheaters!" Ron grumbled.

"Oh come on Ron. It was just a bit of fun," chimed Fred.

"Now you two...." said Mrs. Weasley, her temper rising as she pointed at Fred and George.

Mr. Weasley could sense trouble so he quickly changed the subject. "So guys, who won?"

"Charlie's team as usual," laughed Bill.

"You guys really need to practice or you'll never beat Charlie," said Ginny.

"Don't worry Ginny, we'll beat Charlie next time." George challenged.

"Yeah but he would have to play with a cast on his arm when you do," replied Percy smugly.

It was lucky that the doorbell rang at that moment because a fight was about break out in the Weasley family.

"Hmm.... I wonder who that could be. We aren't expecting anyone are we Arthur?" asked Mrs. Weasley as she eyed Mr. Weasley.

"No Molly. I told the guys at the office not to call me this weekend."

Mrs. Weasley still looked a little doubtful as she walked across the room to answer the door.

Mrs. Weasley peaked through the eyehole but couldn't see out because snow covered it. She opened the door and to her astonishment stood the most beautiful young girl she had ever seen. She had long midnight black hair that was pulled in an updo with curls. Her dark navy blue eyes specked with purple were lined with long thick black eyelashes. She had a very fine nose, rosy cheeks and dazzling white smile.

"Hello, is Bill here?" smiled the girl sweetly.

"Yes, won't you come in." said Mrs. Weasley a bit astounded.

"Thank you," she replied.

"Bill," called Mrs. Weasley, "The door is for you."

Bill turned around and was just as surprised to see the girl standing there.

"Angie, what are you doing here?" asked Bill in astonishment.

"Well it's nice to see you too Bill!" joked Angela. Then turning serious she said, "Bill, I am sorry to have to bother you on the holidays but Mr. Humphrey 'forgot' to tell you to drop off the K Documents in Diagon Alley and I just so conveniently happened to be there so he had me deliver them to you," explained the girl.

"Oh great. When do they have to be there?"

"Tonight."

"What! Who does Mr. Hildebrandt think he is? The queen of England?"

"I know, I know. I wasn't too happy myself when he didn't make the deal with Mr. And Mrs. Van Orden until 11:30 last night."

"I can't believe he would do this to me during the few vacation time I have! Mr. Hildebrandt thinks the world revolves around him."

"Lately it seems I've become the bearer of bad news, huh? Well, Gringotts closes at 7:00. You better get a move on," sighed Angela.

"Oh great the car is in the shop. I guess I'll have to use the motorcycle...." Bill mumbled.

"Bill you can use my car if you promise not to total it in the parking lot again," chuckled Angela.

Bill and the girl laughed at this statement. "Yes, that was among the stupidest things I've ever done."

"Bill, you wrecked this young lady's car!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley.

"Don't worry mum, I paid for it. By the way everyone this is Angela Stewart, my supervisor."

"Hello everyone," waved Angela.

"Tell us how Bill wrecked your car, Angela," asked Ron slyly.

"Yes, I would like to know exactly how he did that since you're such a good driver, eh Bill?" asked Charlie.

"Well, for one thing there were no cars in the parking lot," laughed Angela.

The Weasleys were roaring with laughter and Bill's ears turned red.

"Actually Bill's quite a good driver. I surprised him by making him drive stick shift. I'm sure none of you have ever driven a standard drive car because they're not very common at all. Most people don't like them because it takes more effort but you do save gas."

"A stick shift you say. I say, I would like to see one of those," said Mr. Weasley excitedly.

"I would be delighted to show you sometime Mr. Weasley-"

Angela was cut off by Bill and was promptly reminded of the importance of their mission.

"Oh yes. Bill, I think it better if I drove you to London. You haven't experience in weather conditions. With your luck you'll liable to drive my car into the river or somewhat."

"I'm not that horrible of a driver, Angie. I think I could manage."

"I agree with Angela. Bill, you let her drive you to London," said Mrs. Weasley

"Really mum, I think I could manage," groaned Bill.

Angela reminded Bill of the time. It was decided Angela would drive Bill to London to drop off the documents and would be back in later that evening. Bill and Angela promptly said their goodbyes and headed out into the storm.

"Bill, you really have got a nice family there," Angela commented happily as she droved steadily onward towards London.

"Yeah, I know."

***

Bill and Angela came home much later than they had expected. It was rather late. As soon as Mrs. Weasley heard their voices she rushed to their aide to warm them.

"You two must be frozen to the bone," she said with concern.

"We're fine mum, don't worry."

"Shall I make a cup of tea?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"No, thank you Mrs. Weasley. I'm actually not fond of tea in the least."

"What? I have never heard of anyone not liking tea. What shall I warm you with then?"

"How about hot chocolate? I really love that stuff."

Mr. Weasley, Charlie and Ginny also came in the front room when they heard voices.

"So how was it?" asked Charlie.

"Don't get me started."

"The goblins at Gringotts aren't exactly the happiest lot," said Angela.

Mrs. Weasley herded the group into the kitchen to have their cup of hot chocolate.

They all sat down at the table while the water boiled.

"Angela, you never really got to introduce yourself. Tell us something about you. We know your name is Angela, you're Bill's supervisor, and you're a very good driver."

Angela laughed at this statement.

"My father was the one who wanted me to drive a stick shift. One day he said to me, 'Angela, the secret to becoming a superior driver is to learn to drive a standard automobile.' Ever since that's all I drive," explained Angela.

"You're dad sounds like a wise father," commented Mr. Weasley.

"Yes, he was. My father instilled such important lessons into my life that I will never forget. I only hope one day I can be wise like him."

"Oh, was," said Charlie.

"It's not as bad as you think. My father never had good health. The doctors said he wouldn't make it past childhood. But he defied them all by living long and raising our family," replied Angela dreamily. Her father, how could she ever forget him? A vision of his face suddenly swam before her. How she did long for those days again.

Angela suddenly snapped back to reality by remarking that none of Weasley's had introduced themselves to her. It was hardly fair they knew who she was but that she didn't know them.

The Weasley's all took turns telling a little about themselves which included their names of course.

"It must be wonderful to have such a large family," she said longingly.

"Oh, but believe me it's not easy," remarked Ginny, "especially when you have two brothers such as our Fred and George."

Angela laughed at the tone in Ginny's voice. "I should very much like to meet this Fred and George."

"When you meet them, you might not ever want to have anything to do with the Weasley family again," chuckled Bill.

Their talking and laughter was a bit loud because it brought about....

"Did I hear my name?" called George as he walked down the stairs.

"Yes, I heard my name too. Whatever it is, we didn't do it," Fred defended in false honesty.

Before long the entire family was gathered in the kitchen, including a sleepy Ron and even a Percy, just talking and joking with one another for quite a long time. The party didn't break up until early in the morning when Mrs. Weasley looked at the clock.

"Aw, mom do we have to? It's not even that late," whined Ron.

"Yeah mom do we have to?" mocked George.

"Shut up George," snapped Ron.

"Not now boys, wait until sunrise, alright. But it is time for everyone to go to bed," lectured Mrs. Weasley, "and that includes everyone."

Mrs. Weasley specifically glared at Mr. Weasley who had still been discussing with Angela how an airplane flies.

"Oh my, it is late," said Angela with a little concern. She was thinking about the snow that was still coming steadily down. It reminded her of the car accident.

"Angie, you can't drive in that weather," said Bill as he looked out the window.

"Well, I'm going to have to," said Angela firmly. She wasn't going to show any sign she was afraid.

The entire Weasley tried to convince her otherwise but no, this is where she would draw the line. She was determined to drive home and try to conquer what she feared most.

"Don't worry about me at all. I'll be perfectly fine. Don't forget, I'm an excellent driver," she said trying to convince herself more than anybody. "See you tomorrow Bill at the Christmas Party!"

And with that she got up and walked towards the door. The family followed her and stood on the porch and called their goodbyes to her. She happily waved goodbye as she backed up in her car and drove onward into the dark snowy night.

***

"I like Angela, Bill," said Ginny as they walked inside their warm cozy home. "I think she's the best girlfriend you've had yet."

"She is the nicest girl. Now that's the kind of girl I hope you will marry," hinted Mrs. Weasley. Bill was twenty-four and still not married. This was a concern for her.

"Not to mention the nicest looking girl," said Charlie. They all silently agreed. Every girl had was in some way pretty and the better you got to know them, the more pretty they were. There are very few people that were exceptionally good-looking. Angela was one of them.

"Wait a minute. I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression. Angela is not my girlfriend. We're just friends," said Bill in earnest.

"Uh-huh, and George and I aren't really twins," said a disbelieving Fred.

"No, really. Angela and I don't have any feelings like that towards one another. We've been good friends for a long time. We're almost best friends."

"Bill," yawned Percy, "the best marriages have started out as friends."

"Not you too Perce. Honestly, Angie and I are simply friends."

"Okay Bill. We believe you. You and Angela aren't in love. Now can we all just go to bed," Ron said rather sleepily.

They all agreed. It had been a very long day.

***

Angela was absolutely terrified. She was humming songs to herself to try to keep herself calm. It helped, but only a little. She tried so hard not to think about her father right now. She often did because she wanted to, just not when she was driving and especially not in a snowstorm.

While thinking of happy things, her mind eventually wandered to Bill's family. Yes, Bill had a very wonderful family and she could tell they all loved each other. How often Angela had wished for a large family couldn't be numbered. It the only thing she ever truly wished for. Her own family had been very small from the start but had gotten even smaller over the years. Now she only had Nate and Aunt Kitty. Tears welled up in her eyes. She felt grateful and sad at the same time. What would happen to her if there were no Nate or Aunt Kitty?

***

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep....

"Ughh," groaned Angela as she reached across the nightstand to press the snooze button on her alarm clock. She looked out the window. Yep, it was still dark. For a while, Angela just sat in bed looking up at the ceiling, thinking about the day ahead of her.

"Let's see," thought Angela aloud, "I have to go running, eat breakfast, get ready for the day, go Christmas shopping, call Warren, take a catnap, get ready for the Christmas Party, and then go to the Christmas Party."

Oh great, the Christmas Party. She really didn't want to go but she wanted her Christmas Bonus. It would cost her though. Mark Van Orden had apparently taken a fancy towards Angela. He wasn't bad looking, not bad looking at all. Mark was very polite and always managed to say the right things. He often flattered her and she didn't disapprove. Everyone loves an admirer. Still, there was nothing particularly wrong with him but something about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on made her skin crawl.

The alarm suddenly went off again. This time she got out of bed and turned off the alarm. She yawned as she stretched her arms. It was time to start the day.

***

The sweet aroma of Mrs. Weasley's homemade pancakes swam through the air and drowned all those who were still sleeping with hunger. If there was one thing Mrs. Weasley prided herself in, it was her cooking.

Bill woke up during the sunrise. He wasn't used to getting up this early but then again, it's not every morning he had a fresh hot meal.

"Good morning mum," said Bill as he slid into his usual spot at the table. He yawned as Mrs. Weasley pushed a hot plate of bacon, eggs, and toast across the table to him.

Charlie was almost done with his meal and Ginny was washing the dishes. Ginny was the early bird of the family; well, Percy was already gone so he doesn't count. Ron on the other hand was a real log. Once as punishment for staying in bed too long, it was well into the afternoon, Mrs. Weasley made him not sleep at all that night or day. Ron made sure he didn't wake up that late ever again. The twins did exactly as they please. You could never quite tell with those two. Mr. Weasley usually had to be up by now but today he was taking it easy because you could never tell when the office would call you. Mr. Weasley was once called at three-thirty in the morning to check on Mad-Eye Moody. His dust bunnies alarmed him again. Things like that were not uncommon.

"So Bill, what are your plans today?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Oh, you know. Charlie and I are going to start working on the fence. Dad's coming with us to pick up the car and afterwards we'll stop at Fargo's and buy some lumber. I'll work on it until it's time to go to the work's Christmas Party-"

"Oh yes. That Christmas Party your friend Angela was talking about," said Mrs. Weasley with an emphasis on the word friend.

Bill laughed a little. His mother was really obvious with her hints but he didn't mind. She was only being a concerned mum.

"Yeah, that's the one. We're allowed to bring along anyone we want only because Mr. Humphrey wants to impress the Van Ordens. They are seriously considering in investing in the Bank. The Van Ordens are an elite family in Russia."

"Why don't you and Angela go together?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Mum, that's totally off the subject. Anyway, Angie's probably taking Warren and Vivian already asked if I would escort her."

"Oh," said Mrs. Weasley delightedly, "Is Vivian a nice girl?"

"Sure, why not," he remarked carelessly.

"There's no hope for Vivian, mum" said Charlie suddenly interested in their conversation.

"Well you've got to get married some day!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley.

"Don't worry mum. I just have to find the right girl. Besides, what about Charlie here? He's not married."

"At least I have a girlfriend. That's a start."

"All I want to see is my children happily settled before I die," sighed Mrs. Weasley.

***

Angela looked at herself in the mirror. She never really cared for beauty nor made any large effort to look accordingly but tonight as she looked at herself in the mirror she smiled at what she saw. Angela stood there wearing a long black gown with a light blue top and black gloves. When she smiled her eyes lit up and her cheeks blossomed pink. Her dark masses of curly hair were gracefully placed in an elegant hairdo making her look like a queen, actually no, a princess. Dad used to call her his princess.

She looked at the clock. It was almost time to leave. Warren would be here pretty soon.

Warren was going to escort her to the party tonight. She could have gone to the party with someone from work but she knew if she did, most likely they would get the wrong idea. She didn't want to get into a relationship right now. Angela couldn't help it. She kept dwelling on things of the past. It was a rather tiresome consumption.

It was nice of Warren take her really, when he could have done something much more fun than some silly little party. It was something Nate would do. Angela had known Warren for a long time. They were old friends. There had been a time when they were more than just friends but that was a really long time ago. Now they were like brother and sister always watching out for one another. She definitely needed a comforting friend close to her.

"Miss Angela Stewart," called Mrs. Bifferstaff magnified voice from the microphone on the wall, "there is a Mr. Warren McClellan waiting for you in the lobby."

Angela pressed the button on the wall to answer, "Thank you Mrs. Bifferstaff. Please tell him I will be down presently."

Well, let's get the show on.