Chapter 294 - A Good Surprise and A Bad One (1/2)

”You called me, Mrs Weasley?” Chris entered the kitchen looking breathless.

”Yes, dear,” Mrs Weasley smiled.

Chris noticed almost the entire Weasley family and Hermione, all were in the kitchen. Ginny was grinning widely. Remus and Tonks were also with them and —

”Dad?” Chris screamed, her eyes round as she saw her father standing beside Remus.

”My eagle!” Mr Norton laughed opening his arms wide.

Without waiting Chris ran and jumped in his father's embrace. His father almost lifted her from the ground as she buried her face in his shoulder.

”You have gotten so big!” Mr Norton said with a teary-eyed smile.

”I've missed you,” Chris said in a muffled voice.

”I have missed you too, love,” Mr Norton put her down and kissed the top of her head. ”But you are as tall as me now.”

Chris smiled and stopped her tears from coming out.

”No, you are still tall and big, Dad,” she replied measuring her head with her father's shoulder. ”I can't believe you are here.”

”I can't either,” said Mr Norton. Drops of tears coming down from his eyes. ”I haven't seen you for one and a half year.”

Seeing her father cry Chris wanted to cry too but she realized there were people around them.

”So that's why you didn't send me a gift?” she said wiping the tears from her father's face.

”Yes because I have brought your gift with me,” smiled Mr Norton. ”Wait,” he started to look in his bag.

”I hope you liked your Christmas surprise, Chrissy,” said Tonks brightly, whose short hair was her favourite shade of bright pink again.

”You planned this?” said Chris surprised.

”Nope, it was Remus' idea,” Tonks grinned at Remus, who smiled.

”I thought it will be a good gift for your Christmas,” Remus said to Chris.

”Thanks, that's the best gift but —” Chris couldn't keep the surprise off her voice. She looked back and forth between Remus and Tonks. Tonks chuckled seeing her expression and wiggled her left hand; a ring glittered there.

”You got married?” yelled Chris.

Tonks laughed as Chris jumped and hugged her.

”Sorry, you couldn't be there. It was a small ceremony in a scheduled place,” explained Remus.

”Doesn't matter, this is great, congratulations!” Chris said grinning.

”Oh, I didn't realize — congratulations,” Mr Norton shook hands with Remus.

”Thank you,” Remus replied and Mr Norton turned to Chris.

”Your Christmas gift,” Mr Norton gave Chris a box with a ribbon.

Chris smiled and opened it. It was a red crystal pendant attached to a silver chain.

”When I was in Nepal, I visited a temple. There, they were selling these things,” said Mr Norton happily. ”They said it is a safekeeping amulet. It will keep the owner safe so I brought one for you.”

”Safekeeping amulet?” Mr Weasley looked at the pendant in shock.

Chris knew what he was thinking so she explained.

”Mr Weasley, it's nothing like the fake amulets of the wizarding world, we saw the other day. It is a normal crystal. Muggles sell them all around the world saying that this brings fortune and all that but it's just fake. They do this to fool Muggles.”

”So they just lie about these things?” Mr Weasley said. ”There's nothing magical about it?”

”No, most of the time,” Chris shrugged. ”I don't really believe in them — but I will wear it because Dad believes,” she added quickly seeing her father's annoyed look.

”But be sure, Chris,” Mr Weasley gave Chris a hard warned look and Chris nodded. He wanted her to check the amulet before wearing it, which was understanding.

”Anyway, I have gifts for your friends too,” Mr Norton beamed at Chris and Ginny. ”Well, not so magical but I thought you all will like it.”

As Mr Norton got busy with giving out gifts to Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Harry in the living room, Chris decided to make something for her father without magic. And after a long time of convincing, Mrs Weasley finally let her use the kitchen alone. Chris started to prepare some pudding for dessert.

After some time Harry entered the kitchen.

”Luna is here,” he informed.

”Oh great,” smiled Chris while cutting an apple.

”You are looking happy, now,” said Harry beaming.

”Yeah, because I am happy,” Chris replied in a matter of fact tone.