Hogmanay and the First Footing Visitor
Chapter 12 of 22
JinxieHogmanay festivities and a few surprises along the way.
Usual disclaimer: I don’t own them and make no profit, except at their expense.
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Chapter Twelve: Hogmanay and the First Footing Visitor
My parents and I arrived at Grimmauld Place to find it in a state of chaos. Arthur came and whisked Dad to be with the men while Mum went off in search of Molly. It took me a full five minutes to figure out that we had arrived not only for a New Year’s Eve party, but to Harry and Ginny’s nuptials. The berk hadn’t even told me he was engaged, let alone getting married so soon! In my shock, it didn’t click straight away that I wasn’t so much as asked, as told I was to be Maid of Honour. No wonder why I had this truly marvellous new set of robes! I’m so fortunate that these robes are flattering to my bump, instead of making me look ghastly – I’d hate to ruin their wedding photos!
The wedding itself was a quick, simple and elegant affair. Ginny, like Fleur before her, wore a simple white dress with Aunt Muriel’s tiara. I think that tiara must have graced just about every Weasley bride’s head – maybe it’s some kind of Weasley fertility trinket? I’d rather not dwell too much on that, not that my touching it will do any harm, as I’m already expecting. The ceremony ended just shy of midnight, allowing for the couple to bring in the New Year as a newly wedded couple, and to greet their First Footer as a married couple.
Perhaps it was the day, or everything going so fast, but I was starting to feel a bit rough, so I went to stand in the hallway for a moment’s breathing space before the wedding reception started to get into full swing. Ron came to join me, whether on Harry’s behest or out of his own concern I’m not sure, but his company was welcome to help deal with the overwhelming evening. On our shared banter over the wedding, there was a knock on the door. Whether it was born out of habit from my previous time living there, or just to avoid the lull in conversation with Ron, I answered the door.
Last week’s sighting of Severus was the furthest from my mind tonight. That was, I should say, until I saw who the First Footing visitor was. I could tell straight away from the look in his eyes that he wasn’t expecting to see me, and why should he? I don’t live at Grimmauld Place after all. He soon recovered and entered the house, handing me the traditional First Footing gifts of coal, salt, a black bun and a bottle of whiskey. I think I can tell the exact moment of realisation on his face, that these robes gave the illusion of my figure being smaller than it actually was. His face grew paler – if that is even possible – and his jaw tensed, and his eyes became unreadable. He promptly congratulated me and Ron on our wedding, and was quick to offer a snide comment on the impending birth.
His snide comments I can tolerate, but he had to know that I’m not married – especially to Ron. I soon set the record straight with him, and informed him that it was in fact, Harry and Ginny who were married just a matter of minutes before. In not so many words, he managed to convey that his mistake was down to being “persuaded” by Minerva to be the First Footer at Grimmauld Place, without being told expressly who the couple were. Seeing as he didn’t want to attend the wedding or celebration unless plenty of proper whiskey was in residence, he could ensure that it was, if he were the First Footer. Which, by all accords, he certainly fit the bill by being tall and dark haired!
Our conversation of all of five seconds was cut even shorter by the entrance of Harry and Ginny into the hallway. I promptly managed to thrust the First Footing gifts back to Severus, for him to gift the proper recipients with. He then entered the reception with Harry and proceeded to have a drink with Harry. I could tell “persuasion” or not, he wasn’t going to stay, so I headed for the door to cut him off. Tonight wasn’t the night for bringing up the past, let alone the future, so I asked him to meet me tomorrow, well, later today really at one of our old haunts. I was surprised at how readily he agreed, and the look in his eyes, I’d never seen anything like it.
I was shocked. What did that look in his eyes mean? Was it what I have always hoped?
AN: For those inerested Severus's POV will make an appearance in chapter 14. ;)
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Latest 25 Reviews for To Know What I Have Done...
120 Reviews | 5.78/10 Average
I'm so glad to see this update. This is a lovely story. Well, if you can call Hermione being injured, and everyone thinking she and the baby are dead lovely, anyway :) I hope you continue to update as I am very invested in seeing what happens to all of them.
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Aw, thank you! He he, it is a bit of a rum situation at the moment, isn't it?Yes, I will definitely finish this story, though it may take me a bit of time. I will get there!Thank you, again, for reading and reviewing! :)
Aww. we all need our mums. :)
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Definitely. ;)Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Powder blue is much more refined then lime green. We Southern hemispherites know this. :)
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
LOL. Definitely understated.Thank you for reading and reviewing! :)
And there was I thinking I tormented Severus. I've got nothing on you, babe! :P
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
LOL. I rather enjoy a sexually frustrated Snape more than a Snape-in-the-dark (oh dear, I think I've just created a challenge that is begging to be put out there). Thank you, your praise means a lot! :)
I'm glad that Corvus is still alive as well as Hermione...but of course, that begs the question of why his name disappeared from the Hogwarts registry. You've already made it clear that Corvus isn't a Squib, since his name would never have appeared if that had been the case. For that matter, when are you going to let Severus know that both Corvus and Hermione survived? If I'm not mistaken, he's still under the mistaken impression that both of them are dead. I hope you won't keep him in the dark much longer...that would be cruel, and the man has been through enough in his life.
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
As of right now Corvus has left the country with the intention (at the moment) to not return to Britain, so his name has disappeared from the list. You're correct that he's mistaken in his belief that they are dead. Don't worry, he will find out soon that they're still alive.Thank you for reading and reviewing! :)
I'm so glad you updated. I've missed this story. Thanks for the happy chapter.
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Aw, I'm glad to hear it. 
You've made my day!Thank you for reading and reviewing! More to come soon(ish). :)
But Severus still has to find them - and Harry, will he know where to look?
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Harry is a font of information. But, he assumes Severus has already been told and is dealing with it in his own way.Thank you for reading and reviewing! :)
Oh! You threw me off for a second! I didn't expect to read a chapter from this perspective!
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
He he he. Glad you enjoyed it.Thank you for reading and reviewing! :)
"I just love this line: Inferi are a rare sight these days, plus babies make dreadful Inferi. What would it do - spit milk at you to achieve its objective? That's just the sort of random thought I'd expect a shocked Severus to have ... Nicely done! :)
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
He he he. Thank you! I'm surprised no one else commented on it. :\",3/28/11 1:51,9/1/20 17:56,0,
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
182640,17820,23561,"Awwww! Poor Severus -- no one thinking to tell him they aren't dead! :( Hopefully
Well, that's a relief, but I hope someone thinks to tell Severus. Poor guy.
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Yes, poor Severus and quite the relief. Now, does he know or do we assume he knows?Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)
Well, that's a relief. But now Severus has to find out...hooboy.
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Yes, now to find out. Should prove interesting to him.Thank you for reading and reviewing! :)
I'm so glad she's alive!
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
He he he. Me too!Thank you for reading and reviewing! :)
Severus' head must be spinning, nonetheless.
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Spinning to put it blunt. Quite a bit to take in for one day. ;)Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Oh. My. God! Severus can't find out anything at St Mungo's. They aren't at St Michael's morgue. No one at the Ministry of Magic will tell him anything... other than a couple of Aurors who were overheard discussing plans for Hermione's funeral!Hey! I've got an idea... how 'bout the MLE planning a funeral for someone who isn't dead to try to catch the murderer? That'll work! Won't it? WON'T IT?If anything's happened to Hermione and the baby, I'm gonna wring Dolohov's neck myself. Severus must go see Harry next. Before I have heart failure.Thanks for another wild chapter, Jinxie! 
Beth
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
The next chapter's in the queue, so you'll just have to wait and see. Thank you for sticking with the story and reviewing! :)
Hope springs eternal. :)
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Indeed. ;)
Oh noes! :0
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
It's not entirely as bleak as it seems. ;)
The poor guy is disgusted and upset that they have lost Hermione and the baby which is completely understandable. I, on the other hand, am happy that they aren't at St. Michael's. It means there is still a chance that there was a misunderstanding and they are not dead. I shall hold out hope ...
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Disgust is just part of what he's feeling at the moment. More of Severus' feelings will be revealed in another chapter when he has time to absorb all of what's happened. He's only just found out he's fathered a child,and now cannot find closure or information as he can't find either mother or child... It's quite a lot to take in for a normal persona, let alone Severus.More to come soon (honest), and thank you for reading and reviewing! :)
I've had a chapter I've been working on for I think three years now. I cannot, for the life of me, get it written. Like, the following FIVE chapters are complete. So I feel you.
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
I hate that! You get a story mapped in your mind, have snippets of it in exact detail of how you want it to go, but you have point A and point C clearly, but point B won't co-operate! Story of my life. (If that made sense, congratulations.) Sometimes cutting out that chapter and alluding to how you wanted it to happen in later chapters is the way to go forward. Or time, but time's a bugger.Thank you for reading and reviewing! :)
Response from cmwinters (Reviewer)
It made perfect sense!
It's a great story, Jinxie. And I'm so happy (yay!!!) that you had a chance to update now! I especially like the fact that you leave cliffhangers at the end of what seems like every chapter. It keeps me salivating for more!
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Aw, thank you for sticking with it! He he, the cliffhangers keep you coming back for more. 
The next chapter should be in the queue later today. :)
this is so sad! It's so awful. Poor Severus!
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Yes, poor Severus. He's not getting very far with the information side of everything. Hopefully information will be made revealed to him soon.Thank you for reading and reviewing all the chapters! :)
oh dear
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Yes, unfortunately Severus is a bit of a loss at the moment isn't he?Thanks (again) for sticking with it! :)
oh nnoo. Poor thing. Poor Severus waiting alone!!!
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Yes, misunderstandings are rife in this story I'm afraid.Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)
very good. I can't wait to read more!
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
I'm glad you've enjoyed the chapter. Thank you for reading and reviewing!
oh dear! Poor Hermione. Poor Severus!
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
Yes, misunderstandings abound.Thank you for reading and reviewing!
I am just so glad to see your update. I hoped that this story would be finished...especially since it is at such a heartbreaking part! I like how you only reveal snippets of the larger story in each chapter..it keeps me wanting more and to shake some certain characters for their stubbron pride.... Thanks for the update and looking forward to more!
Response from Jinxie (Author of To Know What I Have Done...)
No, it's not abandoned. It will be finished, it's just taking me longer to get time to myself as I work nights and have two small children (and a grown toddler husband). The snippets have been fun to write as they make up the whole instead of seeing too much of one side and not the other. It lets you see the whole picture, even though they can't - just yet.Thank you for reading and reviewing! More to come soon (honest). :)