Book 1 - James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing

11. the Three Relics
After the initial excitement of travel and arrivals, Christmas break at Grimmauld Place became rather
humdrum. James introduced Ralph to everyone, and Ralph very shortly became simply one more of the
throng of friends and family that crammed the house. On the Wednesday before Christmas, Uncle Ron and
Aunt Hermione arrived, along with their children, Hugo and Rose. They were followed shortly thereafter by
Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur, Victoire’s parents. James was very fond of them all, and even though the house
was beginning to feel rather strained to capacity, he was thrilled they were staying over through the break.
“It’s a good thing Mum and Dad are off with Charlie this year,” Ron commented, lugging his and
Hermione’s luggage up the steps to their third-floor bedroom. “This place seems so much smaller than it did
when we were kids.”
“It’s just you who’s bigger, Ron,” Hermione chided, elbowing him affectionately in the stomach.
“You’ve got no room to complain.”
“I’m not complaining. At least we get a room. If Percy was here, he’d have to bunk in with
Kreacher.”
James and Ralph, along with James’ siblings and cousins, spent their days by the fire, playing wizard
chess with Uncle Ron or roaming the nearby streets, performing last-minute errands and Christmas shopping
with Ginny or Aunt Hermione. Fleur and Bill enlisted James and Ralph’s help in picking out and
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