This is a sequal to my story: Something About Christmas Time. Enjoy!

I am late. I am always late, so it doesn't really matter. The fact that I am a little tipsy might be a problem. I am horrible on my feet as it is, so this might make it worse. I'll just have to be extra careful.

I think I can manage this- even though I know I am going to be on trial. I am always on trial just because of who I am.

I enter Grimmauld Place with long, seaweed green hair, and blue eyes. I hope I look like a mermaid, but I probably just look like a fish.

I like it though. I have my hood up because of the wind, and not like a previous time when I looked like my aunt. Nobody wanted to know me then.

At least I can always prove myself loyal to the Order, even if some think my choices are questionable.

Two members are already in a debate. I don't know who exactly.

I stub my toes, and wake the portrait. She screeches threats and blame from her spot in the wall.

I enter into the kitchen and see that mostly everyone is here already, and that the "debate" is between Mundungus and Mad Eye.

Do I care what is its about? Nope. But if Mad Eye is fired up it can't be good.

Everyone's eyes go to me. At least I look like me, and there's no animosity. I can ease my way onto the bench next to Hestia Jones and feel like I actually belong.

"You're not late-well you are, but we haven't started yet. We're waiting for Kingsley, Albus Dumbledore and Remus-" the last part she kind of winces.

"No worries. I can be Professional-sorta."

She recalls recent events at the Ministry and we smile together.

"You're bold," she says and I just shake my head. Unconsciously, I realize that I've stuffed my hair into the hood of my zip-up jacket completely.

I shouldn't have to. I'm better now. Ha. Better now, to the point I can make eye contact with Mad Eye Moody. I know what he is going to say to me. I don't need to hear it on top of seeing Remus tonight.

I look at the people around me; those engaged in their own conversations. My eyes catch Severus Snape's and I give a tiny nod. A while back we had a night together after drinking at a bar. He wanted something I had, and he got it.

A commotion hushes everyone as Albus Dumbledore, Kingsley and Remus enter the room. My heart beat increases- along with the fact that Kingsley holds today's paper in his wrapped hand. He sits next to me. I put a hand on his bandaged one, and he puts his other on top of mine.

"Thank you for your help the other night."

I nod. "Of course."

Albus Dumbledore starts the meeting by taking the newspaper from Kingsley where the headline reads:

They walk amongst us: the guilty, the spies and the untrusting.

Oh great, me! Everyone's eyes go to me, or they could be on Kingsley, even Hestia-no, me.

Oh boy.

"Typical. If we're fighting amongst ourselves they can work above us. Instead of chasing them, we're chasing each other. I for one am getting chased. I'm being watched. I've been followed the last two weeks in my own freaking job. If you've read the article they use the words "careful." They want to be "careful" of those who come from dangerous families."

"I've never gave them any reason to consider me a person to be "watched." I worked hard to get to where I am. I am not going to screw it up now. If my loyalties are not proof by now…" I sit back in a slouch. There is no back to the bench, and I can't sit tall anymore. I don't feel tall, I feel small and keep getting smaller.

Albus, who stands at the head of the table keeps his kind eyes on me. They twinkle. They are understanding and knowing. I don't deserve to be under them, but here I am. He says to me, "I have never had second thoughts about you. I chose you because I know your true heart. I know where you come from, and from which you have grown and learned. I would never doubt you."

I just nod stupidly because that's all I can do. Do I believe him against the mentality of those at the Ministry, and in this room?

"Why the suspension Nymphadora?" Moody pipes in from down the table, and any hope that the conversation would take a different direction disappears fast, and it all stays on me.

Mad Eye Moody has been my mentor since day one. He knows me like a book. He knows me better than myself, and he knows at this exact moment I do not want the attention on me, so I cant understand why he just asked me that question in front of everyone. Only Kingsley and Hestia sort of the know the story-the funny aspects.

I actually feel the pit of my stomach drop out. I wonder what Remus thinks about it. I know he feels nothing for me. He knows my loyalties and respects them, but my feelings and heart, he crushed that into a million pieces. He broke every last feeling I had in me. I have not looked for a real relationship since. I've only sought out quick acts of nothing to fill the void I cannot fill.

Well, except for food.

My eyes go to him. My eyes, my scowl, maybe even some kind of pain is mixed in my disbelief. I was looking for an escape from those with their eyes on me, but I won't get it. "I had a little fun. My fun turned into their nightmare. The end."

The look on Albus Dumbledore's face isn't hard to read at all. He saves me, or him the energy to formulate a come back, or a raised voice, because he continues with other projects the Order has been working on. The conversation actually turns positive because there are moves that push in a positive direction rather than a negative one.

I can't wait to fly out of here. The minute the meeting is over I will be out the door whether on my feet, or on my hands bloody and scraped.

"Nymphadora, can I see you for a moment?" Moody says once the meeting is over. He wants to finish words with another. I agree, even though I really don't want to. I leave the room to talk with Molly and Arthur. Moody comes out and pulls me into another room where no one else is. I put three feet between us. I know why I'm flying off the handle. I don't know why he fueled it, or why he's put me against him. I don't need this. I need reassurance right now, not more poised questions in my direction.

"I knew from day one that you would be a positive aspect to both the Ministry and the Order, but what you did for the last three days has got to be the dumbest thing you could think to do. You gave them a reason to suspect you, and to prove their suspicions. They can use this against you now. You opened the door to your demise."

I'm feeling real heated; partly because of the closed in room, and mostly because of this conversation. I pull my hood down. One glance at the hair down my front makes me relieved to see that its still green.

"Open what door? The door that's always been open? I'm fed up. I'm tired of having to do extra just to be on level with everyone else. They should be happy to have someone as skilled as myself. I bring asset they apparently can't see. They won't have to see my face for nine days."

"You just don't get it." He walks away leaving me there. I should be mad at the accusation, but I feel hurt for all of three seconds before anger returns. I bury it down two levels because I have to meet with Albus Dumbledore.

Molly lifts my spirits. It doesn't take much because she knows how to fix just about everything.

Except me for long. The feeling leaves because I have to say something to Remus. I have to greet him somehow. He's talking to Kingsley when I walk up to him. He looks up at me. I stand on tiptoes and place a kiss on his cheek.

"I hope you are well Nymphadora."

That's it. After what just happened, and that's what he says to me.

"No better than usual, excuse me."

I fly out of there and find Albus Dumbledore. I have to keep it together a little bit longer. Unfortunately, a tear leaks down my cheek slowly. Damn.

He wipes it away. I look away, and up to regain myself. I compose myself and even manage a chuckle. He says, "since you have scavenged some free time…"

That lifts me up just a little.