Mila had put her worries out of her mind since her talk with McGonagall. In fact, she had hardly thought much about it. The Christmas holidays had come sooner than expected. She didn't think she could do it, but Mila managed to get through the mountain of work she had before the break started. Even Ron had made it out alive.

They sat in the train compartment together, excited to be away from Hogwarts for a change. As much as she loved Hogwarts, this was a much deserved break. She was sad to see the back of Ron and Hermione, and the others in her year, but at least she had Harry. That was enough for her.

When the train got to the station, she had given Ron and Hermione tight hugs before saying farewell. She noticed Ron motion to Harry, giving him a thumb's up, with a pointed look on his face. Harry nodded to him and the pair left the station.

She and Harry had to make their own way to Sirius' house, as he wasn't allowed to leave on the account of being an escaped prisoner. They grabbed a taxi, and Harry had fronted the fairly expensive fare. He knew Mila had some money from an unknown relative tucked away somewhere in the bank, but he always paid for things when he could. Thanks to his own parents he had plenty to last him for a lifetime, and he had never asked Mila exactly how much had been left to her, but she always seemed to make do. When they got out of the taxi, Harry stopped her before she went any further.

"Mila, I was hoping to talk to you about something." He looked nervous, but Mila was too cold to notice.

"Ok, but can it wait. It's freezing out here," she said as she rubbed her hands together. He nodded and they made their way to the front door.

The second they made it through the door to Sirius' house, he was ready and waiting. Harry dropped his bags and reached to hug him. Both were ecstatic to see each other, and Mila looked fondly at the pair as she watched them. When they broke apart, Sirius gave a look between her and Harry before she gave him her own hug.

She'd forgotten how handsome Sirius was, though she knew she shouldn't think it. Remus wasn't half bad either. She would never tell Harry this though, the last thing he wanted was to think of his dad's old school friends in that way. They weren't that old though. Somewhere along the line she had worked out they were in their mid-thirties, that was a very loose estimate, but she knew Harry's parents had been young when they had him. Sirius used to say they were eager to start a family.

Mila broke from her hug, "Well, well, well. If it isn't the notorious Padfoot. You know, Harry, I think we have a celebrity in our midst."

Harry chuckled, "You might be right Mila, should I ask for his autograph?"

"You better," Mila played along, "We might miss our chance and never see him again."

Sirius looked a bit like he'd seen a ghost, "It's just like old times. You get more like your father everyday, Harry. And Mila of course, she's-" he coughed, "Uh what I mean to say is, you've grown."

She gave him a odd look, "Thanks? It's all that calcium I guess. I've got excellent bone density."

She cracked her knuckles jokingly and Sirius gave her a warm smile, "I'm sure you have."

She remembered another reason why she liked Sirius, he always seemed to get her sense of humour.

"Well, you kids better get unpacked. I've got both your rooms set up and everything."

Mila picked up her bags, "We're not sharing?" she joked.

She heard Harry sputter and thought she saw some colour reach his cheeks, Sirius on the other hand, seemed to have turned white.

Sirius, once more, looked between them, "I hadn't realised that-"

Mila laughed, "Relax, I'm just kidding."

She got the sense her joke hadn't been well received though, as Harry didn't look at her when they climbed up the stairs. Sirius seemed to be getting over his shock at the thought of Mila and Harry sharing a room and took a while to follow them. Mila wouldn't be kidding about that again any time soon.

"Read the room," she told herself quietly, before laughing a little to herself. Boys, she thought.

They settled in pretty quickly. For some reason, Lupin wouldn't be joining them for a few days, and Mila was disappointed. She always wished Lupin and Sirius could spend more time together.

Her, Harry and Sirius had already started playing a bunch of board games that were lying around. It would be fun for a while, but she got the sense that wouldn't tide them over for two weeks. No wonder Sirius was bored.

They were playing cards, and Harry was losing. Hard. Mostly because Mila was cheating. They spoke as they continued their game.

"Hey, Sirius, I found something funny in the girls bathroom the other day," Mila said, remembering her discovery.

Sirius lifted an eyebrow, "Oh? And that was?"

"Someone wrote 'Owl Sirius 'Hot Rod' Black for good time'" Mila laughed. Harry joined in.

"Believe it or not, I was quite a ladies man back in the day," Sirius said.

This just made Mila and Harry laugh even harder.

"I was!" he insisted. "Besides I think I know who wrote it," he added quietly.

Neither heard because Mila had just put down another winning hand. Frustrated at losing another round, Harry threw his hand down.

"It's no use! You're both too conniving for your own good."

Mila pretended not to know what he was talking about, "Me? Conniving?"

Harry grinned at her, "Yes, you. And I'm not totally convinced that you aren't cheating, either!"

"Do you hear that Sirius? He accuses me of cheating?" Mila looked to him for help.

"Yes he is! Because you are cheating! Which is rather annoying because usually when I cheat I win, and that's just not happening at the moment." Sirius' eyes glinted.

"Are you telling me I'm surrounded by accusers and cheaters? Well thanks gentlemen, but I think I shall take my winnings and bid you adieu." She rose up and scooped up the knuts they had been playing with. She tried not to laugh as she turned away and began walking, but was stopped when Sirius plucked a card out from her back jean pocket.

She turned to him, mocking sheepishness, "I was just holding it?"

Sirius laughed, "Come on, you can do better than that." He leaned back in his chair, excited to hear what she came up with.

"Well you obviously planted it there. You said it yourself, you are a cheat."

"Better! How about it just fell into your pocket?" he grinned. She suspected he hadn't had this much fun in a long time. Since her and Harry had entered the house, he had been nothing but smiles.

Mila sat down again, and turned towards him, "Hmm, I was sitting on my wand and a silent accio flew the card there all by itself. I can do silent spells, you know."

Harry watched the two curiously as they came up with more and more reasons the card had been in her pocket.

"I'm glad you too don't spend more time together. Just imagine the trouble Mila would get into then," Harry finally said, interrupting them.

Sirius raised an eyebrow, but didn't look angry at all. "Yes, Remus told me you've been getting a lot of detentions."

Mila laughed, "That's nothing new. I've been getting detentions since first year."

Sirius chuckled wistfully, "I bet you have. We used to- that is, James and I did too."

"I know," she grinned.

"You do?" he asked curiously. Mila figured he probably liked the idea of his reputation still hanging around.

"Yeah, Harry told me all about it." She gave Harry a smile. "And of course you guys are legends. I wished I'd been around when you were still back at school. Imagine the hexes I could pull then!"

"Hmm, imagine," Sirius said, "Still, it's nice to hear stories are still making their way around the school. Anyway, if you excuse me, I have some business that needs attending."

He rose abruptly, and left the room, leaving Harry and Mila sitting at the dining table.

Mila rose her eyebrows to Harry, "That was weird."

Harry nodded, but didn't say anything.

Mila prodded some more, "Do you think he's bored of us already?"

Harry frowned, and Mila quickly retracted, "No, I'm sorry. Of course he's not bored of you. He just left so quickly is all."

"That's not it."

He was speaking in short sentences, a sure sign Mila had picked up over the years, that something was troubling him.

"Well? What is it?" She looked concernedly at her friend.

Harry turned to meet Mila's eye, "Just… the way he looks at you, Mila? Its the look he gets when he starts talking about my dad."

Sirius got out of his weird mood, and in the following days before Christmas, they played games, drank a little (it was Sirius' house they were in after all) and learned more about Harry's dad. Mila knew that was one of the main reasons Harry loved coming here, he eagerly sought out any ties to his past.

Mila was full of festive cheer, and one day, after she came back from the shops, she told the boys they were decorating the house. Unbeknownst to her, Lupin had arrived while she was out.

"What's all this?" He raised his eyebrows at the shopping bags weighing down her arms.

"Hey, Professor! They're supplies. This place is getting some Christmas spirit!"

Harry walked toward her and took some of the bags,"Where are we going to put all this?"

"Well, I've got tinsel for the windows, some ornaments. I also have some baubles, so if we can convince a certain someone to get a tree…" she reeled off, giving Sirius a pointed look.

Sirius glanced at Lupin before giving into Mila's look, "Fine, we can go pick one out." He grinned at her excitedly, but Mila noticed Lupin looked less than impressed.

"Don't give me that look, Lupin. It's Christmas!" she reasoned. Lupin gave her a small smile before nodding.

"Whatever you say, Mila."

It took the rest of the afternoon to decorate the house. It was so big, Mila had to give up on doing every room, so she settled for all the rooms they frequented. The dining, the lounge and the kitchen. The tree was magnificent. Sirius had let her pick the nicest one, saying he had the gold for it anyway, and not to worry about the price. Just like Harry, she had thought, and did what he said.

She had Christmas music on as they all helped finish decorating the tree. As Mila watched the three males argue over where to put some tinsel, she smiled to herself. They all looked so happy together, and already this was one of the best Christmases she'd ever had. Sirius was trying to take charge, but Harry wasn't letting him. And Lupin, he was try to negotiate between the other two.

She didn't know why, but she got the strangest sense of deja vu as she looked at them. Lupin was the first one to notice her stare and turned to her.

"You ok, Mila?" he asked. He couldn't help the worry that slipped into his question, and hoped she wouldn't notice. Sirius heard him, and looked toward both of them as she answered.

She shook herself out of her stupor, "Yeah. Just happy."

Sirius grinned broadly and Lupin too, despite himself.

"We're happy to have you," Sirius said pointedly.

He noticed Lupin was eyeing him carefully and mouthed 'what' defensively. Lupin just rolled his eyes at him, and Sirius knew he was going to get a talking to later.

"I'm excited to see everyone tomorrow," Mila spoke. They were off to the Burrow for Christmas Day and of course Mrs Weasley had made them promise to come for the whole day. She was probably intent to stuff all their faces.

"Me too," Harry agreed. He was missing Ron and Hermione. Mila was too.

"It will be nice to get out of this house," Sirius mused.

"Hey, whenever you want me to start taking you for walks I'm game," Mila said.

He gave her a serious look, "I'm a desperate man, I may just take you up on that."

Lupin intervened, "Ok you two. Let's just get on with this damn tree." He pretended to be annoyed, but Mila saw the smile he tried to hide as he resumed decorating the tree.

Mila was met with Mrs Weasley as soon as she walked through the door. The elder woman wrapped her arms around her and squeezed her tight. Sirius, Lupin and Harry all edged away, worried they would be next.

"You're here! Oh my dear let me get a look at you!" She moved her hands so they were now on Mila's cheeks, and she studied her from head to toe.

"You've grown so much! You're getting so beautiful."

Mila laughed bewilderedly as Mrs Weasley continued to shower her with compliments. It went on for a while actually. She met Lupin and Sirius' eyes and gave a helpless look. Mrs Weasley's grip was starting to get a little uncomfortable, but Mr Weasley put a hand on his wife's arm to draw her away.

"I think she gets it, Molly," he said to her.

"Oh I know, I know. But look at her Arthur, she's just like-"

"I can see that, Molly," he interrupted her. Mila watched as he exchanged a look with Lupin, and held a tearful Molly by his side, "It's nice to see you, Mila."

Mila was confused by the strange greetings from them both, but smiled warmly at Mr Weasley.

"You too. How are the boys?"

Mr Weasley laughed, "Eagerly waiting to see you. Go on through."

She grinned and began to motion to Harry to follow before realising that Molly had gotten ahold of him now. Lupin and Sirius exchanged greetings with Arthur, but they didn't look like they were having a nice conversation. Mila frowned. It was Christmas, where was all the cheer?

Harry finally broke free and they left the adults to walk further into the house. Mr Weasley was right, all the kids were waiting for them there. Mila was most excited to see Fred and George, and they impatiently swept her up in a hug before she could say hello to anyone else.

"We heard you set Malfoy's desk on fire," Fred grinned.

"Brilliant," George chimed in.

She laughed, "It singed off his eyebrows and he had to go to Madam Pomfrey to regrow them."

"Double brilliant," they both said.

"It's harder with you guys gone, I'm a one man operation. Don't have the time to pull off anything clever anymore," she complained, and the twins exchanged a look.

"Don't fret. We've been thinking off a few tricks you can pull."

The twins dragged her to the corner of the room and began whispering quietly. Harry stood with Ron and Hermione and watched the three of them.

"We shouldn't let them be in the same room together. Mila will be in detention all term once we go back," he said.

Ron laughed, 'We get it mate. You miss her when she's not by your side every minute of the day."

Harry huffed, "That's not what I meant, Ron."

"Could've fooled me." Ron raised his eyebrows.

Hermione smacked him, "Stop teasing him, Ronald."

Harry gave Ron a pointed look as he sneakily gestured to Hermione, "Yeah. Don't tease me Ronald."

It was Ron's turn to blush, and he coughed in the hopes that Hermione wouldn't notice.

The adults finally entered the room, and all the kids came over to say their hellos. Mrs Weasley dragged Fred and George away from their plotting with Mila, and forced them to greet Sirius and Lupin.

"It's polite," she told them. They were more than happy though, sometimes if they were lucky, Sirius would tell them about a few pranks he pulled back in the day.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Molly suddenly squealed, and ran off before coming back into the room with four parcels.

She gave one to the four guests, and they all exchange glances knowing fully what they were. Mila opened hers enthusiastically and had her sweater on before the other three had even opened theirs. Growing up without a family was lonely, and she was always so happy to be included with the Weasley's Christmases.

Her's was blue, which brought out the colour of her eyes. Mrs Weasley was too observant not to have done that on purpose. Mila gave her another quick hug.

"Thanks, Mrs Weasley."

Molly gave her a watery smile, "Anything for you, dear." She reached up as if to touch Mila's face again, but stopped when Lupin spoke.

"I think it's time for lunch! Don't you think, Molly?"

She nodded. "Yes, you're right Remus. Come on kids, everybody into the dining room."

They all eagerly scrambled over there, and when Mila saw the table she gasped. It was beautiful. The food was already set out, and you could tell the Molly had set out the best possible plates and cutlery she had. There were Christmas crackers, and little ornaments decorating the table too.

Fred had told her earlier that Molly had strung mistletoe in all sorts of places, and that she would have to be careful less someone try and pull her in for a kiss. She could see some of it now, and she laughed as she avoided it. Maybe Molly was hoping Ron would drag Hermione under one of those things. She got a sense Mrs Weasley was aware of more than she let on.

They all sat around the long dining table, Mila sat next to Harry. They both gave each other a happy look. Even though they had been coming to the Burrow for a while, they still weren't used to having a family and a real Christmas. It was part of what connected them, though Harry had stayed with the Dursleys, they had had similar childhoods.

Mila piled her plate with roast vegetables, ham, and especially Yorkshire puddings. Those were her absolute favourite. Sirius had passed them too her with a knowing look before she had even had to ask.

There was easy chatter amongst the group as they all enjoyed their dinner together. Fred and George had begun chatting eagerly to Sirius, and Ginny was trying to pull Harry's attention.

Lupin sat on the other side of Mila, and though he seemed to be talking to everyone else but her, she decided she hadn't spoken to him in a while and that needed correcting.

"Hey Lupin, wanna bet how many brussel sprouts I can fit into my mouth?" she asked jokingly.

He turned to her surprised. His plan to minimise contact with Mila was obviously going to be harder than he thought. He had only sat by her so that Sirius wouldn't, and end up saying too much.

Though as Lupin watched her smile at him, a small part of him realised that he had just wanted to sit next to her anyway.

"I would, but I fear Molly would have a heart attack about you choking," he smiled back, not being able to help it.

Mila let out a mock sigh, "I guess we'll never know."

She was curious to see Lupin frown at her words as he said, much too seriously, "I guess we won't."

He turned pointedly away from her, and Mila wondered if she had just been snubbed. By Professor Lupin of all people. First he'd been concerned about her at school and now he was what? Ignoring her?

She decided to turn to Harry, but met Sirius' eyes on the way. He was giving her a sympathetic look, like he knew had noticed Lupin was ignoring her, and maybe even why. It was much like the looks she had been receiving from Professors at school, and it brought her back on edge, like she had felt before McGonagall had told her she was being silly.

Before starting to seriously question if the one person she had trusted with this worry had lied to her, she was interrupted by Harry who was finally happy to be able to catch her attention.

"I know you've been talking to them, but don't let Fred and George get you into too much trouble," he said.

She smiled, pushing her worries aside, "Well I can't have you losing sleep if you're determined to stay up for all my detentions."

He have a sheepish look, "I like to know you're ok."

"You worry too much, Potter."

"And you don't worry enough, Lovett."

Sirius watched them carefully, though neither of them noticed. Lupin did though, and gave Sirius a warning look. Sirius sighed when he saw it, at this rate he was going to break a bloody record of how many disapproving looks Remus could give him in one day. He rolled his eyes at him, a little childish for someone in their mid-thirties, but he got frustrated easily.

As much as Remus didn't want to admit it, he knew Mila was going to figure to something was wrong. She was too sharp not to. McGonagall had told them she had come to her, complaining about getting looks of pity from teachers. Even Snape was on edge, keeping her for detention much longer than he should have. It was getting too difficult.

Even now, when Lupin had turned away from her, he saw the cogs that were already turning in her mind. Remus may think what he was doing was best, but it only made it worse. Not that Sirius could talk. He barely coped around her. His impulsive nature tried to tell her every time she looked at him.

He continued to look at Mila and Harry throughout the meal. Harry looked so much like his father sometimes, that Sirius felt like he was sixteen again, watching the same story play out. Mila was making Harry laugh and Sirius took in her smile.

Wars could be won with that smile, there was no doubt about it. Mila wasn't oblivious to her charm, but she didn't know just how far the effect had on certain people. Harry was soaking it in, and Sirius knew the boy was half in love already, probably had been since the day they met.

Mrs Weasley soon brought out desert and Mila, just as greedily as she had lunch, piled it on her plate.

Most people's eye were on her as Mrs Weasley said, "You know Mila, it's looking like Sirius must not be feeding you."

Mila laughed as she took a swipe of pudding on her finger and popped it into her mouth, "What are you talking about? Sirius is an excellent host, aren't you Sirius?"

He played along, "Of course. We have breakfast, brunch, and you can't forget the high teas."

"And luncheon is a must. Really Mrs Weasley, you must join us some time. I'll have are butler set an extra plate," Mila continued.

The table laughed at the pair, and Mila smirked at Sirius. She loved it when he joked with her, he was better at it than anyone else. Sometimes Harry would just look at her all flustered and laugh at her antics instead of keeping up with her.

"Alright you too, just start eating the darn thing," Mrs Weasley chuckled, and Mila got to it immediately.

Everyone finished quickly. Mrs Weasley's desserts were always amazing, and most asked for seconds, Mila included.

"I don't know how you manage to stay so skinny Mila, your appetite is worse than Fred's," Mrs Weasley said, as she put a second helping onto her plate.

Mila gave her a cheeky grin and Mrs Weasley spoke again, "Sometimes, my love, you look like a little fox with that smile."

Lupin coughed suddenly, his food seemed to have gone down the wrong way and he excused himself from the table. Mrs Weasley went to check if he was ok, and Sirius looked like he desperately wanted to say something. Perhaps he wanted to crack a joke at his friends expense.

They finished dessert, and eventually Lupin came back with Molly coddling him. She looked rather sorry. Mila supposed she felt guilty; it was her dessert after all.

They all let themselves down from the table, and most went into the living room. The rest of the night Mila spent going from group to group, catching up with all the Weasley kids and her friends.

She kept being pulled into conversations and at one point she got so tired that she excused herself.

Harry looked at her questionably, asking to come with her like he always did. She shook her and head went to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

She grabbed a glass and began filling it from the tap. She turned to see Sirius had followed her in and she smiled in greeting.

"Fun day, huh?"

"Yeah. Molly sure knows how to throw a party." The pair laughed at that. After lunch, Molly had put on Christmas music, and after a few too many sherries, begun dancing. It was certainly a sight to remember.

"It's getting pretty late, are we leaving soon?" Mila asked. She didn't want to leave, but they would have to get back eventually, and she hadn't given Harry his present yet.

Sirius nodded and took a step toward her. She didn't really notice because he was still quite far away. It was when he took another two steps, that Mila watched him curiously.

"Is everything ok?" she asked. That's when she noticed how worn out Sirius looked. He looked tired and stressed, and Mila guessed he must hate being cooped up for so long. He was at the Burrow, but it was still indoors, and Mila wondered how long it had been since he had taken a proper walk in the sun.

He nodded wanly, "Yes. No. I don't know."

"Should I get someone? Harry, or Lupin maybe?" she asked.

"No," Sirius said hastily, and when she gave him a questioning look he shrugged. "They'll only worry," he added.

Mila knew what that was like. "I get it. Sometimes Harry worries about me so much, I don't know how he has time for anything else."

Sirius looked at the ground, "He really cares about you."

"I know, but lately, and it's not just him, it's- I just feel like I can't breathe." This is what she had been trying to say to McGonagall all those days ago, that she felt like she was suffocating.

It was the looks, it was Harry, it was people acting like she was a china doll, it was Molly crying whenever she saw her, it was Lupin ignoring her, it was Sirius paying too much attention, it was… everything.

"I've been meaning to speak to you about that," he said hesitantly, and Mila stepped forward eagerly.

Maybe someone was finally going to tell her the truth, "Please, would you? I feel like I'm going crazy. It must not just be me if you've noticed it too."

He looked almost erratic. He was going to come up with some excuse, something to give them more time, but she looked at him too desperately that he just couldn't lie. He had known she would have suspected something, she was Mila, she noticed everything. Maybe now was the wrong time, maybe Lupin and Dumbledore would be disappointed in him, but he didn't care. He aching to tell her and she was looking at him like he could make it all finally make sense. And he gave into it so easily.

So he opened his mouth, "Mila, I-"

"Sirius, Molly wants you to have a dance with her." Remus had entered the kitchen.

Sirius felt like a schoolboy caught in the act. He was just too impulsive for his own good sometimes. He stood for a beat, his adrenaline had picked up and remained frozen until he nodded mutely, knowing he had missed his chance. He walked hastily out of the kitchen, leaving Mila alone with Lupin.

Mila didn't know why, but she felt like she was in trouble from the way that Lupin looked at her.

"What did Sirius say?" Lupin asked sharply.

"Nothing, we were just talking." She said instinctively. She got into mischief so many times, that she was just used to talking herself out of it.

She changed her mind though, her fiery temper was fed up. Obviously something was going on and like it or not Lupin was going to tell her.

"Actually you know what? I was asking him to be honest with me. Because god forbid anyone do that! Something is going on, isn't it?" She looked at him expectantly, and to his credit Lupin didn't back down like most people did when she was angry.

He took a breath before he spoke, "Yes. There is."

Mila tried to hide her shock at something finally being upfront with her, but she waited quietly for him to tell her.

"You might have to change foster homes," he said. Mila stood there momentarily, waiting for the big news, before realising Lupin had finished.

Mila scoffed, "What, that's it?"

"Yes," Lupin settled, "But this one may be harder to persuade about letting spend all your holidays at the Burrow."

She frowned, "Oh."

"We'll do the best we can."

She noticed he looked very guilty for something that was out of his control.

She sighed. "Well, it won't last forever. I'll probably be moved again at some point." She didn't know if she was trying to make him feel better, or herself.

Lupin was silent, but he nodded.

"Are you sure that's it?" she asked doubtfully. It seemed a whole lot of drama for something that had happened before.

"I'm sure."

"But that still doesn't explain why everyone has been acting so crazy."

Lupin had an answer for that too. "Nobody wants to upset care about you, Mila. People care about you."

"You seem to have a knack for that," he added.

She sighed. This was not who she thought her Christmas was going to be spent. Changing foster homes would be a bummer, and she hoped that her new guardian would give in to letting spend as little time there as possible. Usually they didn't mind, they just collected their check and were glad to be rid of her.

Still, she gave Lupin a final scrutinising look, and he tried his best to look like he was telling the truth.

"Ok. Say I believe you. But can you please stop avoiding me? You happen to be my favourite teacher, you know." She smiled at him.

He let out a short laugh, of course she'd noticed that too. "I better be you're favourite teacher, what with the amount I let you get away with."

She chuckled, "And you're also my friend."

He glanced at her surprised. She had a vulnerable look on her face as she continued.

"I don't like it when you ignore me. You're special to Harry, and you're special to me."

He smiled at her, and Mila was finally happy to see that she had her old Professor back. They were standing close to each other, and she heard Lupin mutter 'damn Molly'. She glanced up to see what he was looking at, and she noticed the mistletoe that hung between him.

She caught his eye and gave him a mischievous look. She laughed internally at the petrified face he made, before she kissed him swiftly on the cheek.

"Merry Christmas, Professor," she said, and she made her way back to the lounge room, where the rest of the party was.

Lupin stood for a moment, and gave a small smile before he turned cold, his moment ruined when he realised that he had just lied to her for the millionth time in her life.

When they finally got home from the Burrow, Mila was exhausted. The twins had dragged her in their room to talk to her, and then Bill and Charlie had arrived and asked her questions about Hogwarts. Mrs Weasley had also had her own questions, and Ginny had pulled her into her room to have 'girl talk', which included a conversation about Harry that made her feel more than a little uncomfortable.

She had wanted to spend time with Ron and Hermione, but every time she tried, another Weasley just pulled her away. She didn't mind though, she loved the Weasley's and she loved socialising, but she also missed her friends.

She immediately went to sit on the couch and Lupin, Sirius and Harry followed suit. They all sat silently for a moment, patting their bellies and enjoying the quiet. They jumped when Mila gasped suddenly.

"Presents," she squealed, and she ran upstairs as the three of them watched her.

"How can she move like that after everything we've eaten?" Harry groaned.

Sirius laughed, "The mysteries of women, Harry. How do we know why they do anything?"

They heard her as she bounced back down the stairs, obviously having her energy back.

She handed Harry a parcel, and he grinned at her before tearing it open. She watched excitedly as he did. It was a little wooden statue of a stag, the carver who had done it had obviously taken great care in making it. The details were intricate, the most impressive were the antlers.

"Thank you, Mila," he said quietly as he turned it around in his fingers. She could tell he loved it, and she leant over to give him a quick hug.

Sirius and Lupin were smiling at the pair, and began to stand up.

"Not so fast," she said, before handing them both their own packages from behind her back.

They exchanged a look before opening the gifts. Both had matching carved animals, though Sirius' was a dog and Lupin's a wolf.

"You didn't have to get us anything, Mila," Lupin said softly. But he too, stared at the little animal in his hands.

"Of course I did," she said, as the three of them looked at her, "We're family."

She wished she could have afforded something nicer, she didn't have a lot in the way of money. That bank account was just about running out, and she was lucky to have made it this far on the money that random relative had left behind.

She misread the looks they gave her, "I know it's not much, but-"

"No, they're great," Sirius interrupted, "Really."

She smiled happily, before Harry spoke, "Why didn't you get one?"

She shrugged, "I didn't know which animal to get. I still can't cast a patronus for the life of me."

She didn't know why, but every time she cast that spell she could only get little wisps of white. It just didn't work for her.

Harry looked sympathetic, "You'll get it one day, Mila. If you want, we can practice when we get back to Hogwarts?"

Sirius raised his eyebrows at Harry's obvious attempt to spend more time with Mila. Mila was too perceptive for Sirius to believe she was completely oblivious when it came to Harry's feelings about her. But in Mila's eyes, Harry was the best and purest thing in her life, and she wouldn't mess that up for anything.

"Sure, we can practice," she smiled sincerely at him, before yawning.

"I'm beat, I think I might to to bed."

She stood and and stretched her arms over her head, her shirt lifting a little, though Harry pretended not to notice. She went to grab the bags she had carried home, which she'd left by the door. They were full of presents from the Weasley's and supplies from Fred and George.

Harry followed her up the stairs, and Remus and Sirius heard him trying to convince her to let him carry the bags as they left.

They both sat on the couch silently, each glancing at the animals in their hands. Lupin knew Sirius didn't want to hear it, but he had to speak to him about what he had almost said in the kitchen. He watched Sirius' face as he looked at his animal carving. There was a hope there that Lupin didn't want to crush, but that was the most dangerous thing of all. Hope. Sirius' hope led to Mila almost finding out the truth.

"About what happened, Sirius-" Remus started.

Sirius stood up, still twirling the figurine in his hands and looking at it wistfully, "Not tonight, Remus. Just let me have tonight."

Remus watched him walk up the stairs, grateful that he too could hold on to his own hope a little longer.

A/N did i just bless you with a 6000+ word chapter? i think i did :)

i realise, when reading back, that this chapter was a little heavy on the 'oOo thEreS a bIg SEcrET' but let me live folks, and only human, and so is Sirius