Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter Series, JK Rowling does.

Rule #3 Christmas is a time for giving, just don't give up your secrets

It was Christmas Eve, and looking at the Potters and I, you would think we were just a happy family. Lily, Lucy, Roxanne, and I were decorating the tree with bright cranberries and popcorn. Mr. and Mrs. Potter along with Mr. Weasley were picking teams for a friendly game of Quidditch, and everyone else was arranging presents around the tree. A closer look would supply a different explanation. Yesterday, had sent a howler to Mr. Krum, and the family were no longer joining us for Christmas dinner. Teddy Lupin was in trouble with the ministry for performing magic in the presence of muggles, but it was just about to get worse. A squawking owl flew in through the frosty window carrying a crisp roll of parchment.

"Melanie, c'est une lettre for you." Fleur sang in her silky voice, and she smoothly picked up the letter and presented it to me in on swooping flick of her wand. I slipped out of the room, and hid myself away in to the black family tree room. Many faces blacked out, it reminded me of how myself would soon be snuffed out of my family. I hadn't replied to my family telling them my decision yet, but I knew that they would not be happy. After a deep breath, I opened the scroll.

Dear Melanie,

We cannot tell you where we are, but just send your reply with the owl. Your mother and I need your help. We know that you stay with the Potters, and we may be able to come out of hiding by finding some dirt on the Potters. If they are out of the ministry, then we are free to go. Just look in their study for a black ministry file. Send it to us, and we promise to forgive you for everything. Please help us, you're our last resort.

-Father

How dare they ask me to betray the very people who had brought me in, without even knowing me! I would rather be excommunicated from my blood realatives than to give them information. Who knew what could happen if I did? Just last week there was a small attack in Diagon Alley when a group of former death eaters had tried to force citizens in to a vanishing cabinet linked to Azkaban. I couldn't imagine what they would do next.

"Hey Mel, are you alright?" Albie said, genuinely concerned as he peered around the door. I didn't know if I should tell him or not. Would he believe that I wouldn't betray his family?

"Oh, I'm fine, just my parents saying Merry Christmas." I lied, this conversation was meant for a not so happy time.

"Well, we're going to all play some Quidditch now, if you'd like. You're on Uncle Ron's team, so good luck." I laughed for the first time in a while. Albus smiled at me, and gave me his hand to help me get up. We walked hand in hand outside, as I blissfully forgot my parent's request. After a long game in the bitter cold we all trudged inside awaiting a warm dinner and a long night of talking and joking. We all sat down, with just one seat left empty.

"Where's James? I haven't seen him since this afternoon." Mrs. Potter said, looking at a small map of their house with everyone's name in their respective place. It was modeled after the infamous Mauraurder's Map which had been repeatedly confiscated at Hogwarts from James and Albus. Just then a thump of footsteps came from the hallway. James ran in, his face flushed and gave me a glare similar to the one of Hattie.

"How could you Melanie! We take you in, and you betray us like this?" He panted, holding up the red piece of parchment.

"Where did you get that? And I never would hurt your family I promise!" I replied, knowing that this was going to ruin everything.

"I saw you leave the room all sneakily and the door to the study had been unlocked, I checked!" James screamed with defiance Mr. Potter snatched the letter and read it, his eyes behind his glasses, so similar to Albie's, saddened with grief.

I could just tell that everyone in the room was staring a me. Doubting my intentions with their family and most of all their son. I couldn't bring myself to look at Albie in the eye. What was I thinking? I should have just told him initially what was going on, instead of pretending that it would all just work out on its own.

Well, there's no way to recover now, I thought. I ran out of the room to collect my things before I was kicked out. With a swish of my wand all of my belongings zipped in to my carpet bag. Luckily we had just learned aparating. In less than a minute, I was standing in a deserted Diagon Alley, alone again. I had noone to turn to. No one to help me out, no one would take me in, no one cared about me. Especially not the Potters. Not one of them questioned that I was not working secretly with my parents, I knew none of them would trust me again. Especially Albie, oh how I messed things up with him, everything is all my fault.

Suddenly a loud crack from behind me in the alley startled me enough to stop crying, turn and face my visitor.

"So you've decided to come back then?" Said a way too familiar voice.

Both of my parents were standing there in dark hooded cloaks, you could barely see their faces but I knew who they were.

I surprised my parents by nodding to my father's question.

Then I surprised myself by feeling completely relieved that they had come to save me. Someone cared, no matter how evil they were, they were all I had now.