I tugged at the bottom of my denim skirt, the rain battered the scratched windows beside me. Lily's giggles filled the carriage as Ralph tickled her thigh.

"Give it a rest," Tom groaned. I shot him a look of thanks.

"Don't be so bitter. We're not going to see each other for ages," Lily sighed tangling her hand in Ralph's long hair. Fay wrinkled her nose as she looked up from one of her favourite muggle novels, I for one had no idea how she found them so interesting.

"Actually," she murmured softly, "your going to see each other in like three days."

"Well that's still too long," Lily giggled.

I stiffened in my seat.

"What's happening in three days?" I tried to make my voice sound passive, but the holiday was going to be a drag if Ralph and Lily were having a tongue fest every few hours. Fay snapped her book closed.

"Oh you've never been. She's never been. It's going to be so much fun," Fay squealed bouncing up and down, her glasses were askew again. Tom suddenly grinned. I sunk further down in my seat, confused. I locked eyes with Tom.

"The Weasly's annual Christmas party," Tom smiled, "it is definitely the party of the year but you have been at Hogwarts every Christmas so you wouldn't of been invited. It's going to be so much fun having you there, it was never the same with just the four of us."

"I doubt she would have been invited anyway," Ralph grunted. His words seemed to slash at my insides. Fay's eyes widened and Lily punched him on the arm before sorting her top and coming to sit beside me.

"So you guys have been going every year?" I asked ignoring Ralph as he sulked in the corner, his lips tilted downwards into a frown. Lily put a reassuring hand on my arm, I smiled at her.

"Since we started Hogwarts," Fay grinned.

"There's always lots of mistletoe. I wont be letting you out of my sight all night," Tom whispered in my ear. A red blush crept up my neck.

I glanced longingly out of the window. We still had ages to go.

"We'll need to go dress shopping," Lily said clapping her hands excitedly. I let out a groan. Tom winked at me.

"I hate shopping," I moaned.

"We noticed," Lily smirked looking me up and down.

Frowning I glanced down at my faded red checked shirt and denim skirt paired with my favourite lace up combat boots.

"What's wrong with my clothes?"

"Nat, there the only muggle clothes you ever wear. To Hogsmeade. Train rides home during the summer. I swear that shirt must be like three years old," Lily smirked. Tom rolled his eyes at me from across the carriage, I bit back a grin.

"And?" I really didn't understand her problem. Fay sighed and exchanged a knowing glance with Lily.

"You cant wear the same clothes for almost three weeks," Fay sighed, "your trunk was as light as a feather."

"Your not going to argue. We are going shopping."

I didn't have the energy to argue with Lily, I needed to have her on my side so I didn't find myself getting cursed over the holidays. Grabbing my coat I wrapped it around myself to stop myself from shivering.

Someone knocked sharply on the carriage door, with a grunt Ralph undid the lock. An out of breath Issac Longbottom stood with his hands on his hips.

"What's the problem Longbottom?" Tom groaned, he had never liked Issac, for reasons I could never understand.

"Nat, some fifth years are duelling down the corridor," he panted his face bursting red. His rusty brown hair fell casually over his soft blue eyes. The unfamiliar muggle clothes he wore stretched impressively over his toned stomach and I couldn't help but appreciate the God in front of me for just a second.

"Brilliant," I muttered remembering the problem at hand, "just what I need."

"Want me to come with?" Lily smiled producing her wand from her boot. I grinned.

"Nah," I murmured, "you make out with Ralph until your hearts content."

I took several steps to match Issac's long strides. As always despite the problem at hand he was smiling widely, his face open and handsome.

"Looking forward to coming of age?" he smirked catching my arm as I stumbled forwards.

"I haven't really thought about it," I shrugged, "up until last week I was supposed to be spending my Christmas at Hogwarts anyway so it wouldn't of been much of an event."

I glanced down the corridors looking for the duel as a few first years bustled by us, I glared at them.

"Issac. Where are they?"

His smile grew wider and he ran a hand through his dishevelled hair as I frowned.

"There wasn't a duel," he said sheepishly. I whacked him playfully on the arm and rolled my eyes as he stuck his tongue out at me.

"I wanted to give you your muggle money." He handed me a small bag filled with strange looking coins, "I know how the Potter's like to go muggle shopping."

"Thanks," I smiled, "I don't know if I'll need it just in case."

"It's the least I can do, after all you have been tutoring me all year."

I barked out a laugh as I leant against the wall in the corridor. Issac's eyes skimmed over my lazy posture and short denim skirt.

"It's only called tutoring when your teaching someone who isn't as smart as yourself, all we were doing was studying."

"Yeah well," he murmured with a shrug, "and you always cover my patrols when I cant do them."

I could feel the train beginning to slow down. My heart clenched suddenly with fear. The Potters were going to despise me.

"Are you going to send an owl to the Auror's office?"

"I'm thinking about it," I murmured.

"You should," he smiled again, "I don't want to be training all alone next year if I pass my NEWT's."

He would pass them. Easily.

Issac in my opinion should have been sorted into Raveclaw alongside me, but I guess he had more courage than intellect, although he was my main competition in every class.

"I guess I'll see you at the Weasly's Christmas party. I'll be the one hiding behind the broom shed studying."

I grabbed him in a hug, his warm arms wrapped themselves around me as he squeezed me tightly, I rested my head on his shoulder. Weirdly I found that I might actually miss the annoying Issac. A sharp cough broke us apart.

Tom stood at the end of the corridor, his eyes unreadable.

"We're coming into the station," he glared openly at Issac. I thought we were past that. Issac grinned one last time as he scooped down to place a lingering kiss on my cheek before shoving his hands deep in his pockets and walking away. I sighed. Tom grabbed my hand tightly pulling me back to our carriage.

"Tom," I hissed, "Issac is gay remember. Gay. Stop being so over protective."

"Then why wont you go out with me. I have asked countless times." His voice had taken on a whining tone. I didn't understand why he didn't just give up.

"Oh my God," Fay yelled, "it's snowing!"

Thank god for a distraction.

Tom pulled me to the window. Lily was leaning against Ralph her eyes wide.

"A white Christmas," we grinned togther.

I looked away as Ralph gave Lily one last lingering kiss and nuzzled her neck lovingly. Tom squeezed my hand before pulling away. Fay grabbed me in an awkward, bony hug.

"You should give him a break," she hissed into my ear, "I'll see you in a couple of days. Dress shopping."

Tom picked me up and spun me around while Ralph gave me an awkward pat on the back. Lily and I watched them as they walked away together, pushing each other over.

"Boys will be boys," she sighed.

I suddenly found my shoes very interesting.

"You ready?" She tilted my head up so I was looking into her eyes.

"They're going to hate me," I murmured trying to make myself more presentable as I smoothed down my skirt.

"They are going to love you." She disagreed with me as she ruffled my hair like I was a little kid. I scowled at her.

I tried to make myself as small as possible as I shuffled off of the train. Parents were waiting eagerly on the platform as Hogwarts students launched themselves into their waiting arm.

"Aunt Hermy," Lily screamed running while pulling me along behind her. I tried not to slip on the ice. Hermione opened her arms and Lily eagerly ran into them. Hugo shuffled embarrassed beside them, I pulled my scarf up to hide my smirk.

"Welcome to the mad family," he laughed in my ear.

Hermione finally managed to disentangle herself from Lily's strong clutches.

"You must be Nattalie," her eyes flickered up and down my shivering body. She smiled encouragingly but it didn't quite meet her eyes.

"It's an honour to meet you," I tried to make myself sound strong and confident. Lily rolled her eyes but Hermione's eyes lit up a little, she gave me a reassuring pat on the arm. Maybe the holidays weren't going to be so bad after all.

"Ginny's making dinner so I offered to come and get you."

"Mum's cooking?" Lily groaned pulling her hat down over her ears as we trudged along the platform.

"Unfortunately," Hermione grumbled. I held back a laugh, Lily had told me many stories about her Mum's disastrous attempts at cooking.

"I guess we'll be ordering a pizza when we get home tonight then," Hugo murmured. Hermione didn't agree with him but a small smile played about on her face.

"How we getting home?" Lily's voice was eager and full of energy, I knew she was desperate to see all her family.

"Apparition since I heard you passed your test, first time. It took Hugo twice" she frowned at her son.

"You alright with that Nattalie?"

"I'm not of age yet," I murmured kicking the platform with my boots. Beside me Hugo Snickered.

"Oh I forgot about that. We have to organise a party," Lily jumped up and down with excitement. Hermione and I groaned simultaneously.

"Don't worry," Hermione laughed, "you can perform side along apparition with me."

I didn't think I would ever get used to the feeling of apparition. Glad I hadn't had anything to eat on the train I snapped my eyes shut as I became dizzy, I could feel Hermione's fingernails digging into my skin.

"We're here," she laughed obviously amused by my queasy state. A large house stood in the middle of a field, I could see the leaning tower of the Burrow in the distance. Someone whizzed overhead on a broom. Lily grabbed my hand in excitement.

"What the bloody hell is she doing here?" A voice thundered. I felt my knees wobble as Lily and I turned around. James already had his wand in his hand, his handsome features scrunched up with distate. I wished the grass would swallow me up. Lily tightened her grip on my arm.

"Well?" he spat, "Answer me!"

I'm not sure about this chapter. Thoughts?

Thanks to anyone who reviewed last chapter. Reviews always make me smile.