Harry
Harry was excited to be going home for Christmas. He would of course miss Christmas at Hogwarts, which he had grown to enjoy since his first year, but this would be the first holiday he spent with his parents. He closed his suitcase and headed to breakfast. Hogwarts had been decorated in its usual festivity and Harry couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic that this would be the last time he would see it. He was about to go to the Gryffindor table when he saw Luna Lovegood sitting by herself at the Ravenclaw table.
"Hi Luna" said Harry, taking a seat next to her. "Going home for Christmas?"
"Oh yes" she replied in her dreamy voice. "Daddy and I will be looking for Crumple-Horned Snorkacks."
"Oh right" said Harry. "Well Mum wanted me to ask you and your Dad over for Christmas, but if you two have other plans…I'll send you an owl anyway."
"I'll ask Daddy when I go home – Oh hello, Bella."
"Going home?" asked Isabella. She didn't acknowledge Harry.
"Yes, Daddy and I will be looking for Crumple-Horned Snorkacks" repeated Luna. "Are you going home?"
Isabella sighed, "I guess so. Anyway, have a good Christmas" she said, before walking off in the direction of Gryffindor Tower.
Harry was surprised, he hadn't seen Isabella talk to anybody since she had arrived. "What's she like" he asked Luna curiously.
"Oh, she's lovely" said Luna, and she smiled.
Sirius
It was Christmas Day and Sirius couldn't be happier. It was a full house with James, Remus, Lily, Tonks, Teddy, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, with the rest of the Weasleys and members of the Order coming over later in the day. Everybody had gathered in the living room to open gifts, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and Christmas cheer.
"Teddy gets to open the first gift!" James suggested over the noise. Everybody agreed, and Sirius went to the Christmas tree and found his gift for Teddy.
"There you go, Mr Lupin" said Sirius kneeling to Teddy's height. Everybody watched as the small child opened his gift, it was a mini broomstick, much like the one Sirius had given to Harry for his first Christmas. Sirius caught Lily's eye and she gave him a knowing look while James patted him on the back affectionately. After Teddy, everybody opened their gifts and went in to the dining room to have Christmas breakfast.
"So who's yet to come?" asked Remus, passing Tonks a piece of toast.
"The Weasleys" replied Sirius through a mouthful of eggs. "And the Order, and Milly" he finished.
Lily looked at Sirius's table manners and shook her head. "Hopefully you won't be talking with your mouth full when Amaryllis is here" she said.
"Nah, she's seen me eat plenty of times" reasoned Sirius. "I asked her to come over earlier, but she thought maybe you lot," Sirius looked at Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, "would find it odd having a teacher at home".
"She shouldn't have" said Hermione frowning. "Ginny's the only one who has her class."
"Do you know everyone thinks you and Professor Swan are dating, Sirius?" said Ginny.
"Sirius? Dating?" James spluttered; his food began to fall out of his mouth in coughs. Lily thumped his back.
"Shut up Prongs" laughed Sirius. "I've heard, but it's nothing like that, she's a really good friend, kind of like a little sister to be honest."
"Keekee" babbled Teddy happily when Kreacher came to the table. Sirius had noticed that Kreacher had become very fond of the small child and was never far from him. He assumed Kreacher was reminded of Regulus when he saw Teddy, who was also the youngest member of the Black family.
"Happy Christmas, Kreacher" said Sirius, holding his goblet up to the elf.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis was feeling extremely nervous about spending Christmas with Sirius's family. She looked in the mirror and straightened out her outfit. It was a dark green mid length dress that she had made specially for the season. She took the hair rollers out of her hair and fixed it in to loose waves. Her makeup was very simple, with a bright red lip colour. Sirius has also invited Momo, so she tied a little red bowtie on his collar. She didn't know what gift to get Sirius's family, so she just put together a Christmas hamper full of sweets. She took one last look at herself and apparated to Grimmauld Place.
When she arrived Amaryllis was greeted by at least ten red heads. A short, plump woman pushed through the crowd and smiled warmly at her, pulling her inside the dining room.
"You must be Amaryllis" she said kindly. "I'm Molly Weasley, my daughter Ginny is in one your classes."
"Very nice to meet you Molly, Ginny is a wonderful student!" exclaimed Amaryllis. "Happy Christmas!" she added and gave Molly the hamper. She waved at Sirius when she spotted him and made her way towards him. Momo ran in to the crowd.
"Happy Christmas, Sirius" said Amaryllis cheerfully, as Sirius engulfed her in a hug.
"Happy Christmas to you too" he replied. "Thanks for coming. You could put your things…" he looked around, "wherever you can find a place" he laughed. "I'll introduce you to everyone!"
"Everyone!" he shouted suddenly, so that everybody stopped what they were doing and looked in his direction. "This is Amaryllis Swan – Milly for short" he added, giving her a wink. "And Milly, this is," he gestured to each person, "James, Lily, Tonks – who will hex you if you call her Nymphadora, Remus, Teddy, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Molly, Arthur, Kingsley and you already know Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny". Amaryllis waved hello to them weakly before they all dispersed again. She saw Tonks and sat down in the empty chair next to her.
"Wotcher Amy" said the pink-haired woman. Amaryllis laughed.
"It's Amaryllis – but like Sirius said, you can just call me Milly."
"That'll do it" said Tonks sheepishly. "So, how are you liking Hogwarts?"
"It's great, I love it and I love teaching my class."
"Oh yeah, heard its Muggle Studies. Dad's a Muggleborn so we used Muggle stuff growing up" Tonks explained. "It's easier to use than some magic, ya know?"
"Definitely. Do you still use anything?"
"Mm, not really. I mean it is a little easier, but magic is just so convenient."
"Severus! Glad you could make it!" boomed a voice through the room.
Amaryllis, who had just put a glass of pumpkin juice to her lips, almost choked. She turned around and saw Severus standing in the doorway in his usual stoic manner. Arthur shook his hand "Happy Christmas" he said, smiling warmly as he led Severus inside
"Didn't think he'd come," said Tonks in low voice. "But he probably did for Lily."
Amaryllis felt a slight pang of jealousy when she heard Tonks say that, but she ignored it and tried to take a drink again. She looked to where Severus was again and saw he was talking to Lily now. She felt the pang again, though she couldn't understand why.
"Yeah, probably" she muttered. "What's Lily like?" she asked suddenly, though casually.
"She's really nice" answered Tonks. "Everything we've heard about her and all. Do you want me to introduce you two?"
"No!" Amaryllis cried at once. "I mean, she's already busy" she added quickly when Tonks raised her eyebrows.
"Come on" said Tonk. She handed Teddy to Remus and pulled Amaryllis up by the hand, "Seriously, let's just…walk around".
Amaryllis rolled her eyes. "Feels like I'm in school again" she said sarcastically.
Tonks laughed. "How old are you anyway?"
"25"
"Me too!"
They walked around the room and spoke to a couple of people before reaching Severus and Lily.
"Wotcher Lily" said Tonks, pulling Amaryllis unsubtly so she stood next to Severus. She turned to Lily, "This is Amaryllis, she's been wanting to meet you."
Amaryllis blushed.
"Yeah, you're one my Heroes" she stammered lamely, before realising how stupid she sounded.
Lily laughed. "Oh that's very kind of you to say" she said. "So how are you finding Hogwarts? Hope Sev hasn't given you any trouble." She grinned at Severus, but he only rolled his eyes.
Amaryllis, who had purposely not looked in the direction of Severus the whole time, finally looked up at him and gave him a weak smile. "Umm, yeah, Hogwarts is great. Severus is…nice" she said, ignoring Tonks who was silently sniggering next to her. "Anyway, I just wanted to say Hello – and Happy Christmas, um – to both of you. I'll see you later." And with that she grabbed Tonks's hand and left. When they returned to their seats, Tonks burst out laughing.
"I just met you, but I already hate you" grumbled Amaryllis.
"God, you were worse than me when I first met Remus" said Tonks, after sobering up. "So you fancy Snape, eh?"
"What?!" spluttered Amaryllis. "I do not." Tonks looked her doubtfully. "He just intimidates me, that's all."
"Sure sure…Anyway, he seemed pretty impressed with you. He gave you a good once over."
"No, he did not"
"He did! I saw him!" said Tonks triumphantly. "You are wearing his House colours after all…"
In that moment she noticed that Albus had arrived and everybody was waiting their turn to give him their Christmas wishes. When she approached him, he asked if he could speak privately with her.
"There will be an Order meeting tomorrow night, I hope you will make it" he said. Out of the corner of Amaryllis's eye, she could see Severus looking in their direction.
"Yeah sure, where is it?" she asked.
"Here. Everybody here is a member of the Order" said Albus. "Oh, and Amaryllis -" She looked at him. "Happy Christmas."
Severus
Severus had enjoyed Christmas for the first time in years, and he was the happiest to have spent it in part with Lily, even if she was with her husband and son. He decided to spend the next couple of days at Spinners End to tidy up his house.
And then it was raining, and he wanted nothing more than to relax before the Order meeting. He decided to open the gifts he had received the day before at the party and via owl. He opened Lily's first: it was a dark green leather-bound diary with his name embossed on the cover in black. He opened the book and breathed in the scent of the pages for a long stretch of time before putting it down. He opened his other gifts more books and even a watch from Harry. He put the watch on his wrist and hid it under the cuff of his coat. Finally, he saw a gift from Amaryllis. He felt guilty as he had not even thought about getting her a gift. He opened the delicate wrapping paper and saw that she had gotten him a new undershirt, much like the one he had been wearing the day he had been attacked. It was very thoughtful; he would thank her when he saw her at the meeting. Severus thought about Amaryllis then, she had looked exceptionally beautiful at the Christmas party.
He heard a knock on his door. Confused, as he didn't regularly have guests, he walked downstairs and opened the door. It was Lily.
"Hi Sev." She appeared to be wet from the rain. "Is it Ok if I came in?"
"Of course" replied Severus automatically. Lily walked inside and stood in the middle of his living room, she waved her wand and became dry instantly. "Is everything alright, Lily?"
"Oh! Yes, everything is fine. I just – I just feel like we haven't had a proper chance to talk since this all has happened" explained Lily. And then suddenly, she threw her arms around him and began to sob, burying her face in to his chest. Severus was caught by surprise but welcomed her embrace, they stood like that several minutes. When she pulled away from him, there were still tears running down her cheeks. "Severus, I am so, so sorry for not forgiving you in school, and I am so thankful for everything you did for Harry" she cried.
"I did it for you" Severus said bluntly.
Lily sat down on a sofa and put her face in her hands. "Where does this leave us though? I feel so awful that you have to always see James and I together."
"Nothing has to change, Lily" said Severus. He bent on one knee so that he was on the level as Lily. "Seeing you with Potter, it does hurt but I have accepted that you are in love with him, that you are married, and you have a son. You will always be my best friend, and nothing will ever change that."