Christmas break had finally arrived. This was the hardest time of the year for Buffy. Almost all the students were going home for the holidays. This would be her first one without her mom. Willow asked her if she wanted her to stay. Oliver had invited her along to his home for Christmas. She told them that she would be fine with Giles and Xander. Before they had left Hogwarts they exchanged gifts. From Willow she got brownies and a deck of self-shuffling cards. From Oliver she got a beautiful ice skating figure that really skated. She had given Willow a book on spells. She told Oliver that he would receive his gift on Christmas day. So when Christmas day came imagine her surprise when she came down to the Gryffindor Common to find the tree filled with presents mostly for her. The Gryffindor passage opened to admit Giles and Xander.

"Happy Christmas Giles. Happy Christmas Xander."

"Happy Christmas Buffy." They both chimed. She received a hug from each of them.

"Did you drop off the gifts?"

"Yes I did. Left each gift outside their rooms. I took Hagrid's present over this morning."

"Good. I'll be right back. I've got to get your presents from upstairs." She ran upstairs and soon came back with two packages. "Open them."

Xander opened his first and found a book and a frame that said 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'. The title of the book was Magic for Muggles.

"I thought that you might feel left out being around all these witches and wizards. This is the magical version of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Watch. Snoopy Dance." The frame instantly began showing Snoopy dancing.

"Thanks Buff. This is great. Look Giles."

"That great Xander." He started opening his gift. He only had the paper half off when he saw the title of the book. MY FAMILY.

"Go on Giles. Open it." She said happily. The first picture in the book was one of the three of them together. As he flipped through the album he saw pictures of her with Xander, of her with her friends, of him with Xander, and variety of others. His eyes began to water.

"I thought it would make you happy." She said seeing his tears.

"I am happy. These are happy tears. Come here you two." Giles embraced his two children in a tight hug. "Nobody could ask for two better children. Now Buffy, we have something for you."

Xander handed her a rectangular package with an envelope on top. She opened it and pulled out a sheet of paper. Looking over the paper she looked up at Giles confused.

"It's the legal papers. Whenever you're ready we'll send them and make it official."

"I'm ready Giles." She said handing him the paper. She opened the box. "It' beautiful."

"Look at the inside." Xander said showing her how it opened. A picture of Giles and Xander were on one side and on the other Willow and Oliver.

"This is the best. Thank you."

She hugged them both again before going to open her other present. They sat down together to finish opening the gifts from their friends. Buffy received owl treats from Hagrid; McGonagall gave her a Wizard's Chess set, a Quidditch robe from Hooch, a camera from Snape, and the new Nimbus broom from Dumbledore with a note. She handed the note to Giles. The broom was hers, but not officially till her second year.

"Can I try it Giles? Can I? Huh? Huh?"

"For a little bit before breakfast." Giles said with a smile.

"Yes! Xander want to come along? I promise not to go to fast."

"Sure Buffy."

"Come on!" She grabbed his hand dragging him to the door.

Oliver Wood anxiously awaited his present from Buffy. His curiosity had been peeked at the thought. The men were talking about Quidditch as the ladies talked about the latest gossip. There was a tap on the glass. At the sound everyone looked toward the window. They saw an owl sitting on the snowy ledge. One of Oliver's cousins opened the window. The owl flew straight to Oliver dropped the package and left out the way it came. Oliver already knew what it was as he ripped at the brown wrapping. He too now had the latest Nimbus broom.

"Oliver? Who is it from?"

He blushed at the fact that he hadn't looked for a card, but he knew who sent it. He looked for a note. It was lying among the ripped paper. Opening it he read the note.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS OLIVER!

Since first years are not allowed to have their own brooms at Hogwarts I sent it to your house. I saw this broom and thought of you. I know how much you want be on the Quidditch team. The others houses won't know what hit them next year. See you when you get back. Wish your family a Happy Christmas for me.

Buffy

"It's my Christmas present from my best friend Buffy."

"The girl you met at school? How did she ever afford that?" His mother asked. The men were gathering around Oliver to get a better look at his broom.

"I don't know but I'll be sure to ask her. She asked me to wish you a Happy Christmas for her."

"That's sweet of her."

"Tell us more about this Buffy. She must be a good friend to send you such a gift." His uncle asked. So Oliver told his family about his best friend Buffy Summers.

After taking Xander on a flight of the school he, Buffy, and Giles headed in for breakfast. Buffy saw that Professor McGonagall was wearing the red sparkling robe Buffy had gotten her. She was pleased that McGonagall liked it. All three of them took a seat at Gryffindor's table. She and Xander were talking when Hagrid came over to the table.

"Mind if I join yea?"

"Have a seat Hagrid. We're just waiting for the feast to begin. Thanks for the owl treats Goliath will love them."

"I should be thankin you. The Augurey you got meh is wonderful."

"Have you named her yet?" Buffy asked.

"Named her Lizzie." Buffy smiled. "Didn't think I knew didja?"

"Why Lizzie?" Xander asked.

"Named after one Elizabeth Anne Summers AKA me." Buffy said.

"How about we get this feast started? That is if you don't mind a few more occupants." Dumbledore said in the most humble way.

"The more the merrier." Buffy said as Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape joined them.

McGonagall and Dumbledore sat on opposite sides of Hagrid. While Professor Snape sat on Buffy's right side. With a simple wave of Dumbledore's arm the table was filled with food. Buffy filled her plate but only nibbled on it as she looked at the people around her. She had a family. She had people who truly loved her for who she is. Each one of them she spent a little time with. She and Professor Dumbledore would talk and have tea. McGonagall would help her out with her transfiguration. She would spend time helping Hagrid with the magical creatures. Even Snape was part of the family. Though he kept up with being cranky and mean Buffy knew there was a gentler guy inside. They had gotten to know each other well during those three weeks. He had also helped her to get the pictures for the album. She hoped that he and Dumbledore liked their Puffskein. She thought they were the cutest creatures. They look like tribbles from Star Trek. She thought it would be a good way for him to calm down after a day of classes with insufferable students. Her family was missing Willow and Oliver but she was happy just the same. Giles brought her out of her thoughts.

"What did you say Giles?" She saw that everyone was looking at her.

"I asked if you were alright? You've barely touched your breakfast."

She looked down at her plate and realized he was right. She picked up a piece of toast and bit into it. Once she swallowed she answered him.

"I just got to thinking what a lucky person I am to have such great friends and family."

She said with a big smile. Giles returned it and gave her a hug. The other members of the table smiled except for Snape, but he came close.

Buffy and Xander had taken the train to pick up the other students. Buffy couldn't wait to see Oliver and Willow. She had written to both telling them they would be in the first compartment. So now they were waiting for the conductor to start letting the passengers board. She heard the sound of the people boarding. Before she knew it a little green toad had entered their cabin and hopped on to her lap.

"Speedy! Did you get away from Oliver again?"

"I'm not worried about Speedy Willow. Whenever he gets that jumpy means Buffy is near."

They turned to the first compartment. "See what did I tell you."

"Nice of you two to join us. I believe this is yours." Buffy said as she held up Speedy. "Give us a hug. How was your holiday?"

"Mine was pretty boring. Spent most of it in my room on my computer. I'm Jewish so we don't celebrate Christmas but we did celebrate Hanukkah." Willow said as she took a seat beside Xander.

"Mine wasn't too bad. Relatives that I only see that time of year came to the house. We ate dinner, and then sat around talking. I want to thank you for the broom. Where did you get the money for it?" He asked as he took a seat next to Buffy.

"I guess you can say it was one last present from my mom. It turns out that she had her will changed before she died. My mother left her major possessions to me. My grandmother, her mother, died six days before my mini breakdown. She left everything to Mom. I got a note a couple of weeks before Christmas telling me that my inheritance had been deposited into an account. It seems my grandmother was quite wealthy and now everything belongs to me. Giles let me spend some of but he's mostly trying to get me to hold on to it."

The train began moving and they all sat there talking about what they had done and was to come. The cart lady came and Buffy used the last of the money she had on her and brought the whole cart. The group had a sugary feast.