December 1977

Hermione sat in a compartment with Lily, Marlene, Alice, Dorcas, and Frank. "Don't you wish to be with the other boys?" Dorcas had asked him when he sat with them. James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Benjy, and Draco were in the compartment across from them.

Frank shrugged. "I want to spend time with my love," He kissed Alice on her forehead. "Mum wants you and your family to come over on Boxing day to discuss plans. She said beforehand but I convinced her to wait so you can bring some of those delicious Fortescue treats."

Alice chuckled. "Of course you want food. That's probably the only reason you are marrying me."

"It is," Frank joked. "So Lucy, are you excited for the New Year's party ate James's house? It's always a wicked time."

"Definitely. It's been awhile since I've been to a party. I'm going to go use the loo real quick. Be back in a jiff." Hermione slid out of the compartment and headed towards the back of the train. She bumped into someone when exiting the loo. "Oh I am so sorry."

"It's alright my feisty Gryffindor," Hermione looked up to see Evan Rosier standing in front of her with Wilkes and Snape on either side of him. She took a step back right into the door. "Trapped? It would seem so."

"What do you want, Rosier?" Hermione sneered.

"Nothing at all, my feisty Gryffindor," he smirked. "Can't I just say hello?"

"No," She tried to pass him but Wilkes held her back. "Let me pass."

Rosier looked to Snape. "Guard the door."

"Evan, I don't think—" Snape began to protest.

Rosier's eyes narrowed. "Do it, Severus. Don't question me. I am the one who has the connection. You do as I say."

Snape reluctantly nodded and walked towards the opposite end of the car. He made eye contact with Hermione before he had walked off. This wasn't going to go well at all. Rosier smiled at Hermione, or at least she assumed he was trying to. It was more of a smirk. He reminded her of a young Draco Malfoy; only Rosier was actually scary.

"How has Gryffindor been?"

"Fine."

"Going home for the holidays?"

"None of your business."

"She's being stubborn," Wilkes said. "I don't think she wants to talk to us."

Rosier turned to his friend. "Thank you for stating the obvious," He looked back to Hermione. "You really should've taken Black's warning. We aren't people to mess with; however, we always love a nice game."

He raised his wand and opened his mouth when the carriage door opened. Draco stood there holding Snape against the wall. "Am I interrupting something?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," Rosier answered. "Carry on."

"See I can't because you're blocking the toilets, and being the Gryffindor I am, I can tell Winters here is in distress."

Hermione saw Benjy scoot around Draco. He smiled and grabbed her arm. "Find someone else to terrorize, Rosier," Benjy stopped in front of Wilkes. "I believe the henchman occupation is a very good fit for you, Bimbly."

Wilkes growled but said nothing. "I just realized there are toilets at the front of the train," Draco said. "I think I will use those so you can carry on."

Draco followed Benjy and Hermione out. "Why?" Hermione asked. She was looking directly at Draco.

"They aren't people you mess with," he answered.

"You are so confusing. I hate you."

He didn't reply. "I'm actually going to go use the toilets."

Benjy nodded. When they reached their compartments, Hermione asked how Draco and Benjy had found her. "We were worried about you," Lily said when she saw them again. "You were taking way too long. Are you alright?"

She the guys across from them looking over at her. "I'm fine," she answered. "Nothing I couldn't handle."

"Then why did Benjy and I have to save you?" Draco asked. She grimaced at his return.

"I was doing perfectly fine on my own."

"Clearly you weren't."

"You are such an arse," Hermione snapped.

Draco smirked. "Some things never change."


King's Cross was the same as always. Lily's father was waiting outside the barrier for them. "Dad is really excited you are coming," Lily told her. "Personally I can't decide if it's because he gets to meet another witch or to show off his cooking. He used to be chef but had to retire after his heart attack last year."

"What happened to your mum?" Hermione asked. "If it's not too much of a question."

"She died about a month before my dad's heart attack from cancer. My sister and I think that him missing her caused it. They loved each other a lot."

They said a quick good-bye to their friends before running through the barrier. A muggle was watching the barrier when they came through. "Hello girls," The muggle got up and hugged Lily. "I'm Lily's father, Harold."

"Lucy Winters," She shook harold Evans's hand. "Thank you for allowing me to stay during the holidays."

Harold smiled and led the girls to the car. "It is no problem at all. It would've just been me and Lil until Petunia and her husband came on Christmas for lunch."

"The girls said they'd stop by," Lily said. "Oh and we're going to a New Year's party."

"How exciting. I remember going to those with your mum," Harold sighed and started up the car. "I miss my Violet."

Lily sighed. "I'm sorry," she whispered to Hermione.

"It's okay," Hermione reassured her. "Remember, I'm staying with you because my parents are gone. I can understand what he means."

Lily smiled and mouthed "thank you". Hermione smiled and nodded. Hermione watched the scenery change from urban London to the country. She had never been to Cokeworth before.


Draco, Sirius, and James flooed to the Potter home. "Mum, dad, your sons and another are home!" James shouted.

There was a small pop and a house elf appeared. "Mister Jaime you is home! Trilly missed Mister James."

"I missed you too, Trilly. Now, where are my mum and dad?"

"Master Fleamont is upstairs in bed. Mistress Euphemia is with him," Trilly answered.

"Let them know we are here," James ordered. Trilly nodded once and disappeared. "This way."

James led them to a second set of stairs. "This whole part is mine. My bedroom is is the last door on the right. Sirius's is the first," He pointed to the first door on the left. "That's where you'll stay, Henry. Bathroom is the second door from it. The other is a linen closet. Don't take a piss in it. Trilly will get very upset."

Trilly popped into the hallway. "Master and Mistress will not be joining yous for dinner. Trilly will let you know when it's ready. Trilly also fixed the brooms for quidditch and is still cleaning drawing room for party. It will be down by morning."

James smiled. "Thank you Trilly." Trilly nodded and disappeared. "You haven't asked about Trilly, Henry. Peter and Remus did. Frank knew of house-elves but had never met one until her came here."

Draco thought very quickly for an excuse. "My grandma had a house-elf bound to her," Not a lie. "The elf was quite desperate to serve someone so she bounded the elf to her." Half lie. Spinks always wanted to serve but Spinks was handed down to his grandma.

"My brother's elf is passed down through the family," Sirius said. "Who knows how old that bloody elf is."


Draco tossed and turned in bed. He huffed. No matter how much he tried, sleep seemed to evade him. He slipped on a shirt and quietly opened his door. Sirius's snores hit his ears. A quick silencio and Draco was heading down stairs.

The Potter home was not as large or grand as Malfoy Manor, but it was still very large and elegant. Pictures of James lined the staircase wall. The pictures all reminded him of Potter. He had heard from his godfather that Potter could pass as a twin to his father, but Draco never knew how identical the two were. The tea room held a tapestry of the Potter family just like the Malfoy, Black, and all pureblood families have in their ancestral homes.

A quick peek into the kitchen and Draco walked in. He grabbed a glass for water. "Trouble sleeping?" Draco jumped and whipped around. He let go of the glass, but a quick flick of a wand from Euphemia and it was saved.

"Sorry, Mrs. Potter, and yes I couldn't sleep."

"Sirius does have some dreadful snoring; however, you seemed to have fixed that," she chuckled. "So Henry right?"

"Yes ma'am. Henry Paxton. Thank you for allowing me to stay here for break."

"It's no big deal. Sirius already lives here, Remus and Peter will be here on Boxing day, Frank will most likely show up on the 27th or 28th, and Benjy will show up to either here or Frank's when the Fenwick Fallout becomes too much for him. Tell me about yourself, Henry. You must be interesting to show up for only your seventh year. Besides, I've never heard of the family Paxton."

"I'm not a pureblood, Mrs. Potter," was the only answer he could come up with.

"Euphemia please, and there is no need to lie. Your eyes give you away. They are a very light grey, a fine line between silver and an icy light blue," she replied.

"You're a pureblood, as is your husband and James. None of you have this colored eyes."

"That would be from the families involved. Sirius's are a very dark grey from all the Black that runs through his veins. James said your father is dead. What of your mother?"

"My mother loves my father very much. She chooses to believe he is not gone and I am having a hard time coming to terms with everything," It wasn't a lie.

"You have a strange aura. It is very young. Why are you here?" she asked.

He ignored the question. "Do you have a gift, Euphemia?"

The older woman shrugged. "I am merely perceptive and observant. Death follows you along with regret. You are also distorted."

"Pardon?"

She pointed to his neck. "You are hiding your true self. Tell me, Mr. Paxton, what do you need freedom from? Why do you seek redemption?" He looked at her quizzically. "Saorsa is Scottish gaelic for freedom or redemption depending on the translation."

"I believe it is time for me to turn in, Euphemia. It is, after all, Christmas tomorrow."

Euphemia nodded. "You don't deserve this," she said. He glanced back at her. "You are only a boy."

"I haven't been a boy for a very long time. Goodnight Euphemia."

"Goodnight Mr. Malfoy," Draco whipped around. She tossed him his necklace. She must have summoned it away without him somehow noticing. She knew his family just by his looks. It would be easy though. Nobody had hair like the Malfoys. Even his mother's blonde was darker than his father's. "You best get a better fastening charm. Those looks will get you into trouble. Take care of yourself now. I'm sure Sirius and James will keep you busy for the next week planning their party they always think we don't know about."


This chapter wasn't as detailed as I had originally plan but my mind was in other places this past week and left me with very little time to write. I will be going on vacation in a few days and regret to inform you all that there won't be an update next Tuesday. A longer one or maybe two shorter ones will happen the following Tuesday. Please leave a review of your thoughts! Thank you all for taking time to read this story. it means a lot to me.