Welcome back lovely readers! As always I am only here for a play date between my creations and JK Rowling's creations.

My favorite Christmas gift ended up being the one from Rabastan, and thankfully no one had asked who the new piece of jewelry had been from. My mum gave me knowing looks, but I think she knew I didn't want anything Slytherin brought up around James and Sirius.

The holiday break was coming close to the end and I had been in my room experimenting with my gift from Lily, she had gotten Marlene and I some fancy Muggle makeup. I was determined to figure out more complicated techniques other than the basics of beauty charms. I was at my desk with a mirror in front of me and a copy of Witch's Weekly with a makeup style Marlene had mentioned would look good on me once while listening to a Muggle record. I was done with the eye makeup and was applying and darker shade of lipstick than I would usually wear when my door banged open and James and Sirius came barreling in.

James jumped on my bed while Sirius sprawled out on the floor while commenting, "There is no way you are going out for New Year's Eve looking like that."

"I hardly think that is your concern Sirius, I'm allowed to do my makeup however I like," I applied some finishing touches and then turn around and smile at them, "I guess I'll have to ask James on advice for a dress then."

"Where are you even going Ophelia?" James examined the dresses I had pulled out of my closet.

"Mum and Dad said I could go to Marlene's to celebrate with her and Lily since you two are having Remus and Peter over. And before you even ask, no they are not coming here. Lily doesn't want to be harassed the last night before going back to Hogwarts."

"I will pick the ugliest dress if you don't get her over here."

"I hate to say this Prongs, but I don't think your sister owns an ugly dress," Sirius picks up the dress Bella had given to me, "We are locking you up until you're thirty Ophelia, we can't have boys looking at you in something like this."

"You're a genius Sirius, that's perfect! Turn around," I grab the dress from him and move him by his shoulders so I can put the lacy black dress on.

"We aren't eleven anymore Ophelia, you can't keep doing this!" James turned bright red and spun quickly around, "Padfoot I will murder you in your sleep if you even try to look."

"Don't worry James, he only has eyes for our radiant Marlene, who I will also be seeing tonight and I will tell her if he sneaks a peak," I grab my wand and with a flick my dress is zipped and I'm looking for the perfect heels, even though I know the moment we get to the party I got us into they will be coming off. Not that I'm mentioning the party to James and Sirius, best case they tell Mum what I'm really doing and worst case they try to tag along.

"Why are you getting so dressed up to just hang out with Lily and Marlene?" Sirius asked while raising an eyebrow.

"Because it is a holiday and a perfect excuse to get dressed up with your best friends. Girls tend to have some class, unlike you two."

"Yeah well I don't like my sister looking like this," James throws his arms up.

"I second what James is saying, you look far too much older than fifteen Ophelia."

"Merlin you two are the absolute worst. When will you understand you don't get a say in my personal life?"

"When you realize it's our duty to protect you," Sirius counters.

"You're not my brother," I growled.

"Well clearly James needs some help because you're an absolute handful."

I scoffed at that statement, "You're one to talk."

"You don't want to send the wrong message," Sirius said in frustration, "You're pretty and flirting with some dangerous people."

"I can't believe we're on this again!"

"We worry Fie," James interjected.

"I'm spending the evening with Lily and Marlene," it's only a half lie, I would be going out to a party but with those two, "Mum James and Sirius are being complete arses!"

"Honestly, are we five?" James glares.

"You seem to think I am," I cross my arms and glared back at Sirius when he gives me a look moments before my mother comes in.

"What now?" She asked exasperatedly.

"They are trying to control how I dress and act."

"No we weren't Mum! We just came in to make sure Ophelia has fun tonight with her friends."

"That is such a lie James!" It was my turn to throw my arms up, "can I just go to Marlene's early? She told me I could honestly come whenever."

Mum looked incredibly annoyed at all three of us, "Do you have everything packed?"

"Yes."

"Bring it downstairs, I want a picture of my three children before you go. You keep growing too fast," she disappeared and I rolled my eyes at her referring to Sirius as her own.

I grabbed my small bag Mum had put an undetectable extension charm on and then grab James' arm, "Come on, let's get this over with so I can get away from you two for once this holiday."

"You love us," James responded batting his eyelashes obnoxiously, "Come on Sirius."

The three of us stood in front of the fireplace like every other time Mum insists on a photo. Before smiling I roll my eyes at the thought of whatever stupid pose the boys would make. After mum quickly developed it with a spell I couldn't help but snort at the newly placed photo on the mantle amongst other photos of the three of us. James was looking incredibly stuffy before bursting out laughing, I made a dramatic eye roll before making a big smile, and Sirius put up bunny ears behind my head while also giving a big smile.

"See? I knew you all secretly liked each other," my mother said fondly.

"Yeah, yeah, can I go to Marlene's now?"

She pulled me into a hug, "Have fun dear and be careful."

"I always am Mum," I got into the fireplace with a handful of floo powder and called out, "McKinnon House."

When I arrived at Marlene's home I was immediately engulfed in a bear hug, "I'm so glad you got us into a New Year's Eve party with the Black family. Do you realize how exclusive that is?"

"Don't let Sirius hear you say that," I teased as we plopped down on the couch waiting for Lily's arrival.

"Oh he'll live. My dad is currently getting Lily and just apparating back, we figured it would be easier than trying to get a floo connection in a Muggle home. Especially with that sister of her's."

"Ugh, Petunia is the worst! Always looks like she smelled something awful, and I really can't tell if she's jealous of Lily being a witch or if she wants to smother her for it."

We heard a pop as Lily appears with Mr. McKinnon. She politely thanks Marlene's father for going through the trouble of picking her up for the evening. Mr. McKinnon waves her off just like Marlene would have done in the situation, "So girls, where are you off to for the night?"

"We are going to some posh New Year's Eve party our classmates are throwing," Marlene said before either of us tried to lie. Lily and I always envied the relationship Marlene had with her parents, they just let her be unapologetically herself as long as she was being smart.

"And where will this posh affair be taking place?"

"Ophelia, you said you were waiting on an address?" Marlene turned to me and gave me a look that said to tell the truth.

"Oh yes, Cissy sent me an owl earlier today saying she convinced Lucius to let her throw it at his family's manor."

Mr. McKinnon laughed, "Well I see you weren't joking about the posh part. I've been to the Malfoy Manor a few times over the years for Ministry functions, just make sure not to break anything. I'm sure Lucius is just as uptight as Abraxas is."

"He might be worse," I pretend to be scanalized, "But Narcissa is an absolute delight and can whip up an amazing event in no time flat."

We had decided earlier that it would be best to say Narcissa was the one to invite us rather than her older sister. Besides, Narcissa was the least prejudiced Slytherin around our age and on more than one occasion this year had sat with me in the library for the sole purpose of getting Lily to help her with Defense homework (but not without threatening all of us to not say a word to Bella).

"And make sure to eat before you go," Marlene's father winked before he left the room.

"Your dad is so cool," Lily gushed and plops down next to us.

"Well he learned quickly to just go with my flow, some story about the zoo when I was five or something like that. My parents say it was the first time I showed my magic and personality."

"Well I hope no one died…" Lily said after a moment of thought.

"Nah, but everyone was terrified when all the animals suddenly got loose. I did finally get the ice cream I wanted in the end though," Marlene laughed, "On a different note, can we please talk about the goddess Ophelia is turning into? If you keep up that look we're going to have to help you fight off wannabe boyfriends."

"You're so obnoxious Mar, all I did was put on makeup and wear a newer dress."

"See Lily, all it takes is a little makeup. I bet you even used Witch's Weekly as a guide," my friend teased.

"I'm going to hex you in your sleep when we get back."

"No you're not, you will have too much fun tonight when all the boys fawn over you. I bet you won't even remember my comment. Come on ladies, let's go eat some leftovers from Christmas dinner we made far too much this year."

"You say that every year," Lily laughed as we walked into the kitchen. Marlene's family house elf popped in front of us scaring Lily half to death, "I swear to God I will never get used to house elves."

"Hi Poppy, can you please fix us sandwiches from the leftovers?"

The house elf nodded excitedly and got to work quickly and we sat down at the table. I gave my two friends once overs realizing they also were dressed for the night already, "You two look wonderful."

"It took me ages to pick a dress, I was scared I wouldn't be able to decide and then Marlene would squeeze me in one of those dresses that only look good on her."

"They also look good on you Lil, you just have to stop looking so uncomfortable when wearing one," Marlene rolled her eyes, "And I got this one for this occasion specifically so it better look good."

Poppy the house elf came over with three plates and glasses following behind her, "Anything else Miss Marlie?"

"No thank you Poppy, go rest. I don't think we will need any assistance for the remainder of the night."

The little elf disappeared with a pop and Lily shook her head, "I still don't get it."

"Still not slavery Lily, they get distraught when not serving someone in some sense. Even freed elves usually make their way to someone they look at like a master. All the house elves at Hogwarts are technically free my mother told me," I said before taking a bite of the sandwich.

"But your family doesn't have one Ophelia."

"That's because our house elf that was my mother's as a child died shortly before James and I went off to Hogwarts and my mother felt that with us gone most of the year she could handle the house herself now that she's retired."

"Whatever… When are we leaving?"

"I think once we finish eating and freshen up our makeup we are good to head out. Do we just floo straight to Malfoy Manor?"

After we finished our food and fixed up our make at a leisurely pace it was time to head to the party. We decided I would floo first as an example for Lily, who would be followed by Marlene in case she messed up. We all arrived without problem while Lily grumbled about us holding her first time flooing years ago against her.

"You ended up needing to be searched for by my father Lily and it took him hours and you kept cry," I reminded her.

"I was eleven! I knew about magic for less than a year."

"Excuses, excuses," Marlene teased.

After walking from the entrance hall to the ballroom the music was coming from we were stopped by an excited ball of energy, "You three actually came!"

"Of course we did Cissy," I embraced the sixteen year old, "I was not about to miss my first event thrown by you."

"Well I'm glad, but before we go further in, my nut of a sister is absolutely convinced Lily is adopted and I just sort of rolled with it and didn't correct her. You know how she can be…" Narcissa gave us pleading looks and I could visibly see how disgruntled Lily was, "Please just go with it Lily for now at least."

The redhead sighed, "I will correct someone if they directly ask, but I will roll with it for tonight only."

"Thank you!" Narcissa squealed and took my hand and began pulling me towards a table with drinks, "It's all spiked, but tastes delicious. And you three look amazing. Also, what on earth did you do to Antonin, Ophelia?"

"What do you mean? I snogged him, but we never really talked about it. I don't think there's enough there to break someone's heart."

"Well I thought more along the lines of hexed him to next Sunday… When I mentioned you would be here he looked about ready to faint."

Marlene laughed, "Guess you're just that bad of a kisser."

"I am not a bad kisser," I pretended to be offended as I got a drink and shrugged, "Maybe Rodolphus said something to him? Bella didn't seem to thrilled when it happened."

"When did it happen anyway? You never told us," Lily piped up.

"Oh, you know, one of those alcoves in the dungeons. Bellatrix stumbled upon us and dragged me away," I lie smoothly.

Narcissa gave me a quick calculated look before taking Lily's hand this time, "You must come help me with the music, it's been near dreadful so far. I'm sure you have loads of songs to suggest to get this really going."

"You're going to need me to veto half of what she suggests though," Marlene said following behind the two girls and blowing me a kiss.

"Thanks for ditching me so soon!" I call after them with a smile. I down my drink before pouring a second glass deciding I might as well enjoy this party to the fullest. I moved away from the table and began to dance by myself when the song changed to something more upbeat and rock - most likely Marlene's song choice.

"My little cub made it!" a voice behind me yelled, "And in my dress too."

"I can't pretend I don't love this dress. I will duel you if you ever decide to take it back."

"I told you before, it looks ten times better on you than me," Bella spun me and smiled.

"Thank you. Can you believe that this year you're going to be graduating?"

"That's not the only thing," the young woman's face lit up and held up her hand, "I wanted to tell you in person."

"You're getting married? This is amazing!" I hugged her, "When do you think you want the wedding to be?"

"It's going to be the end of the summer. And that's not all, I want you to be one of my bridesmaids."

"Bella you've only known me for a short while are you sure?"

"Of course, you're practically like another younger sister. Plus we're basically like cousins because our mothers are related. You better say yes."

"I would never say no, I'm so happy for you and Rodolphus."

"Come on, I want to go tell him now!" I followed behind her, and realized that Bella had done quite a bit of drinking before the start of the party. She quickly found her now fiance and was beaming, "Rodolphus she said yes!"

"Congratulations, the ring is amazing," I said, greeting Rodolphus with a hug.

"Thank you. As you can see Bella has taken this as an opportunity to celebrate her excitement about the whole situation."

"As she should, she was raised traditionally Pureblooded. Every young girl has dreamed of this moment a hundred times over."

"Even you?" Rodolphus teased.

"Of course she has dear," Bellatrix cut in, "And maybe one day she'll get ot be my sister."

I almost choked on my drink at what she was insinuating, "Bella you cannot already be that drunk. You know I consider Rabastan to be one of my closest friends."

"That's what they all say," she gave me a conspiring look, "But just you wait."

"You're hopeless and fired as my wingwoman."

"No I take it back! I will be the best wingwoman."

"You can only have it back if you promise to not try to lock Rabastan and I in a room in this maze of a home."

"Fine, cross my heart," she gave Rodolphus a kiss, "I will see you later dear, hopefully we can find Ophelia someone to kiss at midnight."

"As long as no one terrifies the choice this time," I gave them both pointed looks.

"Good luck," Rodolphus messed up my hair before watching Bellatrix drag me away. It was going to be a massive mistake letting her do this, I prayed Cissy would be able to slow her down at some point.

Bella stops us in front of Barty and I wrinkle my nose at her, "No why do you hate me?"

"No I just thought you might want to say hello."

"Thanks Ophelia, I'm completely not offended right now," Barty said displaying a rather mopey mood.

"What's got your wand in a knot? It's a night for drinking and celebrating the new year!" I nudge his arm, "Whatever is bothering you just forget it for the night."

He shrugged, "I guess I could do that."

"I know you can. And if you can't do it on your own, I brought Marlene with me and she can turn around any bad mood like that," I snapped my fingers.

Barty just nodded and walked away. Bellatrix looked put out by the behavior, "Well then, looks like we know who to avoid. Let's go find your friends."

I tried not to cringe at that idea and hoped she was drunk enough to not say anything to Lily. It was know Bellatrix was raised to be less kind to those deemed a lower status and being a Black meant she had one of the highest statuses in most of Wizarding society. We spotted Narcissa fussing over a table while having a conversation with Lily and Marlene - who thankfully looked like they were enjoying themselves.

"Cissy calm down and enjoy your party," Bella pulled her sister away from whatever she was fussing with.

"Bella don't tell me what to do," the younger Black bristled.

"How about shots?" came tumbling out of my mouth before I could think of anything else.

"Always one to take the opportunity," Marlene smiled and grabbed a bottle from the table, "This should work just fine."

Narcissa waved her wand to conjure enough shot glasses, "What are we toasting to?"

"The best year yet!" Lily, Marlene, and I yelled simultaneously as was our usual cheer this time of year.

"I can definitely drink to that," Narcissa smiled as she and Bella raised their glasses to our's.

It was much later into the night and Bellatrix had long ago been brought home by Rodolphus who thanked us for entertaining her. Lily, Marlene, Narcissa, and I were all properly drunk at this point and enjoying the night. Narcissa was finally letting her hair down and was dancing with me when her boyfriend finally decided to live a little and ask her to dance. She was gleefully excited and Marlene sighed, "One day I want to be that in love."

Lily nodded, "I think I'm well on my way there…"

At that comment Marlene and I both stared at her. Marlene jumped up and down excitedly, "Don't tell me it's finally happening! His charms are breaking your obnoxious wall down?"

"I will only say this right now because I am quite messed up, but I do wish James was here to dance with like the last party."

"Ew, gross, that's my brother."

"I have to say he's growing up quite nicely."

"Yeah Lily is right, your brother is hot. But you are obviously the more attractive twin."

"Yes, and that is why every boy here has avoided me like the plague…"

"I think your friendship with Bella intimidates most of them. But back to the fact Lily is totally falling head over heels in love with the James Potter."

"I never said that, just that I could see it happening if he acts as gentlemanly as Lucius does with Cissy. She's like the light of his life when he looks at her," Lily gushed.

"Okay, I'm limiting you and Cissy to one study date a week for the second half of the year. Her romantic side is rubbing off on you," I grimaced.

"Not all of us are weirdly unromantic like you," she coundered.

"I'm just not about the whole public displays of affection, it comes with the territory of a real brother and self appointed brother."

"And that's why she snogs in alcoves!" Marlene giggles.

"We don't have anyone to kiss at midnight!" Lily gasped as though it's a life altering realization.

"I vote we head back to my house," Marlene bends down to pull off her shoes, "We can bring in the new year with PJs and stories of what we want most to happen this year."

"I second that, I can barely see straight," Lily starts to walk towards the entrance hall.

"You guys go without me, I'll catch up. I really wanted to wish a Happy New Year to someone, but I haven't had a chance to."

Marlene smiled, "Say hello to Rabastan for me."

"I never said -"

"You didn't have to," she waved me off, "If I don't see you until the train I won't be totally heartbroken."

I rolled my eyes at Marlene's antics, she could be so infuriating sometimes! With a huff I began my search for Rabastan, dead set on not telling him Marlene said hi. It took a while before I found him, but when I did I slid under his arm from behind and pulled him into a side hug, "You couldn't avoid me all night."

He looks down with a goofy smile, "I wasn't ignoring you. Bella kept shooing me away for half the night I figured I had forgotten to respond to a letter in a timely manner or something equally ridiculous."

"Well your soon to be sister is a handful when drunk, Merlin knows why she did half the things she did tonight."

"Where did your friends go?" Rabastan asked as he pulled me in front of him and began dancing to a slower song.

"They went home shortly after Lily proclaimed her almost love for my brother, I wanted to stay a bit longer though. Cissy said we could stay here if we needed to earlier tonight."

"You do not want to deal with a hungover Narcissa in the morning."

"I don't think I want to deal with a hungover self in the morning," we had moved significantly closer to each other so I rested my head on his chest, "The train ride is going to be terrible."

"Good thing you have a friend who brews a mean hangover potion."

"I will love you forever if you have a vial waiting for me on the train."

Rabastan chuckled, "I'm glad your affection is so easily bought."

"Only to those who deserve it," I fake glare up at him.

Rabastan brings a hand up to my necklace, "I'm glad you liked your present. What you got me is the best one I've received in many years."

"Good! After I sent it I got concerned it was a really stupid idea."

"You could never send a stupid gift," his hand moved up to my cheek and I felt myself blush.

"I feel like friends are obligated to say that to each other."

He just smiled that goofy grin again and the weird feeling I got in stomach definitely meant I drank too much. We had stopped dancing and were staring at each other when the people around us began to count down. I frowned, "I forgot to find someone to kiss. I was going to leave before this, but you distracted me."

"Well how about I make it up to you? I forgot to find one too."

I couldn't help but let out a rather unladylike snort, "I guess I'll take your pity kiss, but for the love of Merlin do not tell anyone you kissed me because you felt bad."

"I would never dream of it," the people around us got to the end of the count down and before Rabastan pulled me into a kiss he whispered, "Happy New Year Ophelia."