So I was going to include more in this chapter, but before I knew it, I had reached twelve pages! So this will be part 1 of 2 at the Potter's home for Christmas. Also, school just started for me so I'll only really be able to work on this on the weekends (including Mondays). So expect updates during that time!

Thanks for everyone who continues to review; it makes me so happy you have no idea! Please continue to do so, and if you wanted to make me absolutely rapturous, recommend my story to other users? :D

Anywho, on to the story!

The next flew months were a blur of Qudditch, homework, and friends. Before I knew it, we were a week away from Christmas, a day before we were destined to head home for the holidays. I sat eating lunch in the Great Hall with Kate, Ryan, Mia, and Jay (it was great being the 5th wheel! Not.) when a handsome tawny owl almost landed in my porridge.

"Oh hello!" I cried in surprise. The owl ruffled it's feathers and stuck out a leg that had a letter attached to it. I took the letter and offered the crust of Mia's toast to it, who happily ate it up.

"Hey, I was going to have that!" she joked.

"You said you were done just a minute ago," Jay asked confused and flipped his hair. Like I said, he wasn't the sharpest sword in the armory.

"I was just kidding love," Mia giggled and kissed his cheek.

"Oh...right!" he smiled and I quietly snorted at his stupidity. Mia gave me a look and I put on a straight face. She nodded approvingly. "He may not be so smart but he has the kindest heart. Not to mention how cute he is!" she would tell me in our dormitory at night when I asked how she put up with his dimwittedness.

"Who wrote you Lilah?" Ryan asked as he tried to beat Kate in Wizard's chess.

"Ha! Check!" Kate cried triumphantly. "You know what the loser has to do," she grinned at him.

He smiled wickedly. "The Transfiguration room is empty tonight."

Um, ew. Were people in love always this sickening? I instantly focused my attention on the letter to avoid the couples' playful banter to each other.

My name was written the front in elegant script…my mother's handwriting.

"It's from my Mum," I said, surprised. Mia and Kate both looked up astonished as well. My parents always had trouble writing to me, as they were both muggles. In my first year they tried to mail a letter to me and…well, let's just say the Ministry had to get involved. Since then we've stuck to communicating during the holiday breaks when I was at home.

I opened the letter carefully not wanting to rip the precious paper and unfolded my mother's favorite stationary. It had vines of roses around the sides and I thought of home.

Dear Lilah,

How have you been? Has school been treating you nicely? You might be wondering how I've managed to get this letter to you. I was in the kitchen, thinking about how I could reach you, when suddenly this beautiful bird tapped on the window! It was magnificent, and very magical. Of course I shouldn't have expected anything less!

Now sweetie, I have some bad news. You won't be able to come home for Christmas this year, and I'm so sorry for that! Your father has one a contest on the radio where the grand prize was a couple's vacation on a cruise ship around the Mediterranean. It's awful timing I know and we want to see you so badly but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! I'm afraid you'll have to stay at the school unless you can find other arrangements. We love you so much Li, see you at Easter sweetheart!

-Mum

P.S - I enclosed your gift in the envelope as well to let you know how you brighten our lives!

I reached into the envelope once more to find a gold chain with a glittering star pendent. I put it on and admired how it hung on my neck.

"Oh that's adorable!" Mia squealed and Kate nodded.

"What'd the letter say?" she asked.

"My parents won some sort of contest for a cruise-"

"A what?" Kate asked.

"You live on a boat and sail to different places," Ryan clarified.

"Sounds nauseous," she shrugged.

"Anyways, I have to stay at the castle for holidays," I said a bit glumly. I really was happy for my parent, that's not why I was sad. It's just that all my friends were going to go home too! I was going to be alone in this big castle over the holidays. Terrific.

"Oh I'm so sorry Li!" Mia said. "I'd invite you to my place but we're going to visit my cousins in America."

"We're going on vacation too, I'm really sorry," Kate said sadly.

"It's alright, thanks anyways. On the bright side, I'll be able to hunt for more secret passages!" I lied; I already know all the secret passages.

"Please, you already know all of them," Albus echoed my thoughts as he joined us at our table. "What's up?"

"Lilah has to stay here for the holidays," Jay piped up.

Albus chuckled. "No she doesn't."

"Yeah, my parents aren't going to be home."

"So stay with us for the holidays," Albus shrugged. I felt my heart skip a beat (yeah…I still hadn't gotten over my little crush).

"Are you serious?" I gasped.

"No, I'm Regulus. Of course I'm serious, nobody should be alone on Christmas! Besides, half of my family loves you, and the other half wants to meet you," he grinned. I practically jumped on him.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I cried as I wrapped my arms his neck. "You're the greatest and bestest friend ever!"

"Hello, we're still here," Kate smirked and I smiled sheepishly.

"Well now that that's settled, I'll go off and write the parents a letter. See you lot later," Albus waved and walked out of the entrance hall looking a little taller then he had before.

"Can we speak to Lilah alone boys?" Mia asked Ryan and Jay.

"Erm...okay," they shrugged and excused themselves from the table as I rolled my eyes. As soon as they out of ear shot, Mia and Kate leaned forward.

"I knew it, you do like him!" Mia silently clapped.

"Okay, maybe a little bit," I said, finally giving up. They had been bugging me every since we became friends again, and I had always denied it, but I was too happy right now to keep my guard up. "But you know what he told me, he thinks of me as his little sister!"

I shuddered. That still bothered me.

"So? You can change that," Kate said.

"I don't want to ruin our friendship! That almost happened once, remember?"

"Pish tosh! You just have to dress a little sexier, act a little more sultry, and he's as good as yours," Mia winked and I threw a napkin at her.

"Too bad I'm going to be spending holiday with the rest of his family too," I said sarcastically.

"Fine, you win. But be sure to tell us everything that happens, okay?" Kate gave me a look and I knew I had to agree.

"Sure, whatever. But nothing is going to happen."

I hoped to Godric's Hollow I was wrong.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Look, there they are!" Lily Potter, Albus's younger sister cried as we stepped off the Hogwarts Express. I followed the direction she was pointing in and saw who I presumed to be the Potter's and their many relatives.

"Ready to go?" Albus asked me.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I gulped. I had already said goodbye to Mia and Kate on the train and had my trunk by my side. There were no escape excuses.

"Don't be scared, they'll love you," Albus murmured as we got closer. Wow, it was as if he knew what I was thinking. Truthfully, I was a little worried the Potter's would not like me. What if they thought I was a free loader? Annoying? Mean? Obnoxious? There were so many possibilities that made me even more anxious to consider them.

"Right," I answered back plainly. Albus waved to his mum who immediately rushed over.

"Welcome home Al!" she said and kissed his head.

"Muuuum," he rolled his eyes but I knew he enjoyed the attention. Typical Albus. Mrs. Potter turned to me and smiled brightly.

"And you must be Lilah! We're so happy to finally meet you!" she cried and gave me a comforting hug. Mrs. Potter had styled her fading red hair into a bob and her brown eyes reminded me of Lily's. Although she had retired from the Holyhead Harpies years ago she still looked fit. It was easy to tell that years ago she had been very pretty.

"As am I," I smiled genuinely. "Thank you so much for letting me stay for the holidays, my parents and I are very grateful!"

"Oh it's not a problem dear! Albus practically begged in his letter for you to stay when it was completely unnecessary," Mrs. Potter smiled at her son who had turned red. I grinned. "Come now, let's go greet the rest of the family!"

"ALBY!" James, the oldest Potter boy, cried and twirled his brother around mockingly. I stifled a laugh.

"Put me down you git," Albus muttered but I saw a smile escape from his lips.

"Whatever you say, brother o' mine," James smiled mischievously and turned to me.

"Lilah, good to see you again!" he smiled. "What's it like having to put up with little Alby everyday?"

"It's almost as bad as when I had to put up with you being Qudditch captain," I smirked and the boys laughed. James had graduated last year and had been Qudditch captain for the Gryffindor team. He had actually been a good coach, but I'd never let him know that.

"You sure know how to pick 'em Albus," James chortled. "But it's good to finally see you two togeth-"

"Hey Al," Mr. Potter interrupted and gave Albus a hug. I blushed at what James had almost said and turned to face Harry. It was weird seeing him in person after I had heard many stories and read many books about him. He looked so much like Al with the black hair and green eyes.

"Dad, this is Lilah Parker," he said and gestured towards me. I awkwardly waved.

"Nice to meet you."

"It's a pleasure," Mr. Potter smiled and shook my hand.

"Well we best head off! Mum's cooking dinner as we speak!" Mrs. Potter called to our group and we headed out of King's Cross Station together. I caught a few glances at Rose and Hugo's parents; they looked almost exactly like their dad with their mum's eyes. Fred and Roxanne's parents were laughing and their dad was wearing a purple robe (his uniform for Weasley Wizard Wheeze's I'm guessing). Louis, who I didn't know too well, had the most attractive parents I'd seen in a while, which was fitting considering how many girls think he's good-looking. When we got outside there were several ministry cars waiting to take us home. It took almost an hour to get there, and while some chatted excitedly, Albus just groaned.

"This has to be the worst part of coming home," Albus moaned with his head between his knees. He has a tendency to get very carsick.

Finally, and much to Albus's delight, we had arrived at the Potter house. Though in my opinion it should be called Potter Manor, or the Potter Estate considering it's size.

It rested on top of a small hill, separating it from the actual sized Qudditch pitch and large pond with a dock. The grass and trees surrounding it was dusted with glittery snow. The house itself was huge with tall white pillars and stonewalls.

"The only reason dad bought a house this big was to house the whole family on holidays," Albus quietly told me as I stared in awe out the window.

"It's magnificent," I replied and Albus smiled.

"It's home."

As soon as we walked through the door we were greeted by who I assumed to be the Grandparents.

"Oh you're back!" called a frail but sturdy woman who rushed from the kitchen to grab Lily and Hugo in a hug. Then she went around to place a kiss upon everyone's head. She stopped at me and I saw joy in her eyes.

"Well you must be Lilah," she said. "You can call me Molly. Welcome to the family!"

"Thank you er, Molly."

"Can I call you Molly?" Albus joked and got a whack in the head with a ladle in reply.

"Ow!"

"Only if you want pea soup for dinner, Albus Severus."

I grinned triumphantly and he rolled his eyes in response.

I followed the rest of the kids over to a large armchair by the fire. They were all greeting a man with a bald head and big smile.

"Hey Gramps," Albus smiled.

"Hello Al. And hello Lilah!" he cheered. "I won't have to settle any family disputes with her too, will I?"

The whole family laughed and the living room almost shook with the noise. I forced a chuckle having no idea what he was talking about.

"No, Lilah has no known Death Eater ancestors," Mr. Potter answered.

"Speaking of which, Scorpius is coming over tomorrow, so everyone behave," Rose demanded. Oh, they must be talking about when they found out Rose and Scorpius were dating. I bet that was a funny sight.

"Mum, you take a break and I'll help with dinner. Lily, want to help me in the kitchen?" Ginny asked a put a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "And you, Lilah?"

"I'd love to!" I smiled and followed them into the enormous industrial kitchen. It smelled fantastic and had pots and pans scattered everywhere.

"I still think we should get house elves. Dad loves them, and we wouldn't treat them bad at all," Lily pouted and slumped in a seat by the counter.

"Lily, you known your aunt would murder us if we did. Now why don't you go grab us some sugar from the basement?" Ginny smiled as her teenage daughter rolled her eyes and stomped out of the room.

"Is she like this at school too or just with her parents?" Ginny sighed.

"Oh no, Lily's great," I said truthfully. I had always liked Lily and we were actually pretty good friends, I just didn't see her as often as I would have liked. I would wave when I saw her in the corridors but she was always surrounded by huge groups of girls, flirtatious boys, and sometimes both.

"And Al?" Ginny winked like it was some sort of joke.

"Erm, yeah, he's great," I said awkwardly as his mother took a ham out of the oven.

"I just think it's so great you two are finally going at it," she thought out loud and continued to bustle around. I grabbed a cutting board and started slicing carrots, unsure of what to do about everything else. "The other's would always tease him about you, and I knew what they were seeing was true by the way he reacted. And when he mailed and asked if you could stay I was positively thrilled!"

Um, what? "Were you?"

"Oh of course. Now when he wrote he didn't add any details but I just knew what was really going on. And when you two got off of the train my suspicions were confirmed! I saw how he looked at you-"

Does everyone really see this "look" but me?

"-And even Harry had to admit that you two were in love."

Oh Merlin.

"Erm, Mrs. Potter... Albus and I aren't, er, together."

She blushed a deeper red than I'd thought imaginable.

"Oh right, of course. Wait really? Um, never mind, I'm sorry..."

It had to have been the most embarrassing moment of my life. Thankfully Lily came trudging back into the kitchen with the sugar.

"Here you go, I must have fought off a billion spiders to get- hold on, what happened?" she asked as she noticed our matching, beet-red faces.

"I just made a mistake, that's all. Here, I'll take that, you girls send in your aunts and go enjoy yourselves!" Mrs. Potter squeaked and pushed us through the door. When we got outside, Lily gave me a suspicious look.

"I don't know what happened in there, but I'm glad it did. You saved us!" she suddenly smiled.

"Your mum thought Albus and I were 'together'," I said and Lily burst out laughing.

"If she does then the rest of the family probably does to!"

Kill me. "Peachy," I muttered sarcastically and felt my face grow hot. If that's what they all thought then this weekend was sure as hell going to be an awkward one.

Lily put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, she'll clue them all in so they don't embarrass themselves like she did. That's probably why she wants the Aunts to come help her, to let them know the truth."

"I hope so," I sighed but couldn't help feeling a little pleased that his whole family was convinced we were dating. Now if only Albus could think so...

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The worst part about staying at the Potter's was when everybody would go to bed. For two nights I couldn't sleep until the early hours of the morning, and when I'd wake up I'd be tired and groggy. Maybe it was sleeping in a foreign bed. No, that couldn't be it, I'd slept at Kate's house many times and never experienced this annoying insomnia. Maybe it was feeling lonely? But I was two feet away from Lily and I would listen to her steady breathes for hours, wishing they were my own. After lying in my bed for two hours I finally gave up and quietly tip toed out of the room and down the hallway. I wasn't exactly sure what I was doing but when I stopped in front of Albus's door I knew there was no going back.

"Albus? It's me," I whispered and gently knocked on the door. I expected he was sleeping when there wasn't a reply, but to my happiness, he answered the door and pulled me inside.

"I was starting to wonder when you'd come in," he chuckled and walked over to his closet. I looked around the room dreamily, admiring the dark wood floors, Qudditch posters, and scarlet bedspread.

"What do you mean?"

"I knew you haven't slept well by how mean you've been in the mornings," his muffled voice called from inside to presumably massive closet. If he had been next to me I would have punched him. "It was only a matter of time before you came to me for help."

I rolled my eyes. "Come off it."

"You're here aren't you?"

Bugger.

"Lucky for you, I know how to calm that racing mind of yours." Albus came out of his closet wearing a sweatshirt and Gryffindor hat holding two broomsticks and a jacket.

I gasped. "Qudditch, now? Al it's probably freezing outside!"

"Not Qudditch, but let's just go for a ride." He tossed me the jacket and broom. "Besides, adrenaline will keep you warm."

I would have protested but refrained. If this tired me out I'd be forever grateful. I zipped up the jacket (it was the same one I always borrowed, I noticed. I breathed in through my nose and welcomed the strong peppermint scent that greeted my nose) and joined him by the window where he was fiddling with the latch.

"What about you're parents? Won't they be mad, it's nearly midnight!"

"I've been doing this for years and haven't gotten yelled at yet," he shrugged and threw open the window. A gust of chilly air hit us and I shivered, but Albus shot me the crooked smile and I didn't fell anything but a tingling feeling in my stomach. "Come on Lilah, you aren't scared, are you?"

I scoffed. "Of course not!" He gestured to the open window and I stubbornly mounted my broom before taking off. Surprisingly it wasn't freezing, but it still wasn't warm.

"Race ya to the pond!" Albus yelled and speed past me. I leaned forward and shot after him, loving the familiar feeling of wind whipping back my hair and stinging my face. I managed to catch up with him and gave him a gentle shove as I passed him. We laughed until we reached our destination.

"Don't-mess," I panted as we hovered above the lake.

"I've learned my lesson," he declared and looked over at me, smiling. I felt my heart drop again; the light of the full moon was shining on his perfect face, bringing out the silkiness of his hair and emerald in his eyes. I filled with longing knowing that no matter how much I liked him, he would never like me back. He was Albus and I was Lilah; together we best friends. Just best friends. I looked away, afraid of my growing feelings of attraction, and changed the subject.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" I sighed as I stared at the full moon. It looked as big as a quaffle and I felt as if I could reach over and grab it right out of the sky.

"Incredibly," Albus mumbled and shook his head. "When Teddy was younger he used to watch the full moon until he fell asleep. He told me it reminded him of his father."

"Do you think he still does?" I asked intrigued. Although I never went to school with Teddy, I felt as if I had known him from how much Albus talked about him. I knew he admired him greatly.

Albus took of his hat and ruffled his hair. "I'm not sure. I think he did it out of loneliness before he realized how much everyone cared for him. And he has Victorie now, love usually tends to soften the blows of life."

"Wise words Dr. Al," I joked and he stuck out his tongue at me. "How would you know anyways?"

"I-I don't, I mean, I saw it in an article in my mum's Witch Weekly," he spluttered and I snorted.

"Oh shut up Parker or I'll knock you off your broom!"

"You wouldn't dare. I'm your guest, remember?" I smirked.

"Doesn't mean I have to be nice," he shot back and bumped into me.

"Watch it! So you're saying if I fell off this broom right now you wouldn't care if I went plummeting towards the ice covered water below?" I raised and eyebrow and he shrugged.

"Nope."

"Alright then," I said and leaned off my broom and started falling. I wasn't even airborne for more than three seconds before a pair of strong arms scooped me up.

"Are you mental?" Albus gasped. He looked terrified and furious at the same time. I knew he wouldn't have let me fall, but I didn't know he'd get so scared.

"Possibly," I yawned, feeling very tired all of a sudden. I saw Albus's face soften and knew I was forgiven.

"Let's get you home then, Ms. Dare Devil," he rolled his eyed and dropped me back on my own broom before we flew back towards his open bedroom window.

"I'm so...so..." I mumbled and stumbled into his room before collapsing unto his bed. Despite the cold hair that had been infiltrating the room for the past half hour, it was quite warm and very comfortable. Too tired to even realize it wasn't my bed, I crawled under the covers and sighed contently.

Albus chuckled quietly. "Alright, sleep in my bed, no big deal."

I didn't answer and instead breathed in the peppermint smell that covered the pillow and sheets. Albus crawled in next to me and I felt even warmer.

"Goodnight Albus," I murmured and searched for him with my hand. His own caught mine and I almost could hear him smile.

"Goodnight Lilah," he whispered. I quickly fell asleep from Albus's thumb stroking my hand and the familiar peppermint smell engulfing my senses.

Part one: complete. Part two: coming soon! All that I promised will be in it too, and more.

How'd you like this chapter? Please review! And thanks so much to those who have before, you guys rock! I appreciate them all greatly.

PS- Sorry for any spelling/grammar errors. I'm really not good at editing even if I looked over it twice.