I was right as per usual. Hermione instantly launched into the story of how she has single handedly saved us by setting Professor Snapes robes on fire.

"Wow, Hermione, you do something bad against a teacher. I never thought I'd see the day," I smiled.

"But really I don't understand why he was hexing you in the first place,"

Harry was in thought.

"Maybe he knows we've figured it out?"

I nodded.

"I see where you're coming from. We have gotten too close, he got freaked that maybe we were going to tell and decided to you know off us,"

Hermione looked astounded, Ron was just plain freaked out and then I gazed over at Rune.

"You know what, that sounds like a good reason to do it." She paused as we all looked on with dropped jaws. "I wonder if Hagrid would mind us having tea?"

Before I could say anything else the man in question turned up.

"Sure o' course, come 'long you lot,"

We were all settled around Hagrids table sipping tea from cups nearly the size of our heads when Ron started the conversation again.

"It had to have been Snape, cursing your broomstick," He turned to me. "And you Riley,"

Hagrid nearly spilt his tea.

"Rubbish. Why would Snape do somethin' like that?"

I looked around at the others, what did you say to a question like that.

Oh well Snape is trying to steal what you've taken from the vault 713 and hidden in the third floor corridor under a trap door guarded by the horrendous three headed dog that Runes' imagination turns into a puppy.

Harry decided on a less psychotic version but the truth none-the-less.

"I don't know maybe it has something to do with why he tried to get past that three headed dog on Halloween?"

Hagrid dropped his teapot.

"How do you know about Fluffy?"

"Fluffy?"

"That's a perfect name for him," I turned and looked at Rune, she had a very warped perception of reality.

"So wait, that thing has a name?" asked Hermione.

"Of course he's got a name – he's mine – bought him off an Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year – I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the-"

"yes?"

"Shouldn't have said that. No more questions, don't ask me anymore. That's top secret that is,"

"But Hagrid whatever it is that thing,"

I broke in. "Fluffy,"

Harry sighed. "Yes alright, whatever it is that Fluffy is guarding, Snapes trying to steal it."

"Rubbish. Professor Snape is a Hogwarts teacher; he'd do nothin' of the sort,"

"Hogwarts teacher or not, I know a spell when I see one. I've read all about them. Snape just tried to kill Harry and Riley. You've got to keep eye contact and Snape wasn't blinking,"

"Exactly,"

Hagrid motioned for all of us to get up, we walked to the door and I was rather upset with our shortened visit.

"Snape wouldn' try an' kill a student! Now, listen to me, all five of yeh – yer meddlin' in things that aren't ought to be meddled in and that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin', that's strictly between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel-"

"Nicolas Flamel?" Harry repeated.

Hagrid looked horrified.

"I shouldn't have said that, I should not have said that,"

He closed the door on us and Harry repeated.

"Who is Nicolas Flamel?"

"I don't know," I looked grimly at Hermione our resident know-it-all seemed to have no answer.

After that moment we all tried desperately to research Nicolas Flamel although most of us were finding it rather difficult and with another one of our Quidditch matches closing in quickly –this one against Hufflepuff- Harry and myself were spending more time training with our respective teams.

After that match it seemed that Christmas couldn't come fast enough. One early morning I had awoken to find that the outside of Hogwarts had been veiled by a good several feet of snow. The pure white blanket reminded me of a certain sketch book and secret admirer who had not contacted me in a few months.

"Well he can't always send you things can he?" Said Hermione one morning as I discussed the possibilities with Rune.

"I'm not expecting him to, but we can't very well narrow down the search with him not contacting me at all,"

"Well it's the festive season; he might go home to see his parents you never know," Rune butted in sneaking a bite from her licorice wand.

Because of the snow we were huddled up in the library where we had spent most of our free time lately, Hermione shelved a book and picked up her bag.

"Yeah that is a good point to consider Rune,"

I took lead as we walked out through the hall.

"GEORGE AND FRED WEASLEY!"

I had gotten quite accustomed to hearing these names being shouted out through the corridors that it didn't surprise me when Professor McGonagall appeared being followed by the two second years. I gave them a small smile.

"Whatcha do this time?"

"Have you seen Professor Quirrell lately?"

I shook my head.

"Ah that bewitched snow ball bouncing off his head must've been keeping him occupied.

Hermione grumbled something about respecting teachers and I laughed quietly.

"Hermione if I remember you are the one who set a teacher robes on fire,"

"It was to save your life," I saw her flush with embarrassment at being heard.

It was time for our next period to begin; I trudged into the potions class room, which being on the lowest floor was incredibly cold. I sat down next to Draco who was still my assigned potions partner.

"Afternoon Malfoy," I said in a manner that he probably didn't deserve though I did not wish to obtain a rude reputation.

"Ah good afternoon Riley. Sitting with me yet again I see, you really can't get enough can you?"

I ignored this comment.

During the class, in which we were making a confusion potion the blonde bombshell felt it necessary to dig wounds deeper then they had begun.

"I feel so sorry, for all those people who will have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home,"

I looked over to Harry, sure I wasn't wanted at the Dursleys but why did I need them when I had my brother to share the holidays with. Without them I would probably have the best Christmas of my life. It was good though that Ron and Rune would also be staying as Mr and Mrs Weasley would be off in Romania to visit his elder brother Charlie.

As we departed the dreary dungeon floor with yet another criticism on my initiative in making a perfect potion despite adding extra ingredients Harry pointed out the large black fir tree that blocked the way.

Ron was the first to step up to offer Hagrid some help.

"Hi, Hagrid, want any help?"

"Nah, I'm alright thanks, Ron,"

I was about to say something about the tree and decorations when the hairs and the base of my neck began to bristle. It was like a cat detecting danger, I turned around at met Malfoy and his goons.

"Would you mind moving out of the way?"

"Oh well we wouldn't want to disappoint Prince Trash Mouth now would we?" I motioned to Draco and smiled. He ignored me and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts I suppose that hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to."

"He didn't" Rune and I had taken a couple of steps forward but it was Ron who had lunged at the blonde. We pulled him back slightly as Snape wandered up the stairs.

"WEASLEY!"

The fabric of Malfoys robe slipped through his fingers as he let go.

"He was provoked, Professor Snape," I thanked Hagrid in my head but against Snape it wouldn't do much.

"Be that as it may, fighting is against Hogwarts rules, Hagrid." He turned from the fir tree and to our group."Five points from Gryffindor, Weasley, and be grateful it isn't more. Move along, all of you,"

I growled under my breath. "I hate him, both of them. No doubt Draco will turn out as lonely as Snape is,"

However only Rune and Hermione heard my mumbles as Ron was mumbling his own choice words at the same time.

"Come on, cheer up, it's nearly Christmas. Tell yeh what, come with me an' see the Great Hall, looks a treat,"

"I'd love to,"

I skipped after the slow moving tree, singing muggle Christmas carols under my breath.

As I entered the hall I glanced around, the hall was beautiful. I'd never been able to be apart of Christmas celebrations before but just standing in that hall made me feel like I could celebrate all my Christmases at once. There were multiple Christmas trees lining the walls, each decorated in glistening icicles and candles. Clusters of holly adorned the tables and some of the windows.

"How many days you five got left until yer holidays anyways,"

I smiled. "Just the one, oh I can't wait for it,"

Hermione cut in. "By the way that reminds me. We have half an hour before lunch, we need to go to the library,"
"Yes,"

Hagrid looked at us strangely. "Bit passionate their ey Riley. Just before the holidays? Bit keen to keep working aren't yeh?" Hagrid followed our group out into the hallway.

I nudged Harry but he opened his mouth anyway. "Oh, we're not working. Ever since you mentioned Nicholas Flamel we've been trying to find out who he is,"

I nearly giggled as Hagrids face fell. "You What? Listen here – I've told yeh to drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'"

Hermione intercepted Harrys next words.

"We just want to know who Nicholas Flamel is, that's all,"

"Unless you'd like to tell us and save us the trouble?"

"Well that's wishful thinking Harry,"

"It's worth it. We must have been through hundreds of books already and we can't find im anywhere. Just give us a hint please Hagrid. I know I've read his name somewhere already."
"I'm sayin' nothin,"

Ron motioned for us to go. "Just have to find out for ourselves then,"

I nodded and we continued off in search for the strangely elusive Nicholas Flamel. In fact we'd nearly searched every book in the library. Madam Pince had grown tired of reminding us to put back books. Hermione and myself wondered separate from the rest of the group if maybe the information that we were looking for was situated in the restricted section. Unfortunately we would need a teachers signature to view any of the books locked away in there.

Our search was as futile as the ones before it. Hermione and I joined up with the others.

I shook my head at Harrys hopeful expression. "No luck,"
We headed back to the Great Hall for lunch the final decorations, strings of golden bubbles had been put onto the last tree. We sat down. Rune and Hermione would both be leaving tomorrow.

"You'll keep looking while we're away won't you? And send me an owl if you find anything? Even about our little project," Hermione said as she took in a spoonful of soup.

"Of course Hermione. I Promise."

However once the holidays hit and I woke the next day, all thoughts of Nicholas Flamel fled from my mind. The school halls were mostly isolated, I spent my afternoons watching Harry and Ron play wizards chess, I was better than Harry but it seemed that Ron was obsessed with the game and I had only been able to beat him once. I spent time with the older Weasley twins enchanting the snow into snowmen or the suits of armor in the halls to sing Christmas carols with randomized lyrics. We froze the water in the toilets and turned on all the taps and froze them too. It turned the sink in the boys toilets into beautiful ice sculptures. One of my favorite things to do was make snowmen caricatures of teachers. I fell back into my bed after a practically vicious snowball fight with a heap of the second year boys and girls. Thoughts ran over through my mind. Tomorrow it would be Christmas day and although I wasn't expecting any presents besides what Harry would give me I was positive that it would be the best Christmas I had ever experienced. I changed in the bathroom, my room was empty as all the girls had gone home for the holidays. Rune had taught me how to play muggle music via magical methods and had lent me her device. I turned it on and played a soft melody as I got into bed. My eyes closed slowly before I heard the tapping at the window. I felt the pulse in my chest speed up and turned my head too quickly to the side. "Argh," I rubbed my hand against the crick in my neck and got up. There was that gorgeous owl again at my window. I let it in and grabbed a Christmas cookie from my side table. I had scooped a heap of them into my pocket during dinner so that I could snack on them later. I had also sent a handful off to Hermione and Rune with some small charm bracelets I found in the bottom of my trunk. The owl hooted at me, pleased by my offerings. I took the parcel that it had attached to its leg. I stroked the owls cheek while my right hand fumbled with the letter.

Dear Riley,

Hope you are having a happy Christmas. I know you like to read. You go to the library often so I thought you might like this. I don't expect anything in return. First years don't often get a chance to go out and buy things but I would like to hear from you.

D.A

I smiled at the letter and unwrapped the package three small red leather bound books fell out. Each only the size of my hand, they were a collection of poems and short stories from the wizarding world authors. I flipped through the pages reading the titles. Some stories were about werewolves, others trolls and mermaids. The poems ranged from Haikus to free verse.

I grabbed another sheet of my special paper, decorating it in a light green with gold and red trimming. My ink wrote in the same glittering gold.

Dear D.A

Thank you for the books, from the looks of them they are bound to be fantastic. I do love to read. But you seem to know a lot about me and I know nothing about you. Are you possibly stalking me? Hope you are enjoying your Christmas, maybe with your family? Thank you again, I'll be sure to read them. You said that you would answer questions in your letters, so let's play twenty questions it's a muggle game. We both get to ask twenty questions and we both have to answer truthfully. I'll start and if you don't want to play then you can just say so. Name three of your interests.

Riley

I attached the letter to a bag full of cookies and then to the leg of the owl. I munched on one of the last three left and gave half to the owl.

I stayed watching the owl fly off.

A meow at my feet startled me.

"Hey you," I picked up Rogue before getting back under the covers to sleep, the excitement of tomorrow bubbling up inside me.

My eyes flickered open and I touched my head. I looked over at my clock. 6am. I couldn't figure out why I had woken up so early until that oh-so familiar hooting sounded.
"Oh, hello," I opened the window again. "I'm afraid I don't have any treats for you this morning, I haven't been to breakfast yet,"

The owl ruffled its feathers, clearly upset by my lack of haste.

"Alright, alright,"

I detached the letter and watched Rogue preparing to pounce on the bird.

"No," I pushed her away playfull and opened the letter.

"I won't be writing straight away, I'll send a school owl go on," I didn't check to see if the owl had gone I just placed the letter on top of the books and headed downstairs into the common room. The common room had been fitted with a dazzling silver Christmas tree in the corner where a set of chairs used to be. Underneath that were piles of presents. Only a handful of Gryffindor students had remained over the holidays, maybe twenty or so. The piles were spaced out with little markers display which years they belonged to. The smallest pile was marked first years; out of the first years only me, Ron and Harry had remained behind. Surely not all of those could have been for Ron. My curiosity overcame me and I squatted down near the pile that was marked first years. I blinked back a squeal and some tears as I noticed that some of the presents were labeled. Riley Potter.

"Oh my, I HAVE PRESENTS!" It was only at that point that I remembered that the others were still asleep.

"Shut up!" an older male voice called from down the stairs.

A groggy looking Ron stumbled down the stairs.

"Sorry Ron," He smiled at me through half closed lids.

"S'okay,"

"I've never gotten presents before. Oh Happy Christmas,"

"Happy Christmas,"

I stared at the presents a little longer and Ron sat down next to me.

"Are you just going to stare at them?"

"Oh, I can open them can't I?" I clapped my hands together loudly.

"SHUT UP!" that same male voice.

I looked at Ron and mouthed, "opps?"

He smiled and grabbed the presents marked with his name; he pulled them into a pile in front of him and began tearing off the wrappings. I watched him blissfully before slowly collecting the presents with my name on them and sitting them in front of me. There were five in total. I moved my head back and forth trying to figure out which one I should open first. That's when Harry came down.

"Happy Christmas Riley. Happy Christmas Ron,"

"Happy Christmas Harry," We chimed in unison.

"Harry look, we have presents,"
"I've got presents," I smiled at him as he rushed down. He looked at the pile that sat below the first years sign. He sat next to me and grabbed his presents.

"Let's open them?" He nodded.

My first present was from Hagrid, it was wrapped in scruffy brown paper. He'd carved me a small wooden figure of a unicorn. I'd shown an interest during passing conversation.

"Oh, how adorable," I watched as the unicorn that was no bigger than the palm of my hand galloped across the room. The card that was attached read, not supposed to have charmed that, but I 'oped you like it. Hagrid.

I laughed slightly and looked over at the brown flute Harry had gotten. He made a hooting sound with it.

"Cool,"

I picked up the slip of card next, of course it would be from the Dursleys. For Harry they had enclosed fifty pence, I managed to get set of cooking cards, that appeared to have been cut out of magazines. The card told me that these would be the things that I would be cooking when I got back. I grimaced slightly.

Harry had read the note over my shoulder.

"They must really miss your cooking,"

I laughed, Ron had begun gulping down chocolate frogs which he had received and I noticed his new attire.

"What are you wearing Ron?"

"Oh, me mum made it. Every year she makes a jumper and every year mine's maroon." He pointed out two identical presents in mine and Harry's pile. Both wrapped in a snowy scene paper. "Look's like she's made ones for you too. I told her you wouldn't be expecting presents,"

I smiled and opened the wrapper. My jumper spilled out across my lap, it was in a rich emerald just like Harrys'. His was signed with a golden H, mine with an R. "They are wonderful Ron," I smiled and put it on, pulling it over my satin pajamas.

"You wont think they're wonderful when you get thousands of them,"

Inside the jumper package was also a pack of home-made fudge. I opened the container up and took a bite.
"Oh, this is yummy,"

The two smaller parcels were from Rune and Hermione. Both contained a marvelous collection of sweets and Rune had included my own magical music player and some muggle cds for me to transfer.

The last present sat in front of me for a while before I touched it. Harry was opening his last present and I looked over. A silvery cloak slid to the floor and he picked it up.

"It's a cloak,"

I looked at him.

"Really looked like a shoe to me,"
Harry's eyes widened.

"Do you think it's an object that makes people see it differently,"

"It looks like a cloak to me," said Ron inspecting it.

I laughed and sighed. "Ever heard of sarcasm?"

Harry flushed red.

"Well let's see then put it on," Ron was chewing on some every-flavor beans this time.

I blinked in shock.

"Harry," I pointed.

"Woah,"

"My bodies gone,"

"I've heard of those, it's really rare and really valuable. It's an invisibility cloak that is,"

Harry pulled the cloak over his head and it vanished. "I'm invisible?"

"Oh now that is cool,"

"I wonder who gave it to you?"

I picked up a piece of card. "There's a note Harry," I handed it to him and he read it allowed.

"Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well and a Very happy Christmas to you,"

I stared at him. "It was dads?"

He nodded. "Your last present is wrapped the same, maybe it's from the same person,"

I turned back to the parcel and started carefully unfolding the sides, nothing fell out of it. I lifted the note off the top of the thick black book carefully and read aloud.

"There are many times I wished you could have met your parents before they died. There are few things that are more important than family. You may have many questions and I only hope that these can answer some of them. Have a Very Happy Christmas,"

I tilted my head slightly.

"What do you supposed that means?"

I looked to Harry.

"I don't know it's in the same hand writing. It's from the same person. No name."

"Well what is it?"

"A book," I removed the big black book first, underneath it was a thinner one. I sat the big book to the side and began with the smaller one. As I turned the pages I recognized names.

"It's like an old Hogwarts year book,"

I stopped at the page that listed Lillian Evans and stared and the waving picture of my mother. Tears were forming in my eyes. Just below was a James Potter and he pulled faces at the camera. They both had Gryffindor crests on their chests and as I skimmed the other pages I caught glimpses of my father racing through the crowds during his own Quidditch matches and my mother cheering on the cheerleading team.

Harry was leaning over me now, watching the images with deep fascination like me.

I closed the book and it was hard. But I did it. I picked up the bigger book and opened that too. This was organized more like a personal photo album, it had photos of my mother and her friends, dad and even some muggle family portraits and other photos. I turned the page again and had to close the book. On the last page was a photo of two little babies crawling across the floor to a large Christmas tree. While a very much alive Lily and James watched them unwrapping their presents.

I placed the books underneath the other presents I had gotten, I would go through all the photos later in the evening when I could not be pried for information. The three of us sat in an awkward silence before Fred and George came bounding into the common room. Both were wearing blue jumpers with their first letter stitched on in gold.

"Merry Christmas,"

"Hey look, Harry and Riley have Weasley jumpers too,"
They looked at our jumpers. "She seems to put more effort in for outside family members,"

"I don't know why she insists on putting these blasted letters on them. I mean it's not like we'll forget our names. I mean I'm Gred and he's Forge."

"Why all the noise," Percy the eldest of the brothers who were still in school popped his head around the corner. I recognized is voice as the one who had told us to shut up earlier.

He had a jumper slung across his arm as well, his was in a bright orange. Fred grabbed it.

"P for prefect, or perfect little Percy! Get it on come on come one. We're all wearing ours, look even Harry and Riley have theirs on,"

George helped force the jumper over Percys head and I giggled.

He was helpless between the two as they dragged him back up the stairs shouting different things about Christmas and family time.

"We should head down for breakfast,"

"Oh wait," I jumped up taking my presents with me. I went into my room and grabbed the letter from my bed side table. I also grabbed a square package from my chest. I rushed back down and handed it to Harry.

"You got me a present?"

I nodded.

"Go on open it,"

He opened the wrapping and was ecstatic when he saw his new chess set.

The day was spent having snowball fights, playing chess in which Harry lost to both me and Ron and sitting around in front of the fire in the common room to dry our clothes, wet from the snowball fight.

I opened the letter that I received this morning and read through it.

I would be happy to play this twenty questions with you Riley and I am glad that you liked the gifts. No I am not stalking you but you seem to catch my eye. Three of my interests are, Quidditch, potions and sketching. But I'd never admit the last one. So if I understand the game that means that it is my turn to ask you a question. How are you enjoying your time in the wizard world? I'll await your answer by nightfall.

I wrote a quick reply. Telling him about my day, the gifts and how my time in the wizarding world had been. I discussed the horrible antics of one Malfoy and Professor Snape. I figured that if I talked about my loathing of Draco it could rule out the possibility that D.A was him. I commented on his choice of interests and my love of healing and potions. My next question was about his eyes. I wanted to know whether he had blue, green or brown. It might seem silly but it would be narrowing down my options. I sent it off with a few more sweets and headed down to dinner.

Christmas dinner was delicious, turkey and ham, roast pumpkin and baked and roasted potatoes with all sorts of Christmas puddings and cakes. My eyes nearly popped out of my head at the sight. I pulled a Christmas cracker with Harry and laughed at the real life pop that resonated through the hall, the usual paper crowns were instead comical hats including bonnets, halos, santa hats and snow men. Each animated with a little bit of magic. We giggled at the jokes and played with the magical toys that came inside them. I left the hall with Harry and Ron feeling full, content and complete.
"That is what a real family Christmas should be like,"