Merry belated Christmas everyone and a very Happy New Year! I know this chapter took a little while, but I am very happy to say, I have reached my personal goal for this year! I aimed to have ten chapters for this book uploaded and loved! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I did writing it and please, please leave a review to let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. The only thing I own is the plot that you might not recognise, any OC's you will be introduced to throughout this story and on occasion Oliver and Fred because they're just so hot! ;)

Without further ado, "Christmas and New Years"! Hope you enjoy it!

Sav

It was that time of year where the crystal white flakes of frozen water fell to the grounds of Hogwarts, where the ghosts would sing in the marble and sandstone halls, when Professor Flitwick would decorate the enormous tree in the Great Hall and mistletoe was hidden all around the castle. Christmastime was my favourite time of the year. I could drink hot cocoa, wear my snow boots and finally skate on the iced over ponds. The only thing I wasn't expecting was my now complicated relationship with my brother.

I was sitting underneath my favourite tree on the grounds when two hands covered my eyes from behind.

"Hi Oliver," I smiled as he withdrew his hands and sat down on the grass next to me.

"How are you Vannah?" He asked as he made himself comfortable by leaning up against the trunk of the willow.

"I'm exhausted, but knowing that I have to keep working on my Potions essay otherwise Snape is going to take fifty points from Gryffindor is a worthy excuse to keep going and I highly doubt people are going to be very happy with me if I lose points," I replied as I continued to skim through my Potions notes in a desperate, fueled attempt to finish my essay before tomorrow.

"You need help?" He asked, as he tried to look over my shoulder at the start of what I had already deemed a pathetic essay. He was silent for about five minutes, before he finally spoke.

"It isn't bad, but it could use a little work," he said bluntly, which was strange due to his usual sunny demeanour. But then again, it wasn't much different from his honest personality.

"What would you add? It's not exactly the greatest essay in the world," I confessed as I looked down sheepishly.

"Come on Vannah, I'm sure Snape will give a good grade for this once you finish it," he smiled down at me and I instantly felt my insides melt. How we managed to do that, I would never understand.

"Oliver!" An older boy with the same flaming hair as the Weasley twins approached us. Oliver visibly tensed beside me and I wondered what could possibly be wrong with the boy that stood before us.

"What do you need Charlie?" He asked, but his tone was non-friendly, patronising almost like he had a problem with the Gryffindor.

"I want to run over the game plan for next week's game! So stop flirting with your girlfriend and get to the Quidditch Pitch!" He yelled back, as he turned away from the boy beside me.

Oliver visibly blushed but threw his hand up in a bid to let Charlie know that he understood and that he would be there shortly.

"Goodbye Vannah," he whispered before he leant forward slightly and planted a kiss on my cheek. He pulled away and sent a wink my way and I prayed that he couldn't see how red my cheeks had become.

The Scotsman stood up from the ground and took off to where Charlie stood just a few seconds ago, but was now nowhere in sight.

I looked at the essay that was now discarded and forgotten on the leaf littered ground. There was something off about Oliver, but I knew that if something was bothering him he would have told me.

I closed my eyes and tilted my face up to meet the sky. There was going to be snow tonight, I could smell it on the air. I couldn't wait until the holidays. Don't get me wrong, I love Hogwarts, but knowing that I would soon be free of Snape and Potions? Couldn't come soon enough!

"Sav!" Angelina and Alicia came down the path to discover my not-so-secret hideaway.

"What's up guys?" I asked as I bent down to grab my Potions essay.

"It's almost time for dinner, so we thought we would come and grab you! Can you believe that tomorrow is the last day of classes?" Alicia asked me as she twirled around in a circle. Someone was a little too excited to leave, even if it was just for a couple of weeks.

"I can't wait!" Angelina cried as she jumped up and down in excitement and anticipation.

"I can," I whispered as I hoped they wouldn't hear me, but alas Christmas wishes don't come true unless it's actually Christmas.

"What do you mean? Christmas is great and I thought you would be happy to be away from all your essays!" Alicia's grin had faltered and I knew that I had to say something to stop the onslaught of questions that I was sure they were going to ask me.

"I don't know, I guess the whole thing with Christian and the fact that my parents hid the fact that I'm a witch for pretty much my entire life has ruined Christmas for me. Home just doesn't seem like home anymore," I finished as I looked to the ominous grey storm clouds that had started to tumble through the sky and over the grounds of Hogwarts.

"I'm sure they didn't do it on purpose entirely," Angelina stated as she put a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"I guess not," I replied as I picked up my book bag and started walking away from my fellow classmates. I felt terrible for not telling them the real reason, but it was either tell them the real reason or have a little white lie. I was not going to tell them that I would miss Oliver. Could you imagine the teasing I would endure if I told them that? Both Angelina and Alicia quickly fell into stride beside me as we quickly made our way back up to the castle.

"Are you going to miss us?" Alicia asked as she smiled a small smile. Her brown eyes twinkled with delight and amusement as I felt blood rush to my cheeks as I thought of Oliver.

"Of course I'm going to miss you guys! You're my best friends!" I argued as I started to feel raindrops on my arms and the back of my neck. My hair was so going to go curly.

"Vannah, wait up!" A very familiar Scottish accent rang out over the empty hills. Angelina and Alicia giggled quietly to themselves before they stopped to let Oliver catch up, which meant that I had to stop as well. Let the grilling begin.

"Hey Oliver," I greeted my best friend and waited for him to walk up beside us. Angelina and Alicia giggled again before they took off to the castle, which left only Oliver and I on the grounds. Oliver wrapped his arm around me and I almost gagged at the smell.

"Oh Oliver, you stink!" I laughed out with a smile on my face as I pushed him away from my body.

"I don't smell that bad do I?" He asked, as he lifted his arm up to take a whiff of his disgusting body odour. The look on his face made me smile in triumph.

"Told you," I poked my tongue out at Oliver in a mocking way before I turned around to head up to the castle. Oliver jogged to catch up with me and bumped shoulders with me when he finally reached my side.

"So what are you doing after dinner?" He asked as he ran a grotty hand through his equally dirty hair.

"Probably working on my Potions essay, are you offering your services?" I asked teasingly as I turned my full attention toward my fellow Gryffindor.

"Of course, the Lady Savannah needs a tutor, Sir Oliver would be more than happy to help," he bowed mockingly and put on probably the worst English accent I had ever heard and I had heard quite a few fake ones.

"Oh my lord, please stop. Just take a shower before sitting down next to me for dinner or for the study session ok?" I asked as we finally made our way up the dozens of steps to the upper courtyard. Dinner would be starting soon and I would be damned if I missed out on the mountains of food that was enough to satisfy anyone's hunger.

"Milady," Oliver's quick bow and his mock accent made me grin. I shoved him playfully and he responded with a laugh and a killer smile. A killer smile that made my cheeks flush, my knees weak and my whole body feel like jelly. How did he make me feel like this? I don't understand and I probably never would.

"Just go!" I cried out as we parted ways in front of the Great Hall. I walked through the open doors and made my way to where all my friends sat. I saw Angelina groan as she handed over ten galleons to Eila who looked quite surprised.

"Evening everyone," I smiled giddily as I remembered the past few minutes I had spent with Oliver. Angelina suddenly perked up and held out her hands to Alicia, Fred and George.

"You couldn't have come in sad or heartbroken could you?" Alicia asked as she reluctantly handed ten galleons over to Angelina, who currently grinned like a Cheshire cat.

"Why would I come in sad or heartbroken? It's Oliver, he wouldn't hurt me, not intentionally at least," I replied, as confusion laced my voice. I wasn't sure why they thought I would be upset, but it was a little nerve-racking and I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me slightly uneasy.

I sat down at the table and piled a humongous amount of food onto my plate. Fred and George looked at me with a worrying look, mirrored perfectly on each other's faces. If there was any doubt that they were twins, then there wasn't anymore.

"What are you doing? Feeding an army?" Fred asked as he tried and failed to swipe a drumstick from my plate.

"No, I'm feeding someone who hasn't eaten all day thanks to Snape's stupid Potions essay," I mumbled around the mouthfuls of food and watched my friends shake their heads in laughter.

It didn't take long until Oliver was walking through the doors and took his rightful place beside me. He gave me a soft nudge and pointed over at the Ravenclaw table. I turned around to see Christian with Eleanor. I knew my plan would work. I turned my attention back to my plate to see two chicken wings missing. I looked at the two mischievous twins but my eyes fell on Oliver who was happily nibbling the meat off of the bone.

"You'll pay for that Wood," I narrowed my eyes at the older Gryffindor and was about to pounce when I heard my name.

"Miss Chambers, I expect that essay on my desk by tomorrow afternoon," Snape's monotone voice was enough to make anyone squirm in their seats.

"Yes Professor," I replied as I continued to stare down at my plate. There was nothing I wanted more than to turn around and hex his ass, but that would be way too much fun and then I would probably get suspended.

"Nice performance today Wood, too bad Slytherin is going to win," Snape started to walk away with what I thought was a laugh, but I was way too freaked out to even think about it.

"Vannah?" Oliver's voice pulled me out of my reverie and I looked into his chocolate brown eyes.

"Yes?" I asked as I popped a grape into my mouth. I watched him as he flushed slightly, but then he shook his head.

"I was ah, wondering, if you might want to…" Oliver trailed off and rubbed the back of his neck. I had spent enough time with him to notice that this is what he did when he was nervous.

"Why are you nervous Ollie?" I asked as I laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. His cheeks turned red but he took a breath.

"I was wondering if you wanted to spend Christmas with me and my parents," Oliver's voice was rushed and I could sense the nervousness as it flowed off of him in waves.

"I'd love to meet your parents and to spend Christmas with you Ollie," I smiled as Oliver instantly looked relieved. He smiled at me then proceeded to steal another chicken wing from my plate. "Hey! You have your own plate, get your own food!" I cried out as I tried to receive my stolen food.

"You cannot possibly eat all this food!" He cried out with a smile. We had pretty much forgotten about all of our other friends when Fred and George cleared their throats. Oliver and I looked toward them with our eyebrows raised and smiles on our faces.

"Please stop flirting in front of us while we are trying to eat," George laughed, but Fred simply stabbed the vegetables that he had on his plate. Oliver and I blushed and shifted in our seats. Oliver started to pile a few things onto his plate and started to eat his food instead of my own.

"You ok Freddie?" I asked, but he simply ignored me. I didn't know what to feel, but I also didn't know what was wrong with the twin. I looked down at my plate and realised that I had just lost my appetite.

"I think I'm just going to go and start working on my essay, I'll see you later," I whispered as I got up from my seat, grabbed my book bag from underneath the table and watched as all my friends were confused at my sudden rainy demeanour.

"You ok Vannah?" He asked as he grabbed my wrist in his hand gently.

"I'm fine, I just really need to get this essay finished. I'll be in the common room if you want to help," I replied as I started to make my way to the entrance of the Great Hall and away from the hurt that I could feel from Fred's ignorance.

I finally made my way out of the Great Hall and started to make my way up the multitudes of hallways to the Gryffindor common room. I approached the fat lady and watched as she looked down at me with scrutiny.

"Password?" She asked as her voice was low and her accent thick.

"Braveheart," I replied and watched in satisfaction as she smiled and her portrait swung open to reveal the bright and bold colours of the Gryffindor common room.

I walked over to the couches and watched as the red-orange flames danced around each other in the brick fireplace. I had always felt calm and comfortable in the common room. There was practically nothing that people could do to make me angry or uncomfortable whilst being in the centre of this very room.

I heard the portrait door swing open and my attention was brought to the one person that could make everything better with just a look.

"You ok Vannah?" Oliver asked me as he made his way over to the couch.

"I would be, if I finished this bloody essay," I replied as I pulled the essay out of my book bag and practically threw it down onto the table.

"What's it about again?" He asked as he took it from the table and pulled it up in front of his face.

"Murtlap essence," I whispered as I looked hopelessly down at my hands. Sure, murtlap essence is easy enough to understand, however it wasn't easy to write a one thousand word essay on one stupid potion.

Oliver put his hand into my book bag and fished around for a few minutes. He smiled in triumph as he pulled out one of my favourite quills and a bottle of ink.

"This is the draft hey?" He asked, as he looked to me for confirmation. I nodded my head once and looked at him with confusion. Oliver then opened the ink pot and dipped the quill. He brought it out and then started to scribble all over the piece of parchment. He looked focused and determined and for some strange reason, I felt like I had taken second place in a race to the finish.

Oliver finished his frantic scribbles and it took everything in me not to peak at what he had written before he actually showed me. Oliver smiled to himself and then handed me the parchment.

"What do you think?" He asked as his accent became thicker with every word he spoke.

I read through what Oliver had added to the bottom of my pathetic essay and it was amazing. The way he had worded it made me believe that I had written it myself.

"Ollie, I can't use this, I'll get into trouble. It's plagiarism," I shook my head from side to side slowly and felt sad when I saw the look on his face. He looked almost crest-fallen, like he wanted to do it somehow.

"It's not plagiarism if I let you use it, right?" He asked as he looked to me for confirmation. I just shrugged my shoulders to indicate that I had absolutely no clue. I couldn't tell.

"Vannah, use it, that way you don't have to worry about doing the essay over the holidays and Snape won't get mad at you. Please?" He pleaded as his eyes gazed deeply into mine. It wasn't fair, he knew that I couldn't resist those eyes. I never could. I probably never would either.

Oliver was something else, but good all the same. There was something about him that I just couldn't put my finger on and it would always drive me crazy until I figured out what it was. But maybe that was the way things were meant to be.

He was supposed to be by my side, pushing me to be my absolute best. He was supposed to be there for me when no one else was and he was always there for me when Christian wasn't. He was an honorary Chambers.

"Oliver, would you like to spend the new year with my family and I?" I asked as my fingers tapped nervously on my knee.

Oliver looked shocked for a moment before he looked at me with the eyes I could never, ever refuse.

"I'd love to Vannah," he whispered before he leant over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek.

I smiled gently and turned to look out the window, but Oliver wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side, instantly making me feel warm and safe. We both started to watch the crystal white snowflakes float down onto the glass and through the sky and I then deemed it to be true.

Christmastime was the start of a new beginning.

Wow! How was that?! I loved writing this chapter and I hope you loved it as much as I do! Please stick with me as I continue to write the wondrous adventures of Savannah and Oliver!

Please leave a review and let me know what you think! All feedback is welcome!

Kisses from Australia xx

~Danger