Happy Friday! Or whatever day you're reading this on, I suppose. This is a long-ass chapter, friends, because I didn't really want to split it into two chapters. Enjoy!

"They can't possibly do this!" I seethed, throwing the parchment onto the already messy table of Hagrid's hut. The snow blew around wildly outside, and the fire roared inside. Fang snored loudly from underneath the table, sleepy and content after eating the small napkin full of chicken I'd brought him from the Great Hall. Hagrid blew his nose loudly into a grubby handkerchief, then reached up to pat his eyes.

"Well they can, and they will," he replied, a few tears still escaping. "Malfoy made quite a stink about it, and you know he's got a lotta pull at the Ministry."

"It's not Buckbeak's fault that Draco Malfoy is a spoiled teenage boy who wanted to show up the Boy Who Lived," I exclaimed, and Hagrid chuckled sadly.

"Doesn't matter," he said. "You know how the Ministry is. Anything that isn't a wizard is second class, be it hippogriff or house elf, Muggle or merperson. It's not Buckbeak's fault, but Buckbeak isn't the wizard in this story."

"I hate politics," I muttered, plopping down in the seat across from Hagrid. "You know, maybe if Fudge didn't employ so many former Death Eaters, this wouldn't be such an issue."

"We can only dream," Hagrid responded, tilting a bottle of some unlabelled amber liquor at me. It hadn't been opened yet, and it sparkled in the light. "For Buckbeak?"

"You know, I can't really hold my liquor," I said, but Hagrid seemed absolutely distraught about Buckbeak's potential execution. "But maybe I could have one drink with you. After all, neither of us have any work to do tomorrow morning."

"Atta girl, Lottie," Hagrid said, grabbing a somewhat sketchy looking glass and filling it about halfway with the mystery alcohol. I grabbed it and waited as he filled his own glass before clinking mine against his.

"Cheers," I murmured before bringing the glass to my lips. The drink was warm. It didn't burn like firewhiskey, or even like regular whiskey; it was just warm. It was buttery, but noticeably stronger than butterbeer. It tasted like warm sheets just taken off the line, and like staying up until the early hours of the morning in front of the fireplace. More than anything, though, it felt as though my entire body were being slowly warmed from the middle out.

"Aberforth makes it special for some of his favorite clients," Hagrid answered without me even having to ask. "I've been getting it from him for years."

"This is wonderful," I said happily, taking another sip, this one bigger than the first.

"Just be careful with it. He usually makes it a little stronger for me, see? And with you being so little-"

"I'm fine so far," I cut him off. "Besides, you only poured a little for me. If you're that nervous, I won't even drink the whole glass, alright? I'll have half of what you gave me, and then I'll stop."

"That sounds fair," Hagrid agreed. I raised my glass once more.

"To Buckbeak and his good health."

"To Buckbeak."

As it turns out, it was probably a good thing that I had listened to Hagrid, seeing as after one quarter of a glass, I was already a little tipsy. I felt like how I imagined Sybil must have felt on a daily basis. I bid Hagrid a swaying farewell and wandered out into the snow. This was by no means the first snow of the year, but it was certainly the most blustery. I felt as though the wind would tip me over before I made it back to the castle, and I struggled to remain upright. I could see a figure in the distance, standing near the entrance of the castle, and I hoped it wouldn't be-

"Snape," I greeted begrudgingly as I finally reached the castle doors.

"Fraser," he sneered in response, giving me a once over. "Have you been drinking?"

"Have you?" I shot back without thinking. Oh, Merlin. Lottie, you idiot. Snape raised an eyebrow.

"With a mass murderer on the prowl, I felt it wise to avoid any sort of, ah, inebriation until it's safe. Best to be on one's guard at times like these, don't you think?"

"I completely agree," I responded. "Which is why I'm heading inside where I know it's safe, rather than staying out here like a lunatic with a death wish."

Before Snape could reply, I was inside, walking as swiftly as my slightly intoxicated body would allow. I was almost to my quarters when a large brown rat ran across my feet, and I let out a shriek. The rat paused to look at me, nose twitching, before scurrying off down the hall.

"Lottie?" I knew who it was without having to look, though I still turned around to see Remus advancing toward me in concern. "Lottie, what happened? Is everything alright?"

"Just a rat," I replied, blushing at how stupid I had been. He must have thought I was being attacked by Sirius Black or something. Remus chuckled.

"You're telling me that the woman who dodged the Whomping Willow to retrieve a student's broken broomstick is afraid of a rat?"

"It was a very big rat," I sniffed. "And it touched me."

"Oh, well, that does sound terrifying," he replied with a smile. He sniffed, and the smile faded slightly. "Were you drinking with Hagrid?"

"Is it really that obvious?" I grumbled.

"You're not really the most subtle woman I know," Remus replied, and I let out a huff.

"It wasn't even half a glass!" I exclaimed, and Remus laughed. "So you've guessed what I was doing out so late. What about you, Professor Lupin? Just out for a casual stroll, were you?"

"As it so happens, I was actually coming to see you," he answered, and I couldn't help but feel delighted. "I had a favor to ask you."

"Ask and it shall be yours," I replied jokingly.

"Would it be alright if we went inside? It's not that I'm asking anything illegal, it's just not something I need all of the portraits gossiping about tomorrow morning."

I answered by pushing open the door to my quarters and walking in, letting Remus follow behind and close the door.

"Can I get anything for you?" I asked, tossing my snow soaked robes over a chair, leaving me in a thick sweater and jeans. "Tea? Hot chocolate?"

"No, thank you," Remus replied, sitting on the small couch in front of the fireplace. I muttered a quick spell to light the fire and sat down next to him.

"What's the favor?"

"Help me with the Boggart one more time?" he asked, and I groaned. "It's for Harry. I'm going to teach him how to make a Patronus."

"Isn't that a bit advanced for him?" I asked, eyebrow raised. "I don't think I learned a Patronus until I was sixteen, and I couldn't create a corporeal one until I was almost eighteen."

"Yes, but there weren't Dementors hanging around Hogwarts when you were Harry's age," Remus pointed out. "I think he would feel more at ease just knowing how to handle them. I'm not saying that I hope he gets a chance to use it, but if he did face a Dementor again, at least he'd know what to do."

"That's very kind of you, Remus," I said softly with a smile. "I'll help you with the stupid Boggart."

"Thank you, L-"

"But can I ask a favor of you, as well?"

"Anything."

"Go to a wedding with me?" Remus blinked, and I continued quickly. "My best friend is getting married at the end of January, and she's insisting that I bring someone with me. I don't have a lot of male friends, so I figured I'd ask you. Really, if you don't want to, it would be perfectly fine."

"I'll go." I looked at him, and he smiled. "Besides, it's a good excuse to get away from Hogwarts for a night."

"Thank you!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around him. Remus paused for a moment, then wrapped his arms around me, as well, holding me in a comfortable embrace. We both pulled away after a moment and exchanged a smile. "Now when did you want to take care of that Boggart?"

"Not until after the New Year," Remus answered. "I just wanted to ask sooner rather than later."

"Good idea," I responded. I glanced at the clock. "It's almost midnight."

"So it is," Remus said. "Which means it's almost Christmas."

"What? No. Christmas is two days from now."

"It's Christmas Eve, Lottie," Remus chuckled, and I gaped at him.

"Are you kidding me? I still have to wrap everybody's gifts! I have to send them all, still! How could I be so absent-minded as to forget what day it is? You need to get out so I can wrap things!"

"I could help," Remus offered. "My wrapping's finished already, you know."

"You can't very well wrap your own gift, Remus," I shot back, pulling him up and pushing him toward the door as he laughed at me. "This isn't funny, Remus! This is very serious!"

"Oh, I believe it," he snickered, purposely moving very slowly and easily resisting my efforts to move him. "Is that the best you can do, Fraser?"

"It's not my fault you're such a fat cow!" I cried, thankful that the brief episode of tipsiness was wearing off. "Come on! Just go!"

"You're such a polite hostess," Remus said sarcastically, and I groaned. The clock started to chime midnight as we finally reached the door. Remus turned around and looked down at me, still grinning. "Ha-"

"Not until I have your gift for you!" I cut him off, placing a hand over his mouth. He chuckled and pulled my hand away, gently holding it in his.

"I was going to say, 'Have a good night,' you nutter," he said, dropping my hand. I blushed slightly.

"You, too, Remus," I replied before waving my hands at him. "Now shoo. I have wrapping to do."

I loved Christmas. I loved it more than any other day of the year, and that was saying something, seeing as I was the world's most enthusiastic celebrator of holidays. I lived for Christmas. I woke up that morning as excited as any child was to see gifts at the end of her bed, and I was even more excited to find out how others had liked the gifts they'd received from me.

Jenny had sent along the enormous bottle of wine that I'd picked out, and I knew she'd be pleased to be opening the box that contained the beautiful golden shoes we'd found for her to wear to the wedding next month. My parents had sent a thick jumper with the Puddlemere United logo on the front, my team of choice, and a camera "for Jenny's wedding." Hagrid, bless him, had sent a small bottle of the stuff we'd been drinking last night, with a note reminding me not to drink too much at once.

Gifts opened and thank you notes already written, I quickly got ready and was out the door, beaming. Last night's snow had settled into a light drift, and the castle was peacefully quiet from the lack of students. I could already smell the food as I approached the Great Hall, and, as food so often does, it made me giddy. What few students were left for the holidays were at their respective house tables, all chatting happily about their Christmas gifts. I scanned the faculty table for Remus only to come up short. Hagrid was missing, as well. However, I did notice that Minerva, Filius, and Pomona were discussing what seemed to be something quite serious.

"What's going on?" I asked once I reached them, and they turned to me. Minerva looked hesitant to speak, but Pomona just came right out with it.

"Potter's received a mysterious broomstick, and we think it might be from Sirius Black," Pomona explained, and I quirked an eyebrow.

"You think Sirius Black is sending Potter Christmas gifts?" I asked slowly, and the three of them nodded seriously. "You know, if I were trying to kill someone, I'd probably...oh, wait. Actually, that makes sense."

"Of course it does," Filius snapped, then immediately seemed to regret it. "I'm sorry, my dear, that was rude. We've just been trying to figure out how to handle this best."

"How did you even find out about it? I'm sure Harry isn't running around, waving his mysterious broomstick in the air."

"Miss Granger brought it to my attention," Minerva replied. "Smart girl. She was concerned for the very same reason we are."

"Well, have you confiscated it yet?" I asked, and the three professors blinked at me. "You haven't, have you? Well, you might want to start there."

"I suppose you're right," Minerva conceded. "Better we get it before Potter hurts himself somehow."

"Exactly," I said. "And if it proves to be safe, hopefully he can have it back in time for the next Gryffindor Quidditch match."

"Perhaps I should look it over," Filius said. "You know, what with me being the Charms master and all."

"A valiant attempt, Filius, but no," Minerva chuckled. "I'll retrieve the broomstick and have Remus look it over. As a former Gryffindor student, I can count on him not to take longer than necessary or somehow sabotage my Quidditch team."

"Minerva, I would nev-"

"Don't think I couldn't tell that's why you offered!"

"You did seem a little off, Filius."

"Pomona!"

I left the bickering professors to their business as I saw a fresh tray of pastries appear at the opposite end of the table. Happy Christmas, indeed.

I clutched the impeccably wrapped gift tight to my chest as I knocked on the door to Remus's quarters that evening. I'd spent most of the day with Hagrid, as well as avoiding the wrath of Gryffindor House. One of the students had overheard my suggestion that Minerva confiscate the broom, and I was now considered a traitor, much like Hermione Granger.

The door swung open to reveal Remus, looking fairly pleased to see me. I could smell hot chocolate from inside, and could hear the fire crackling.

"You're early," Remus noted, then jokingly started to close the door.

"No!" I exclaimed, squeezing in with the gift, careful not to muss the wrapping. He chuckled as I glared at him. "Didn't your mother teach you not to close the door on people bearing gifts?"

"No, she taught me not to let strange people into my home," he teased. I half-heartedly punched him in the arm before handing him the gift.

"Happy Christmas, you mean old man," I said warmly, moving to sit on the sofa. Remus followed and set his unopened gift on the coffee table."Oy! I worked hard on that wrapping so you could tear it off!"

"Calm down, Fraser! I'm just getting your gift!" he called over his shoulder, and I grinned. If I was good at anything, it was being annoying. Remus returned with a package wrapped in brown paper and tied off with a string. He sat down and handed it to me sheepishly. "It's not quite as well wrapped as yours."

"Nonsense," I exclaimed, grasping it dramatically. "This wrapping is fit for the Queen of England!"

"Just open it," he chuckled.

"You first!"

"Ladies first."

"Isn't that what I just said?" Remus glared at me and snatched the gift off the coffee table. I watched eagerly as he pulled away the wrapping to find two things. The first was a sizable box of Honeydukes hot chocolate mix, complete with peppermint spoons. Remus grinned at that and set it aside to look at the second gift.

The second one, I'd had some trouble procuring. I'd spent hours in the library, avoiding the uncomfortable presence of Madam Pince and searching through old yearbooks. However, after considerable trouble, I'd been able to find it: a picture of Remus and his school friends from their seventh year, the four of them grinning and laughing at the camera. Remus was so much younger then, and I saw his hands tighten around the frame. He looked up at me, then back down at the frame.

"Lottie, this is…." He was at a loss for words, and chose instead to embrace me. I accepted it gladly. He held me more firmly this time than any time before it, and I could feel all of the words he couldn't quite find.

"I knew you'd get all emotional over the hot chocolate," I whispered, and Remus laughed, pulling away from the hug and shaking his head.

"I can't tell you how much this means to me," he said genuinely, looking again at the photograph. "I haven't seen any of them in, well, twelve years now. I was thinking earlier about how I wanted to spend the holidays with them, and now I can. Thank you, Lottie."

"Happy Christmas, Remus," I replied, smiling warmly at him. He smiled back and handed me my own gift.

"I'm not sure I could possibly beat that," Remus said as I pulled the tie on the gift. "But I think you'll appreciate it."

I tore off the paper and opened the box inside to see a nice bag of coffee beans that smelled absolutely delightful and a worn leather briefcase. However, I could see that something about the briefcase was new. Ah, yes; it had been stamped with "Professor C.J. Fraser," and upon opening, I found that a charm had been cast to make the inside as spacious as any filing cabinet. I looked up and grinned at Remus.

"This is perfect!" I exclaimed, shoving my whole arm inside. "Look at this! I can carry everything around all day without having to run back and forth between classes! You did forget the 'associate' bit, though."

"Think of it as an optimistic gesture," Remus replied, smiling widely. "I'm glad you like it."

"Remus, I love it," I assured him, closing the briefcase and setting it down. "Really, you're too thoughtful. And the coffee will be gone within a week, I promise."

"I expected nothing less," Remus said, and we laughed together. "Now, would you have any idea why I had to take points away from Seamus Finnigan for saying some very nasty, very loud things about you in the Great Hall today?"

"I might have suggested that Minerva confiscate Harry's broom?"

"That would explain it! And now that I think about it, you might deserve what Mr. Finnigan said."

"Remus! It could have been cursed!"

"True," he conceded. "Minerva's bringing it to me to look over in the morning. I hope for Harry's sake that it turns out to be nothing. If Black has resorted to sending cursed items in the mail, Merlin knows what sort of damage he'll do."

"Hopefully he'll be caught soon," I said. Remus frowned slightly. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing. It's just…." He trailed off, staring at the photograph I'd given him, at the cheery looking boys in the photo. In this particular picture, Remus and Sirius were on either side of James Potter, with Peter Pettigrew standing on a step behind James and pulling faces at the camera. Sirius looked like a friendly boy, almost too friendly, and it was very clear that all of the boys were thick as thieves from the photo alone. Remus looked back at me. "I saw in the Prophet that he'll be given the Dementor's kiss. I know he's not the boy I went to school with anymore, and that he's done terrible things that I can't begin to forgive, but he was my friend once. As much as I want him to be caught, for the safety of Harry and every other student here, I can't help but wonder if my old friend is still in there somewhere, just waiting to be destroyed by the Dementors."

"I understand," I said softly, reaching up to grasp his shoulder. He didn't move away as I gently rubbed his back with my hand. "It's so completely understandable, Remus. You have every right to think like that, but I wouldn't say that to anyone else, yeah? That might make them a little suspicious."

"It doesn't make you suspicious?" Remus asked, turning to look at me, his eyes boring into mine. "There isn't any part of you wondering if I'm working with Sirius Black?"

"Not even a bit," I assured him. "You're a good man, Remus. You were friends with him once, but that doesn't mean you'd help him get into the castle to face your best friends' son. I may not have known you for very long, but I do know you."

"So you do," Remus replied, and we sat quietly for a moment. He looked back up at me. "I'm sorry for ruining the Christmas spirit."

"Don't be!" I exclaimed. "You haven't ruined anything! Besides, Remus, you should know by now that nothing ruins Charlotte Fraser's holiday spirit!"

Remus groaned as I burst into a horribly out of tune rendition of a Muggle Christmas carol that I remember my neighbors singing when I was younger. I laughed as he covered my mouth with his hands in an attempt to silence me.

"Did you just lick my hand?"

"GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING!"

"For a woman approaching 30, you're remarkably immature!"

"PEACE ON EARTH AND MERCY MILD-"

"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WOMAN-"

"GOD AND SINNERS RECONCILED!"

This might be my favorite chapter yet. What do you guys think? Also, reviews are appreciated. Reviews are very appreciated. Perhaps reviews will even be rewarded? Yes, I think that's a good idea. If we reach 25 total reviews by May 16, 2015, I'll write and post a short one shot featuring our heroine at age 11 and the current object of her affections at 17. Child Lottie? Teenage Remus? Possible Marauders? Oh man. Review away!