IMPORTANT NOTICE! On Friday two chapters were posted at once for the update (chapters 8 and 9). Chapter 9 covers the train ride. If you did not read a dream sequence then you missed chapter 8.

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Chapter Summary: The 1995 Winter Break

Chapter 10: A Happy Christmas

Since starting Hogwarts Harriet had four very good Christmases. She wouldn't trade them for the world, but they were nothing to what she had this year. It was the best Christmas she'd yet to have though she had hope things would only get better with every year going forward.

It started as soon as soon as they disembarked the train.

Luna had told Hermione and Neville that if they were still off seeing to their duties she and Harriet would take care of their familiars and luggage. Given it was illegal for her and Luna to use their wands once off the train and that it was more to carry than they had hands Harriet went to enlist the twin's assistance. The two hemmed and hawed but soon it turned to banter between the three of them as they followed her back to the compartment. Ron had already returned to get his own things but the twins ushered him out of the way.

Drawing their wands they swished, flicked, and twisted some as they spelled the luggage down off the rack and charmed into growing dancing legs. With Fred leading the way and George bringing up the rear they lead the graceful luggage off in a parade. The only piece of left behind was Ronald's. Grumbling his suspicions that it had been done on purpose he heaved his luggage down himself. Wanting to help Harriet offered to take Pigwidgeon for him which he gratefully accepted.

With Luna taking Crookshanks' carrier and Trevor's habitat they headed out to the hall where they met up with Ginny. The twins absconded with her luggage leaving her with nothing to carry which incited some further grumbling from Ron. With Hedwig's cage being the largest and most cumbersome Ginny took Pigwidgeon and they joined the other students filing off the train.

A flash of red hair caught their attention as they stepped down to the platform.

"Bill," Ron called out and as a group they pushed towards him.

"No time for a chat," he said giving Ron a pat on the shoulder and Ginny a hug before relieving her of Ron's owl. The little bird flapped excitedly at being handed off again. "We best be going while the twins have the crowds attention."

Before they could ask what he meant Fred came marching along the side of the platform holding his wand like a baton. Apparently the twins hadn't sold all of their supplies after all as delightful bird fireworks were going off above the line of dancing luggage. With the people distracted by the show Bill led them off through the crowd.

Harriet enjoyed the lack of attention directed her way. She thought some of the reason she was ignored might be a matter of people not recognizing her. The pictures being printed in the papers were from the year previous with her in her Triwizard champion uniform. At the time she'd been a good deal shorter as had her hair. She generally just looked very different. In different clothes, with her head down but not so far down as to appear suspicious she wasn't easily recognizable to those who didn't see her regularly. Given how much taller she was then most of her fellow students people probably thought she was family come to pick someone up.

Bill lead them through the crowd to an anxious group of adults. They were an odd grouping with the Grangers dressed well but in a muggle style next to the eccentricity of Mr Lovegood, Lady Longbottom in her signature vulture hat, and Mrs Weasley in her in her homey attire. Mister Weasley sadly couldn't be there as his taking off work the day Hogwarts students were sent home might have drawn suspicion to Harriet departing. The Headmaster had held off adding their names to the list of students heading home for the holidays until the very last minute to avoid letting Umbridge report what they were planning to the Ministry. While being hopeful it had worked, Harriet knew that even if it had they couldn't linger for long. The plan was to get Hermione and her parents back to their car before using a taxi to take their group off before heading the rest of the way on foot.

After greetings were exchanged, hugs given, and one too many comments about just how much Harriet had grown, Lupin appeared bringing Hermione and Neville along with him.

"Remus," Harriet said embracing her former professor in a hug.

He was surprised by the warm welcome and physical gesture but accepted it easily. After a second he pulled her back at hold at arm's length to looked her over. With his inspection done he remarked, "You have grown."

Harriet fought off a frown and instead rolled her eyes. "So everyone keeps telling me," though it surprised even her the difference in her height when she went to hug Mrs Weasley. The woman seemed so much shorter than she had last Harriet had seen her which only showed how quickly Harriet had been growing.

Remus gave a chuckle but then his attention was caught by something in the background souring his expression. Harriet watched in confusion as he reached down to take Hedwig from her and hand her owl off to Mrs Weasley.

Concerned Harriet asked, "What's happening,"

"There's been a change of plans."

"What sort of change," Harriet asked taking a step back from Remus. Her hand moving to her wand.

Remus smiled at her sadly for her display of justified vigilance. "The last thing given to you before you left for the train in September was a packed lunch from your cousin. The second to last was a mirror that your father had once used."

Harriet didn't know how an imposter might have come across that information but both of those things had happened on the same day or could have been hunted out from Lupin's mind she felt compelled to ask, "What's the best way to get to Hogsmeade from Gryffindor tower?"

Lupin looked confused but his expression quickly cleared. As a question not readily related to her it wasn't something that someone would likely look into for a deception but Lupin would know and did.

"Harriet dear," Mrs Weasley said, "this really isn't necessary."

"I'm sure Moody would disagree Molly," Remus argued before answering Harriet with the correct answer. "A witch with one eye."

Harriet relaxed some. "Why is there a change in plans," she asked still wanting to know.

"All sorts here dear," Mrs Weasley answered for Remus in a whisper. Plenty who might think to try something even if it's only to follow to see where we go."

"Dumbledore thought it best you go home instead of going to the burrow," Remus said holding out his hand. The way he said home made Harriet feel he wasn't talking about the Dursleys.

Thinking she understood Harried nodded but ignored Remus' hand. She didn't know why but it was very prevalent in her mind that every time you part ways with someone, it might be your last chance to say goodbye. She gave her farewells to all her friends as well as the adults including the Weasleys 'for the act.' When she got to the Lovegoods there was something in Luna's expression that tipped her off.

"Take care of yourself," Harriet said distracted by that knowing look in her friend's eye.

"I will," Luna assured giving her a hug. "Say hello to John for me."

Harriet's gaze tightened with suspicion. "What do you know," she pressed but Luna's eyes only twinkled in amusement in a way far too similar to their headmaster for Harriet's comfort. It made all of her scalp was itchy.

Before anything more could be said Remus was laying a hand on her shoulder and declaring it time for them to leave.

"Have you ever traveled by side-along apparition," he asked her.

"No," Harriet admitted with some trepidation. She did know what apparition was though and she didn't have high hopes for the experience given her history with any form of magical transportation that wasn't a broom.

"It helps if you exhale first," Remus warned her.

Harriet didn't like that warning.

She only just had time to let her breath out before everything went black as tremendous pressure bore down on her body from every direction like something was trying to compress her down into a diamond. She couldn't breathe in. Her lungs were too weak to push against the force on her torso as they would need to to expand. She felt like she was going to break but then just as quickly as it had closed in around her the pressure and the darkness were gone along with the platform and all their friends. Harriet didn't have time to figure out where they had gone to as she was breathing in a desperate breath. Feeling sick to her stomach and bent over with her hands on her knees but thankfully didn't throw up. That had been awful. Just awful. Her instincts about apparition had been entirely correct.

"You get used to it," Remus assured her, making Harriet turn her head to look at him in disbelief.

Remus smiled at her expression while reaching out to rub comforting circles on her back. "Deep slow breaths," he advised but Harriet was already distracted. She recognized the bit of wall behind Remus. They were at the entrance to Diagon Alley out back from the Leaky Cauldron.

'Say hello to John,' Luna had said.

Having an idea why they were their Harriet's heart rate kicked up with anticipation.

"Are we going shopping," asked hoping Remus would tell her no.

"Maybe," Remus answered instead.

Getting her standing straight and walking he led her not into the ally but into the pub which raised Harriet's hopes further.

As they made their way inside she eagerly looked over the scant crowd. She spotted some familiar faces but the one that stuck out the most was Mad-Eye Moody who got to his feet when they entered. He was making his way for the stairs which was where Remus was leading her. Harriet now felt certain she knew what was coming.

At the top of the stairs Moody was waiting for them. Harriet greeted him and got a gruff, "Lupin. Potter," in return before he tilted his head for Remus to lead the way while Moody took the rear.

Harriet's body thrummed with anticipation as Remus lead them through the halls until stopping besides room seven. He brought his fist up and let it hover against the door while he smiled at Harriet wishing her, "Happy Christmas Harriet," before giving the wood a sound knock.

Holding her breath she waited for an answer so wanting to be right. It took a moment before a familiar distinctly American voice was calling out, "Just a minute."

Harriet beamed at Remus with excitement and pleasure. He looked pleased in return. Turning back to the door she bit her tongue to keep from shouting back and spoiling the surprise. It felt like an eternity to Harriet before the door swung open to reveal her favorite person in the world.

She'd expected a fight to get the Order to allow her to see John but instead they delivered her right onto his doorstep.

"Harriet," John said blinking in surprise.

"I hope we're not disturbing you," Harriet replied cheerful. She hadn't even finished the words before John was wrapping her up in a hug. She laughed spoke her words as she hugged him back. "No, really. We could come back later if it's a problem."

"Oh hush," John told her gently as he continued to draw out the hug. So Harriet did. Still smiling she focused on the embrace and getting to see John again.

***

Voldemort had known the order was up to something with how many had been in the Leaky Cauldron that day. He never expected them to deliver Harriet to him so soon. He'd arranged for 'John' to returned from his travels the day before to ensure he would be there if the chance arrived but he hadn't expected he would actually see her on the day of her return. He had expected it would take her days of begging and bargaining before anything might come of it. Given the time Voldemort thought they must have come directly from the train station. He supposed it made sense given how the Order seemed to think. By springing Harriet on John the boy he was supposed to be shouldn't have time to prepare anything ill willed if that was his intention or to send word for back up if he was working for the Ministry or the Dark. Given some of their foolishness in the past Voldemort was almost impressed though if it was him in their place John would have been captured and interrogated with truth serum at the very least before ever seeing Harriet. If any actual Potter's showed up that was certainly Voldemort's intention.

Keeping Harriet in his arms he pulled back to smile at her before putting on a show of only just noticing the intimidating form of Mad-Eye behind her. He blinked in apparent surprise before allowing a contemplative expression to fall into place as John seemingly sorted through his memories for all the time's he'd seen the man before. After all Mad-Eye had a very singular appearance and Voldemort refused to present himself as a fool who would not recall him with how often he had been around.

For show Voldemort shook his head before putting on a smile, "Come in, come in," he told them keeping Harriet by his side as they led the other two into the room. He wasn't comfortable having them at his back but there were appearances of trust and inexperience to maintain.

"John, this is Remus Lupin and Alastor Moody," Harriet introduced before adding with a bit of sass, "my body guards."

Remus gave her a look for feeling it necessary to tac that on but Moody accepted the title as his due. "With the war starting again you need bodyguards Potter. Unless you don't want to live to graduate from Hogwarts."

"I couldn't agree more," Voldemort said. He could see a hint of the perturbed look Harriet was sending him in his peripheral and gave her a squeeze. Reluctantly unwrapping his arm from around her he presented his hand to Moody. "It's nice to finally put faces to the names."

While Moody's normal eye stayed locked with Voldemort's, his magical eye was scanning the offered hand. Finding nothing amiss he took it and gave it one firm shake before letting him go.

Turning to Remus Voldemort offered his hand as well.

"Harriet's told you about us," Remus asked as they shook.

Harriet answered for herself. "You were friends with my parents and my teacher, and I thought Moody was my teacher for a year." The 'what do you think' came through in her tone.

Voldemort wondered not for the first how much of this attitude was adolescence and how much would remain with Harriet into adulthood. From what he remembered of her parents Voldemort expected Harriet would keep a sharpened edge to her tongue for the rest of her life. While her father was known as the trouble maker, Lily Potter had developed a reputation as the insolent mud-blood who mocked Death Eaters during attacks. She never dared with him but with some of the strongest in his number she certainly had.

"Thank you for bringing Harriet," Voldemort told Remus as he wrapped his arm back around her.

He noticed the way the werewolf's eyes tracked the movement not 100% approving. He still smiled as he replied, "Christmas is a time for family."

"But there will be conditions," Moody said taking over. Voldemort looked at him expectantly while Harriet signed resigned. "You go no where without your full escort, who all are not here yet."

"We get to go out," Harriet interrupted sounding thrilled.

"To the muggle side of things of our choosing yes," Remus told her. "We don't think its safe to be going about Wizarding spaces for the time being. We'll be avoiding London as well."

Voldemort frowned. "Wouldn't the crowds be good? Let us just blend in with the muggles?"

Moody looked happy with John's thinking. "Too hard to keep track of you. Too much risk you'll get separated away from your escort."

"Once everyone else arrives we'll be heading head out," Remus explained.

Voldemort nodded while Harriet eyed Moody. "You're going with us," she asked clearly skeptical.

Moody's mad eye latched onto her. Voldemort couldn't help but to tense some. He didn't like Harriet under such scrutiny. A smile stretched Moody's face as he found humor in what he was about to say, "I'll have my eye on you. You can be assured of that Miss Potter."

With the unsettling thoughts that conjured set aside Voldemort asked if they would be waiting so long that he should call for tea. With a pot on it's way he led Harriet to the table in his room and asked her about her morning but she rushed her recounting as she was more interested in getting answers from Remus. It was already fairly late in the day, almost time for supper really, and she worried exactly how much time she'd have with John. Would it be all she would get over the holiday?

"With Christmas being a time for family am I going to get to see him on the actual day," she pushed.

Remus was weak to her pleading eyes but Moody was not. "We'll see how this goes before we decide anything further," Moody told her while his eye swiveled to the door. He lumbered over just in time for a knock to fall on the door. Young Bill Weasley, the next member of their escort had arrived.

He reported to the group that the Grangers, Lovegoods, and Longbottoms all were safely home and after a brief stop at the burrow for appearances the Weasleys had gone to where they would be staying -headquarters Voldemort assumed though the eldest Weasley son wisely didn't say such- and would see her later. After that he introduced himself to John and settled in to chat. The boy was easy going and had a kind of charisma. Voldemort allowed it to appear that John was getting pulled in by him as they talked and 'made friends'. He was certain to keep Harriet included in the conversation and approved when Bill did the same. Meanwhile Remus and Moody held back to observe.

The next of the escort to arrive was Mr Weasley who had left work an hour early for the duty and was eager to go out into the muggle world again. He happily greeted his son with a hug and the same for Harriet while John got a handshake. Voldemort was darkly amused imagining how the Weasley patriarch would react if he knew just who's hand he was shaking. Not that Voldemort would ever allow him to find out.

With Mr Weasley a part of things conversation became a bit more hectic but it wasn't long before the last of the escort arrived. It was two women around Bill's age who appeared to be siblings. Voldemort didn't recognize them or their features as belonging to a specific family. There was a chance they were new recruits but given it was Harriet they were protecting Voldemort found it much more likely that the faces were a disguise. As the women came forward to introduce themselves one was presented as Tonia and the other as Serena. Given the names Voldemort suspected he knew who the two might be though he truly hoped the order had enough sense to be more original. If Tonia tripped, bumped into, or spilled anything before the night was up he felt confident he could assume he was meeting Miss Tonks. As for 'Serena', if that was who Voldemort thought them to be, than someone was being a bad dog.

While Tonia tried to introduce herself to Harriet she did not have the girl's attention. Harriet was too busy studying 'Serena' who was flirtatiously introducing herself to Voldemort. He could see there was no intent to it. All the physicals reactions spoke to it being a show. Given who he thought this was he chose to present John as uncomfortable with her manor. This only encouraged 'Serena'.

When she finally moved on to greet Harriet the girl took the woman's hand while studying her face. Suddenly the intense scrutiny Harriet was showing became fury. Her hand tightened around the woman's making her cringe in pain.

"Can I speak to you in private," Harriet demanded. Not giving her captive a choice she dragged them off to the bathroom.

"It's not girl's troubles is it," Serena asked nervously.

Harriet slammed the bathroom door behind them.

Thoroughly amused Voldemort put on his best nonplussed expression and asked, "Um, would anyone care to explain what just happened?"

***

"What are you thinking," Harriet demanded of him as soon as the bathroom door was closed.

Wincing Sirius quickly drew his wand to cast some privacy spells. Harriet waited with her arms crossed and scowl on her face until he was done before she continued.

"What part of it not being safe for you to be out have you suddenly forgotten Sirius?"

He tried for a smile. "I suppose I should have known better than to think I could get something past the eyes of a seer."

Harriet squinted at him. "It has nothing to do with being a seer. Anyone who knows you could see it in your expression and how you talk and- Changing your body doesn't make you less you. But that's besides the point," she said waving her hand around. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to meet your John," Sirius explained knowing it was a weak excuse.

"And you couldn't wait till we weren't in the wizarding world?"

"It's nothing to get so worked up over. It's hardly the first time I've been to Diagon Ally wanted man," Sirius admitted lightly and then immediately regretted it.

Harriet's eyes went wide. "You- What? When?"

"…The only way to get anything from my vaults was to go to Gringotts in person."

"What did you need that was so important," Harriet asked incredulously. Then realization hit her and she was dropping her head into her hand. "Oh god my broom!"

Sirius grimaced. "Not your broom… well, not just your broom."

Not even Harriet's glare could encourage Sirius to continue. He wasn't going to make any more excuses. He knew it had been foolish. He knew he was currently committing to further foolishness but he just couldn't help himself.

As Harriet's expression turned from anger to pity Sirius just wanted to shrink in on himself and hide.

"We need to get out of here," Harriet declared with a sigh. "We need to get you, me, John, and everyone else out of here and far, far away from any wizards. Your face might not be recognizable for the moment but mine is."

Sirius nodded. Yet again unable to stop himself, he offered, "Anything more you want to get off your chest before we head back out there?"

"Yes," Harriet agreed.

Sirius braced himself for further verbal lashing but instead found himself pulled in for an embrace.

"Missed you," his goddaughter murmured into the top of his head.

While the polyjuice had made him shorter he still felt the need to comment. "You really have grown," to which Harriet snorted while Sirius wrapped his arms around her. "Missed you too… not mad at me anymore then?"

"For this summer or showing up here," Harriet asked pulling away.

Sirius smiled. "Both."

"No, not mad anymore," Harriet admitted. "But I will be if you go on flirting with John just because you find it funny to watch him squirm."

"Who says it's just to watch him squirm," Sirius said offhandedly.

Harriet blinked and asked with earnestness, "You like him?"

Chuckling Sirius admitted, "No dear. Just having some fun with you two."

"You know it would be okay if you did. I wouldn't judge you. Tease you, but not judge."

While it was very nice to hear Harriet was the understanding sort the lad looked too painfully like James and far too similar to Harriet for Sirius to ever consider him in that light. "I have no interest in John."

"Then no more flirting with him."

"No more flirting," Sirius agreed easily. "Scout's honor."

Harriet rolled her eyes, "Do you even know what that means?"

***

Voldemort had never allowed himself to be taken along with someone else's apparition. To submit to someone else's control in such a way was unacceptable in the past but for Harriet he allowed Moody to take his shoulder and whisk him off to places unknown.

"Where are we," he asked when they landed as the Weasley's arrived with the rest trailing after.

Rather than answering Mad-Eye threw an invisibility cloak around himself and disappeared. Voldemort rolled his eyes.

Walking over to Harriet he linked their arms together and started leading them out on to the main street at a leisurely pace from the secluded spot the Order had dropped them into. "What would you like to do?"

"I'd suggest a Panto, the Christmas market, or maybe some ice skating, but I don't think we have the time," Harriet said all smiles however Voldemort knew those weren't arbitrary choices. All three were things Harriet had never gotten to do. He had a list held in his mind of all the traditional Christmas activities Harriet had never been afforded the opportunity to participate in. He didn't think they would be able to see to them all this year but he had included them in his plans for the future.

"What about dinner," he asked.

"Dinner sounds good," Harriet agreed.

"I can suggest a few places," Remus said speaking up.

"Any Indian," Voldemort asked knowing the Dursleys had never allowed anything so 'foreign' in their house.

This is how he found himself crowded around a table with most of Harriet's escort while Moody presumably watched from near by. In this setting Harriet and his easy familiarity spread from them to the others. The conversation flowed easily as they shared their evening meal with everyone telling stories of their travels as John had started things off by telling them about Norway.

They were almost half way through their meal when Sirius, having topped up on his polyjuice potion, laced fingers to rest his chin on them before asking, "And what is it you're planning for the future John? Will you travel as a man of leisure all your life?"

With the attention of the table waiting on him Voldemort took a sip from his glass before speaking. "No actually. I've been looking into living here long term for some time. With Harriet here this is where I want to be," he finished looking at Harriet who smiled at him before turning back at her food.

"You might have a hard time with that," Bill Weasley pointed out hesitantly. "Gaining Residence Rights can be tricky. The only one I know to have done it is Fleur Delacour. She's said she was only reason she was accepted was because of her part in the tournament along with Gringotts' backing. Given your connection to Harriet I can't see it happening."

Harriet, Voldemort noticed was keeping her eyes fixed on her plate.

"I think I found a way around that," Voldemort revealed. There was of course marriage, the path the ministry most pushed for as it guaranteed new blood for the waning British lines but he would not be indulging in that for something so trivial. "There's an exemption made for those working for the ministry along with a fast track towards citizenship after five consecutive years of service."

Silence held the table for a moment with Harriet being the one to break. "What kind of position were you thinking of," she asked holding back her disdain for the thought of her cousin working for that corrupt lot though not completely succeeding.

"Auror," Voldemort answered without hesitation. "Sooner or later people are going to realize you aren't lying. When that time comes there will likely be an increase in applicants but that may be too late. We need new recuites training now, so I'm putting myself forward."

"I think that brings us back around to the same problem," Remus said from besides him at the table. "Given your connection to the Harriet it is unlikely they will let you in."

Voldemort shrugged leaning back in his chair. "Your friends close and your enemies closer? As a foreigner the ministry has little to no power over me and none whatsoever if I leave the country. If I work for them I have to tell them where I am living. They'll have a way of keeping track of me for most hours of the day. While I'm going through training I'll have very little actual authority and once I'm official they'll have leverage over me. I have to be interviewed at the start and I will have to be honest about my intention in joining at least in part to gain citizenship. They could use that against me. Or at least they'll probably see it that way."

"Slytherin thinking," 'Serena' pointed out.

"Clever thinking," Harriet defended. The next words out of her mouth completely derailed the topic of conversation. "The two aren't mutually exclusive. Slytherin can't be all bad. The hat wanted to put me in there after all."

Voldemort hid his smile behind is glass as he observed the reactions to that bit of news from around the table.

"And Mum was Slytherin so watch what you say," 'Tonia' added.

Feigning ignorance Voldemort asked, "I thought you two were sisters."

"Half," Sirius and Tonks said at the same time before stealing a quick glance of surprise at one another.

'Great minds,' Voldemort thought sarcastically while patting Harriet on the back as she coughed into her serviette as she choked on her laughter. Aloud he remarked, "But you look so alike."

Once dinner was dragged out for as long as it could be Voldemort insisted on picking up the check. He left a large tip for the waitress who had patiently explained the menu to the table answering questions and recommended Harriet's favorites of the evening. With night having set in there little time left before Harriet would have to leave but the others allowed them a walk down main street to do some Christmas shopping.

Since the revelation of Harriet's being inheritance Snape had banned all synthetics and enchanted wear from her wardrobe until they had more assurances these things weren't exasperating her condition. While this didn't leave Harriet walking down the streets naked it did limit her already decimated wardrobe. Things that had fit in September she had already outgrown and while she'd been supplementing the losses with things bought from Glad Rags all of their wares came with some basic charms already applied as well as often using materials that were magical in nature.

Sirius or 'Serena' as Voldemort was still expected to believe him to be enjoyed spoiling Harriet as much as Voldemort did. He however didn't have muggle currency on him to back his desires but realizing John did he simply took to encouraging the cousin to buy for the girl what the godfather would have.

In time the bodyguards rather forgot what they were there for with Arthur drawn in by all the bits and nuances of muggle life, Bill keeping his father out of trouble, Sirius was focused on an evening out with Harriet, Remus became lost in enjoying the evening, and Tonia or rather Tonks was sticking close to the werewolf's side through it all making conversation and pullings smiles and even laughter from the usually mopey man.

In the end it took Mad-eye whispering from his cover to remind the other adults of the time and to bring their evening to a close.

After a long goodbye the others went with Harriet to headquarters while Moody saw to it John was deliver safely to the Leaky Cauldron. When they landed at the entrance to the ally Voldemort turned to Mad-Eye. "I guess this is my stop he said light heartedly."

He held out his hand to the man. "Thank you for tonight. It meant the world to see her. Letters just aren't the same."

Already he could feel the ache of being parted from Harriet after their limited time together.

Holding his eye Moody took his hand and didn't let go. "Did you mean what you said boy. You intent to become an auror."

"I did" Voldemort agreed easily. He wasn't lying, though he had lied about relying on the cleverness of ministry employees to get him in. When his spies eventually reported John Potter's application he would be ordering that they see it accepted laying out the same reasoning he'd done for the Order. Whether it got him citizenship or not it would add to his persona as John and the validity of that identity which was integral to his plans for the future. "I have the papers up in my room. I intend to submit them once Harriet is back at school."

Moody sucked his teeth before saying, "When you're done with your application give it too me. I'll see it gets in the right hands."

"Table in the corner, as usual," Voldemort asked to make it clear John had recognized Mad-Eye as a regular patron of the pub.

Moody gave a grunt.

"And will I see Harriet again," Voldemort pushed.

He was answered by the crack of Disapparation.

Harriet still wrote him that night and Voldemort sent a reply for her to have come the morning as was their usual way. Harriet wrote him again come night to tell him all about her day decorating headquarters with Sirius and the Weasleys. In return he told her about his day exploring different places he might wish to live. The next morning Mad-Eye was waiting down in the pub with an untouched tea and the morning edition of the Daily Prophet. He signaled for Voldemort to follow him and skipping his breakfast he did. Without ceremony or greeting Mad-Eye latched onto his shoulder and took them both away. They landed on the outskirts of a city with Harriet and her entourage waiting for them.

They were allowed six visits over the course of the break when the Order members could match their schedules to provide a suitable guard. Whatever Harriet wanted to do with the time they had Voldemort did his best to arrange it. Panto, market and ice skating all as well as much more.

Ice skating was not something he had ever done before. He did not enjoy appearing less than competent as he tried but when Harriet saw his frustration she smiled and when she fell she laughed. Being able to see for himself her joy made the experience bearable for Voldemort.

Through a letter he learned that having heard about their experience at the pantomime the Weasley children persuaded their parents to let them go as well. Once plans were made they sent out word to Luna, Neville, and Hermione to join them. They decided to make a whole day of it exploring muggle London and the various Holiday attractions that were in place. Harriet had a wonderful day, her only regret being that was John couldn't join them. But they still had their time together.

Christmas Eve was their own. They remained in John's room where Harriet helped him to set up decorations and dress the tree he had gotten. They had dinner -which Voldemort had specially ordered from the best magical restaurant- with their guard for the evening consisted of Sirius, Remus, Moody, and for the first time Miss Tonks wearing her own face. After dinner they sat themselves on the floor to open presents.

"Mine first," Harriet declared. Reaching into her wolly bag as she called it she pulled out a package done in festive wrapping and presented it to Voldemort. Inside was a muggle cardboard box and in that on a bed of gold flecked tissue paper was an elegant though oversized dark green jumper with metallic gold threads running through it.

Smiling Harriet produced three similarly sized boxes. The two wrapped she handed one to Sirius and Remus each and the unwrapped one she kept for herself sending an apologetic look to Tonks and Moody for excluding them before turning back to explain. "I knew you wouldn't approve of a proper Christmas jumper, not for yourself anyway but I thought you won't mind that," she explained to Voldemort before turning to Sirius and Remus. "And I made it a set so we could all match."

Where his jumper was predominately green Harriet's was white but still with the gold while Remus and Sirius had similar jumpers representing their house pride in bold red and gold. Once they were all dressed Voldemort retrieved his new camera knowing Harriet would appreciate having a photograph of the four of them in front of the tree. Once they had gotten a few shots Harriet invited Mad-Eye and Tonks to join them for the next. After that knowing they had a camera Harriet wanted to go on capturing the tree and the people she cared about. Eventually Tonks had to volunteer as photographer for the evening to get Harriet back to presents.

From Harriet Voldemort received a book on the history of the Potter's in England, a photo album with pictures of the two of them and Harriet's friends taken by Mr Creevey during the visit to Hogsmeade Voldemort attended to give Harriet their delivery boxes after Hedwig was attacked. The rest of his presents would be saved for his stocking come morning Harriet told him, but their was one last for the night. From her wolly back she sheepishly presented to him a large soft package with two smaller packages going to Remus and Sirius.

"Originally I thought I could learn knitting from Hermione and make us our Christmas jumpers," she admitted while they unveiled her last present. "I've always loved jumpers Mrs Weasley gives us. I thought it would be better if I went for the personal touch… but I ah, wasn't really good enough."

From their packages Sirius and Remus produced less than ideal scarves while Voldemort had received a blanket.

"I think these at least turned out decent," Harriet finished hopefully.

While Remus and Sirius assured her she'd done just fine and revealed to her Lily's attempts to learn in order to make something for baby Harriet, Voldemort was too entranced with his gifts to speak. The book of Potters to show she accepted him as a part of the family, the album to remember their times together with pages left empty in the hope of future experiences, and a blanket made with love given to him to cover and protect while reminding of that caring.

"John," Harriet asked drawing his attention up. "Do you like it?"

To answer he pulled her into a hug. "I've never been given anything that meant so much to me."

When he pulled back he smiled at her mischievously. Getting to his feet he declared, "My turned," before heading off to the bathroom to retrieve the mountain of presents he'd hidden in the tub.

When Harriet saw the pile she smiled, just the tiniest bit however refusing to show approval for his extravagant ways buried her face in her hands and groaned. "Haven't you bought me enough already?

"Never," Voldemort declared while continuing back to his spot to place the packages down.

Looking partly up from her hands Harriet raised an eyebrow at him. "Last year I had owned one time piece in my entire life and it was a hand me down. Now I have eight," she said accusingly.

Voldemort nodded. "One to match your dress robes, three for your time in the muggle world, and four for your other days. I do keep track of what I get you, you know. If I didn't I wouldn't know what you still need," he concluded looking down on her.

They held each other's gaze for a moment before Harriet cracked rolling her eyes and dropping her hands while Voldemort smiled in victory.

"Now I won't want to hear anything more from you about what is and isn't necessary. Besides these aren't all actually for you," he revealed beginning to sort things down into small the piles. He'd gotten something for all the order members he'd met as well as Harriet's friends. He'd paid for most of those presents to be delivered by post owl in the morning but for the Weasleys and Order members he would be sending them back with Harriet.

Finding the four presents he was looking for Voldemort handed them out to the others and was surprised to get a present in return. A book on defense jointly from both Sirius and Remus. He thanked them before taking his seat and sliding Harriet's presents to her to be opened. She still found the number and the items themselves to be too extravagant but Voldemort knew she was secretly touched to know someone cared and was willing to spend their money on her.

While she saw to her things so to did the others. For Tonks a simple color changing scarf, for Sirius a muggle book on pranks, for Remus a collection of defense texts from some of the countries John had recently visited, and lastly, for Mad-Eye one John Potter's completed Auror application.