Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from J.K. Rowling's universe.

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Olivia and her roommates stood on the Hogsmeade train platform, readying themselves for their Christmas visits home. All of their families were home that year, but Olivia was glad that Bertie had asked Millie to come home with her. For some reason, however, Olivia's own holiday plans had been disrupted. She, too, had been asked to stay with Bertie, but her guardian had written that he especially wanted her home with him this Christmas. She didn't want to disappoint him, so she decided to spend Christmas back in the Muggle world that year.

Little did she know that Professor Merrythought herself had been to visit Mr. Williams, and it was this visit that made Olivia's return home necessary. Professor Merrythought was quite kind, but candid when she told Mr. Williams of his ward's experiences over the term. Mr. Williams, however, had been livid.

"How could you allow something like that to happen?" He had roared at Professor Merrythought, who remained maddeningly calm through the onslaught. "How hard is it to keep a small girl like Olivia safe?"

"My dear sir, I completely understand your reaction. However, I don't think you grasp the entire situation. I know that you were informed of the incident at Professor Emelius' trial, correct?"

"You mean the bloke that tried to kill Olivia last year?" He replied angrily. "Yes, I got some letter from the Ministry of Magic talking about how he had taken an entire courtroom captive, and then tried to kill an old woman that Olivia liked. Then, there was some nonsense about Olivia bringing him down with a…a…feather of some sort? Ridiculousness, of course. Mad. The only reason I didn't withdraw her from the school right there and then was that I was so grateful for her to have her voice back, and I felt that you lot deserved the benefit of the doubt. I see now how wrong that idea was."

"I assure you, what happened inside that courtroom and what you were told was not madness. That is indeed what happened. However, we now have reason to believe that Emelius is alive, and we think that it was he who was behind this hideous attack on your ward. Believe me, sir, when I say that we care deeply for Miss Price, and wish for her safety and well-being as much as you do. Keeping that in mind, while we do have magic at our disposal, we are not all-knowing, nor all-powerful. We blunder just as much as the average Muggle.

"Which brings me to my point," she said, leaning forward. "Olivia has just been through a horrendous ordeal, and we at the school feel that it would be best if she spent a quiet Christmas, with time to recover. She has received an invitation to spend her holidays at a classmate's home, but we were afraid that it would be too stressful for her. Are you open to having her here with you for the holidays?"

"Of course; I never wanted her to spend Christmas away in the first place. I just didn't want her giving up all her fun for me, though."

"Excellent. If that is the case, the Ministry will be giving your home extra security while she is here."

"Now see here," Mr. Williams said, his throat swelling alarmingly, "who are you to just assign your so-called security to my home? I'm perfectly capable of looking after one small girl, thank you, which is more than your school can say."

Professor Merrythought appeared to have reached the end of her patience. "Mr. Williams, can you perform magic? Can you disappear and instantly reappear somewhere else in the same second? Can you fight a wizard? No? I thought not. There is a wizard out there, somewhere hiding, and he wants Olivia dead. He's so powerful that he managed to disarm an entire courtroom while he was under guard, and he has managed to elude capture despite our diligent and best efforts to apprehend him. Now, if you feel that you can protect Olivia effectively from him, then by all means, do so. However, if you have even the slightest feeling of doubt, we will be providing security for your home. We just won't take that chance with Olivia's life, and it would be selfish of you to deny our help because of your pride. Because if you don't manage to put aside your arrogance, sir, then your ward will die, and there will be nothing you can do to stop it from happening."

Mr. Williams put his head in his hands. After a few moments, he said croakily, "All right. I see your point, and I surrender. Protect her however you think best." Professor Merrythought nodded and made to stand up, but Mr. Williams lifted his head suddenly, and said, "However, you owe me some answers."

The teacher answered slowly. "I will answer whatever question you ask that I know the answer to, but I must assure you, I by no means am aware of everything that involves this highly unusual case."

He nodded. "Very well, then, answer what you can. Why," he stopped for a moment when his voice caught, then continued, "tell me why this man is after my Olivia?"

Professor Merrythought's reply was so quiet that Mr. Williams almost didn't catch it. "I don't know, sir. I've seen many cases of wizards and witches going bad throughout my years, and I've never known one to pursue a victim like this, especially when it's just a child. It goes beyond all rationality."

"Thank you," said Mr. Williams brokenly. "I have just one more question." Professor Merrythought nodded slowly. "Why do you care so much, the Ministry, I mean? Why are you expending so much energy to protect one small child, who isn't even a fully qualified witch? Surely it isn't the common practice of the Ministry of Magic to provide security for one girl."

Professor Merrythought stood and started to walk towards the door. She put her hand on the doorknob, but then quickly turned around to face the young man. "We are doing this for two reasons. The first is because Olivia is just a little girl, and not fully qualified. Therefore, we must expend every effort to see that she doesn't come to harm, because she cannot effectively protect herself. That sentiment goes towards all our pupils. But…Olivia's different. I think we all sense something in her, something deep down and hidden."

"What?" asked Mr. Williams thoughtfully. "What do you sense?"

She swallowed hard before answering. "We sense a child that is more intelligent that just about any other that we've taught. She's wise beyond her years, and I believe that she will become one of the greatest witches that our school has ever produced. She's learning things that most of our students don't learn until much farther into their magical training. But that isn't all that sets her apart. Olivia loves, and loves with reason or inhibition. And anyone with that great capacity for goodness and compassion is well deserving of our protection." Opening the door, the professor left quietly, leaving Mr. Williams wrapped up in his own whirling thoughts.

"Livie? Livie, are you listening to me?" Olivia started, and turned towards her friend. "Come on, Livie, the train is here." Millie took Olivia's arm, and led her onto the train. The girls found a compartment to share, and then settled down for the long train ride ahead of them.

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It was a good Christmas for Olivia, for several reasons. It had been fabulous to see Uncle Peter again. At the station, he had run forward, lifted Olivia into his arms, and swung her around in the air. Inwardly, he rejoiced to hear her delighted laughter trilling through the air so musically. Finally, he set her down, both breathless. They laughed even harder when they saw all of the disapproving looks that their actions had garnered from the people around them. "Well then, Olivia! I'm very glad to see you, my girl. Merry Christmas!"

Olivia grinned up her guardian, who had already picked up her small suitcase and tucked her hand protectively into his own. "Merry Christmas, Uncle Peter! It is good to see you again. How is everything at home?"

He sighed dramatically. "Moving along, I suppose, much helped by Mrs. Fidgetworth and her thrice-blasted broom. Whenever she sees me moping, she tries to hit me with it. I always manage to dodge her, though," he said brightly, a devilish grin on his face.

"Oh, Uncle Peter!" Olivia laughed. "You're so silly. Why were you moping?"

"Oh, I missed having a certain little red-headed girl around the house," he said in a depressing sort of way. "You see, I've cut down on my traveling schedule, and…"

"Uncle Peter!" Olivia interrupted. "You're not traveling so much? Why, that's wonderful news!"

He grinned widely at her. "Thank you, Firefly. I'm glad you approve."

She gazed up at him, puzzled. "You've never called me Firefly before, Uncle Peter. Why did you just now?"

"Well…that's always what I call you in my mind, and it just kind of slipped out," he replied sheepishly. "You're so little, but everyone can see you because you shine so brightly."

"That's just my red hair, Uncle. It is distracting, I suppose," she replied morosely, sending a scornful look at the red brain on her shoulder.

"That's not what I meant, Firefly, but you'll see in time. Come on, let's get you home."

It took a long time to drive back to Mr. Williams' small cottage, and by the time they got home, Olivia was asleep in the back seat and the stars were shining. Mr. Williams parked gently, and quietly opened his door and took the sleeping girl into his arms. A look of worry passed over his face when his arms took her weight fully, and he realized how delicate and thin she really was. Reassuring himself with the fact that Mrs. Fidgetworth would fatten her up soon, he carried her into the house, laid her on her bed, and covered her with a warm blanket.

And so the days slipped by peacefully for Olivia. She found herself relaxing in her guardian's home, and he went out of his way to be diverting. Trips to the zoo, games of chess and checkers by the fire at night, and long conversation over cups of chocolate and tea established the easy-going feel of the holiday. Every evening, though, the routine was the same. Olivia would seat herself at her piano, and play softly while her guardian either read or dozed in his big armchair by the fire. Then, they would read together, and say goodnight.

Olivia found, however, that she didn't always have her guardian to herself. A young woman named Rebecca Pullman often joined them on their jaunts, with Uncle Peter simply introducing her as "a friend." Olivia didn't feel that it would be polite to question the woman's presence, but she found herself observing her guardian more closely when the lady was around.

Rebecca had long golden hair, but her eyes were a deep, chocolate brown. Her hair was always caught up in a twisted knot at the back of her neck, and her dresses were always flawlessly tailored. For all of her prim look, however, Rebecca was loads of fun to be around. When they went to the zoo, wrapped in heavy cloaks and fur coats to protect them against the cold, Rebecca started talking to the polar bear at the exhibit; she said that they would fit right in. When Uncle Peter beat Olivia at a game of chess, Rebecca looked shocked, and then chased him around the room with a broom while Olivia laughed hysterically. Yes, Rebecca was a fun woman, and Olivia found herself hoping that things were as they appeared to be; she believed that her guardian was falling in love with the young woman, and she couldn't approve more. Somehow, they made a warm, loving family. However, Olivia didn't think that Rebecca knew that the little red headed girl was actually a witch-in-training. How would she react to news like that? So, she held herself back a little bit, and waited.

Christmas Day dawned bright, and while it was freezing cold outside, it just made the sky look clearer and bluer than Olivia had ever seen it. It was thrilling, to have Christmas in your own home. Presents were piled high on her bed, and Olivia had a shrewd suspicion that Uncle Peter had been waiting outside her door to wake up, for he came in at her first stirrings to watch her open her parcels.

From him, there were several new books, dresses, but the best gift was to come. After she had opened those first few small packages, he handed her a much bulkier present to open. "Uncle, what is this? You've given me so much already!"

He grinned broadly. "Just open it, why don't you? It's actually from both Miss Rebecca and I."

Olivia, intrigued, carefully unwrapped the present, and into her lap spilled a lovely quilt. She immediately recognized the material that had been used-they were all pieces of clothing from her parents. That square was from her father's shirt, that heart was from her mother's old apron, and there was a flower made from a shirtwaist that her mother had embroidered. Tears choked her throat, and she looked up with shining eyes at her guardian.

He cleared his throat, and said, "I hope you don't mind our cutting them up, dear, but Rebecca and I thought it would be nice for you to have this. It would be like taking your parents with you, no matter where you are. And when you wrap up in it, it will be like they are wrapping you up in their arms again. Miss Rebecca actually made the quilt. Do you like it?"

She couldn't speak for a moment, as she just sat stroking her new treasure. "Like it, Uncle? Oh, thank you so much, you and Miss Rebecca! It's like seeing them again," she said as she looked at each piece in turn. "When I see the material, I remember the days that they wore the clothes, and the fun we had. It's like a photo album, but one that I can touch and cuddle with. It's priceless." They embraced warmly, and after she had wiped her eyes, Olivia continued to unwrap her other presents.

From her roommates, she received quite a few nice things. Anita and Mattie had both sent books, Anita's being a rare Charles Dickens text, while Mattie's was a book on magic; Viola had sent a lovely eagle feather quill, which Olivia carefully put away. Bertie had found blue Quidditch gloves, which Olivia was immensely pleased with. Millie's present, however, was much her favorite. It was a wizard photograph, which Uncle Peter was astonished to see move. The black and white figures within it were of the dormitory mates, when they were outside. Olivia suddenly remembered the day that it had been taken, only the third day back from school. The girls had all gone down into the grounds where the wildflowers were still blooming down by the lake. They were sitting in the waist-high grass, and the figures were waving at the camera, laughing, and their arms and hair were full of wildflowers. It was a lovely, happy picture and Olivia smiled when she saw it.

There were only two packages more, one from Madame Galen and one, which Olivia was pleased to see, was from Professor Dumbledore. Madame Galen's gift was a book on sports injuries, and how to heal them magically. Olivia flipped through it excitedly. Why, if she had known these spells, she could have fixed Silas up in a heartbeat at the last game! It was an extremely useful gift, and she was pleased.

Professor Dumbledore's gift was quite small. She opened it up, and found inside it as small golden ball. A note fell out beside the ball, which was written in Professor Dumbledore's writing. It said:

This is called an Assistball, which is closely related to the Remembrall. If you ever find yourself again in a place where you cannot escape, all you have to do is speak into this ball, and someone will come and find you. You don't even have to be holding it; it can be sitting in your pocket. Some powerful wizards can even speak mentally into their Assistball, and help comes. If anyone can pull off such a feat, I know you can. Happy Christmas!

-Professor Dumbledore

Olivia fingered the bright, golden ball and smiled. He recognized that she was still afraid of being helpless again, and he knew that this gift would help her with that fear. This was another step towards healing, and it was a large one. Perhaps she wouldn't have to be powerless again. She slipped the smooth golden ball into her bed jacket pocket, where it warmed her side to her great surprise.

The rest of Christmas Day continued to get better and better for Olivia. Miss Fidgetworth succeeded in making a huge feast, which Miss Rebecca joined them in. She smiled delightedly when Olivia thanked her for the quilt, like the compliment had made her day. After dinner, while Uncle Peter and Rebecca talked in the drawing room, Olivia felt like running around a bit. She went to ask permission of her guardian, who at first smiled, and then frowned. She cocked her head at this unusual behavior. What was wrong?
She could not have known what her guardian was thinking when his ward asked his permission. At first, he was pleased with this newest development of Olivia's energy. When she had first arrived, he had found her to be lethargic, and unable to keep up with him for long. It was wonderful to see her returning to her old, active self again.

However, Professor Merrythought's words of warning had sunk deep into his heart. Would it be safe for her to go out on her own? Still, the Ministry had provided security, which he occasionally glimpsed standing guard outside at night. Surely it would be safe for her to go outside for a time. Having reached the decision, he graciously granted her request, and she hastily bundled up in a warm cloak, hat, scarf, and lined snow boots.

This being done, the small witch burst out the door and ran down the path towards the small park across the street where she and Millie had played the summer before. She wandered around for a while, admiring the beautiful formations of the snow, and laughing at the snowmen other children had created. Suddenly, something caught her eye-a snowball went whizzing by in the trees before her, and then she saw what had seemed wrong-it zoomed around a tree in its path! Someone was practicing magic back in there! She hurried forward, and burst through the trees, where she saw one of the absolute last things she'd expected.

Robert Potter was standing in the safety of the trees with his wand out, and facing him were two small children, who were laughing and trying to dodge his snowflakes. He hadn't seen Olivia approaching, who decided to join the fun in her own way. Ducking back behind a bush, she drew out her own wand, which she was never without. Pointing her wand at a snow drift, she mentally charmed it to zoom towards Robert. Bulls-eye! She managed to knock his hat right off. He looked surprise, and glanced all around him. "Who's there?" he cried out. When no one answered, he shrugged, picked up his hat, and slammed it back on his head.

"Come on, Rob, keep trying to get us! We aren't scared!" cried the small boy, while a little girl laughed and feinted back and forth. Robert bewitched another snowball, which managed to catch the little girl on the heel as she darted by. She squealed in delight at both the cold and his skill.

Olivia giggled, then pointed her wand at the snow bank again, and sent it back towards Robert's hat. However, her old trouble with dealing with ice came back, and instead of going towards Robert, the large snowball instead zoomed around a tree, catching Robert's eye. He turned to follow where it went, as it headed directly back to Olivia's shrubbery as she tried desperately to command it away. No luck. SPLAT! Down it came, right on top of her head, knocking her over into the snow. She lay there, sputtering and coughing around her mouthful of snow, while she heard pounding footsteps coming towards her. "Olivia?" came Robert's voice incredulously. "Is that really you?"

Suddenly, the whole situation struck her as hilariously funny, and once she had managed to swallow the snow in her mouth, she burst out laughing heartily. Robert started to chuckle, and leaned down to help her up. Soon, all four kids were laughing so loudly that their guffaws were ringing through the trees. Finally, they managed to calm down.

"You and ice!" said Robert, pretending to be annoyed. "I suppose that was you that knocked off my hat a moment ago, you little vixen?"

"Yes, that was me. Wasn't it funny? You should have seen the look on your face!" Olivia said, beginning to laugh again, her chest heaving hard.

"See now, stop that!" He said sharply. "Come on, now, what are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here?" asked Olivia, putting her small hands on her hips, managing to look completely harmless. "I live here, you Gryffindor fanatic! That's my guardian's home, right there through the trees and across the road." She pointed towards the cottage, which Robert looked at intently.

"Ah, I had wondered who lived in that place. Nice little house. Well, I'm very glad to see you, Livie. I was worried about you at the end of term."

She sobered instantly at this reminder of her ordeal, but then shook off the memories and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry about me, Robert. I'm doing quite well; Uncle Peter takes good care of me, and out housekeeper, Mrs. Fidgetworth, is enjoying making us both fat. I'm very glad to see my big brother again; I missed you."

He smiled gently. "I missed you too, and I'm glad you're ok. I know that it was probably hard to get over…good grief, what am I doing, talking about this? You probably don't want to at all. I'm sorry."

"No, no, don't apologize, Robert. I'll admit to you that at first I was….well, more angry than I can ever remember being. But then I saw what a mess Darcy was, and somehow, my anger just seemed so….I don't know, insignificant. Have you heard from her at all?"

"Yeah, I got a letter and gift from her this morning. I think she's doing as well as can be expected. Dumbledore figures that when she was in the Black Forest, whoever it was managed to coax some erklings to lead her to him. They make irresistible music, you know, and that would explain how they managed to fool her. Her mother's smothering her a little bit, but I think she feels better. She'll make it; I know that your forgiveness meant a lot to her." He looked intently down at the small girl before him. "She never wanted to hurt anyone. Not ever."

She put a thin hand on his arm. "I know that. I'm not angry at her. I..."

"Robbie, aren't you going to tell us who this is?" The children, who had been waiting impatiently for Robert to finish his conversation, were tugging on his cloak for attention. He tore his gaze away from Olivia reluctantly.

"Sorry, Livie, I should introduce these kids. They're my little cousins, though very distant cousins, something like fifth or sixth. Still, I put up with them," he said, ruffling the small boy's unruly black hair, who protested. "This young man here is Jackson, and this lovely young lady," he pointed at the small girl, who smiled and giggled shyly, "is Angelica. We call her Angie." Angie appeared to be quite young, probably four or five. She had the same black hair as her brother, but hers fell in straight shiny locks down to her shoulders. Both children's eyes were bright blue, and they had rather sharp noses.

"I'm very pleased to meet you both," said Olivia, smiling. "I'm Olivia, and I got to school with Robert."

"They've heard me talk about you; they know all about you. Say, I have an idea!" Robert said excitedly. "Why don't you come home with us for a few minutes, and meet my folks? My mother's dying to meet you. We only live just through there," he pointed through the trees.

"Oh, Robert, I'd love to see your house and meet your family. But I'd need to get my guardian's permission first, and he'd want to meet you. Why don't you come over for lunch tomorrow, and then I can come home with you? Do you think that would be all right?"

He grinned. "Perfect; I'd like to meet the famous Uncle Peter. Well then, what time do you want me? Should I bring my broomstick?"

She looked alarmed. "Goodness, no, don't do that! I don't think our housekeeper even knows that I'm a witch. Not that I'm ashamed of it, of course," she said hurriedly. "But witches just have the worst reputation…"

"I understand. All right then, no broomsticks, no magic. What time is lunch?"

She grinned, relieved. "Oh, why don't you come around at noon? That way you can talk to my Uncle Peter for a bit, and then we'll have lunch at 12:30."

"I'll be there!" Robert said cheerfully. Suddenly, he looked at the watch on his wrist. "Merlin's beard, I promised my mother I'd have these two back at our house ten minutes ago! I'd better beat it! I'd wonder if she mind if I just grabbed them both and Apparated…."

"Don't try it, just in case. You sure wouldn't want to Splinch them or something." Olivia replied, grinning wryly. "See you tomorrow, Robert!"

"Sure thing!" Angie and Jackson waved at Olivia, and then the trio raced back towards their home, Robert sending snowballs at the children's feet in encouragement. Their happy squeals followed Olivia as she trudged back through the snow towards her guardian's house, happy to know that such good friends were so near.