It's Friday again and that means a new chapter for y'all. This time, we learn that it is very important to have connections in the industry.

Also, for those of you curious, I've gotten my HBP story almost to the Sectumsempra incident. Any well wishes you may wish to relay to the principle characters will, of course, be relayed. Lord knows Esdras could use the encouragement...

My thanks as always to those of you who have read, and even more thanks to those of you who have reviewed. To the ever faithful KRP, Esdras already knows there are Dementors going behind his back, hence why the entire 8th Infantry is still on Azkaban for espionage purposes. As for popular Azkaban opinion, you have to remember that Katie is pretty well liked among Dementors, and those who don't like her would already want an alliance with Voldemort because they just don't like mortals, period. To the ever faithful Snood, freshly back from vacation, my reason for having Esdras in Dumbledore's office is because Esdras is the link between the Order and the Order's Dementor forces (which have been redeployed because of the threat of insurrection on Azkaban, but that's how the ball bounces). As for Dumbledore's expulsion, Esdras will be doing very important things, so you'll just have to wait and see.

Those of y'all who haven't reviewed really ought to consider it. I like hearing from people and your reviews make me a better writer. So go ahead, press the little button at the bottom.

And my usual notes would apply if there were any Azkabaaner in this chapter. I really must be slipping. Oh, and I don't own HP.

Chapter 11 – Christmas Chaos

Esdras had been to St. Mungo's before. Every so often, a prisoner of Azkaban would need treatment beyond what the prison clinic was capable of and they would have to transport the heavily sedated inmate out for treatment. St. Mungo's was the closest full service medical facility. However, that didn't mean that the sight of a Dementor appearing at the Apparition Point would not be greeted with fear. For this reason, the mortal Esdras Apparated in with Katie in Side-Along.

The Dementor took the mortal's hand and the pair walked to the Welcome Witch's desk. The woman smiled brightly at the pair. "How can I help you today?"

Esdras nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Can you tell me what room Mr. Arthur Weasley is in?"

The plump blond witch smiled brightly. "Of course I can, precious." There was a moment's pause as she looked through some paperwork. "He's on the first floor in the 'Dangerous' Dai Llewellyn ward. The stairs are to your left." She winked at Katie. "You should keep this one, he's got beautiful eyes."

Katie smiled and looked up at Esdras, who was blushing dark gray. "I intend to."

As the pair made their way to the stairs, the Dementor sighed. "What is it that people like about my eyes?"

The mortal smirked. "Well, it's not every day that you meet someone with glowing eyes. They're unusual, and in your case, they're extremely handsome."

Esdras sighed and held open the door to the first floor for Katie. They entered the Creature-Induced Injuries department they walked down the hall until they found the proper ward. The Dementor stuck his head in the door and, when sure they were in the right place, glided in, pulling Katie with him. They were greeted by not one, but two, friendly faces. Mr. Weasley looked up from his newspaper and smiled. "Molly, look who's come to visit."

Mrs. Weasley smiled as well and stood up, first embracing Katie, then Esdras, in a tight hug. To the Dementor she made a sound of disproval. "Oh dear, they're not feeding you enough, I can tell."

Esdras blushed again and looked shyly to his feet. "I have to hold back when I eat, or there wouldn't be anything left for my friends."

He was saved by the bedridden Mr. Weasley. "Molly, leave him alone. You know how Dementors eat. Remember that time when Esdras' friend, I can't remember his name, he ate all four of the hams you had made for dinner for the Order and we all had to have sandwiches."

Mrs. Weasley laughed at the memory. "That was Aaron, dear. Aaron Reaping is Esdras' friend."

Arthur nodded. "Oh, that's right. Wonderful fellow."

Katie smiled at the pair and took the only available chair, since Esdras was already hovering cross-legged a few feet off the ground. "We just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing." She leaned in slowly. "Esdras has already told me all about what happened."

Molly put her hands to her mouth and gasped. "Oh, dear, I'd hate to see you get mixed up in all this. It really is such terrible business." She then turned to Esdras, her voice sharp. "And you, why drag her into this?"

The Dementor sighed. "She's already involved. My position in Azkaban society makes her a target."

The Weasleys were silent at this news for a moment, but Arthur quickly found a smile. "Well, Molly, that just means one more place to set at the table, doesn't it?"

Mrs. Weasley perked at this news and smiled brightly at Katie. "Why yes it does. You'll have to tell me what you like to eat, dear. That way I can make it for you. How long do you think you'll be staying for?"

Katie nervously tucked her hair behind her ear and looked to the ground. She didn't want to disappoint Mrs. Weasley. "Well, ma'am, Esdras and his men are actually keeping an eye on me, so I don't need to stay at Order Headquarters, at least not yet. I hope it doesn't have to come to that, though."

Mr. Weasley smiled and took his wife's hand. "Of course, dear. And we hope it doesn't have to come to that either, but you'll be more than welcome if it does. But I don't think you've anything to worry about. Esdras is certainly the best man in the Order for security."

Katie turned to her Dementor and smiled. "I know."

Lunch at the Leaky Cauldron was exceptional, and as they left, Katie sighed in satisfaction. "How long has it been since we've eaten here?"

Esdras thought for a second as they stepped out of the building and into the snow covered Diagon Alley. "Lunch, the day I got the tickets for the World Quidditch Cup."

Katie let out a low whistle. "Seems like forever ago, then."

The Dementor smirked. "Well, that all depends on how you perceive time, mortal."

The mortal grinned and quickly tossed a handful of snow at Esdras, the fluffy white standing out in stark contrast against the jet black of his cloak. "Immortal."

Esdras looked calmly down at the spot of snow on his sleek black cloak and calmly put his hood up. With a smile he raised his wand and made a flicking motion. Katie was caught looking curiously at him when all the snow from the awning of the Apothecary shop came down on top of both of them. The white Dementor lifted himself from the pile of snow and shook himself off. "I win."

Katie, however, stood in shock as the melting snow crept slowly down the back of her neck and into her clothing. She launched herself at the airborne Dementor and tackled him into the pile of snow he had created. She glared deep into his glowing green eyes. "If you weren't so utterly perfect for me…" She threw a handful of snow into his face and, before he could even sputter to clear his face, she kissed him deeply. When they finally broke, she looked down at him. "Okay, I don't have an ending for that."

The Dementor let out a peal of ethereal laughter and lifted them both from the snow. He cast a quick drying and warming charm on Katie. "I think it turned out just fine. Now, I suggest we do our shopping together." He glanced at his watch and nodded. "Lieutenant Mercius will be meeting us here at four o'clock. Then we can shop for each other without spoiling the surprise."

Smiling softly, Katie took his hand and seemed to glide down the street in her cloak. "You think of everything, don't you, Lord Admiral?"

Esdras nodded. "They don't pay me for being handsome." He grinned playfully at her. "Now, where to first?"

Esdras waved to Katie as she walked off with Lieutenant Mercius behind her. Only once the crowd had closed in around her did the Dementor sigh. Esdras Tarsus corvades Demnin had no idea what to get Katie for Christmas. He glided quietly down Diagon Alley and huffed softly. He had window shopped at a few storefronts before he came upon a familiar form. "Good afternoon, Professor Lupin."

Remus Lupin, looking rather rugged but still presentable, smiled to the Dementor. "Hello, Esdras. And please, call me Remus; I'm not a professor anymore."

The Dementor nodded. "Yes, professor."

Remus shook his head slowly and sighed. "Here Christmas shopping, Esdras?"

Esdras nodded quickly. "Yes, sir. I have something for everyone except Katie. And she's off with Lieutenant Mercius shopping for me." He sighed. "But I have no idea what to get for her."

The werewolf smirked slightly. "I have an idea, then. I'll help you if you help me. I seem to be in a bit of a quandary myself. Perhaps together we can figure out what to get the last people on our list."

The Dementor sighed in relief. "Sounds like a plan, sir. Who are you shopping for?"

Here, Lupin hesitated. "Well…you see…" Esdras gave an encouraging gesture and Remus smiled tiredly. "Tonks."

Esdras smiled brightly. "Easy, the Weird Sisters are in concert in Leeds next month. Get her tickets. I'll leave it up to you if you're going to get her one or two."

The mortal sighed. "Something in my price range, perhaps?"

The Dementor laughed. "Oh, don't worry about that. They owe my goddaughter a favor because she covered for them at the Yule Ball last year. I'll talk to her, and she'll talk to them, and I'll get the tickets to you."

Lupin looked uncomfortable at this. "I'd really prefer to get her something from the heart, if you know what I mean."

Esdras arched an eyebrow. "From the heart?" The curiosity of his old student was not lost on Lupin, so he nodded calmly to the Dementor. Esdras merely smirked in reply. "Circumstances notwithstanding, would you get her the tickets?"

He was met with a nod. "Of course, but…"

The Dementor cut him off politely. "Then the gift will be from the heart. Now, you helped my troops out when we were first getting started, so let me help you out now."

Lupin sighed and finally relented. "Fine, but please let your goddaughter know that I owe her if she needs anything."

Esdras made a noise of agreement before looking at the storefront in front of him. "That takes care of you, but I'm still no closer to getting something for Katie."

The old professor leaned against the side of the building and pulled his coat closer against the cold. "Well, you know her better than I. I only taught her for a year. What does she like besides Quidditch?"

The Dementor sighed and began ticking items off on his fingers. "Fire emeralds, but I've gotten those for her the last two years. Azkaban history and culture, but she's exposed to that almost every day. She likes that nice perfume that comes in the silvery bottle, I forget the name but it smells good on her. She likes her dragon leather cors…uh…" Here the Dementor blushed a deep black.

The smirk that Lupin gave reminded Esdras that he was dealing with an ex-Marauder. And he wondered if there was such thing as an ex-Marauder after hearing the stories Sirius told. Lupin, however, took the noble path and shook his head. "Things like that are never good ideas for Christmas presents. Valentine's Day, maybe." Esdras' glowing green eyes narrowed sharply and the professor laughed nervously. "I've noticed that every time Christine Reaping comes over, she's always very well dressed. Perhaps a nice dress?"

Esdras thought for a second. "I could always get her sizes from her mother and make a trip to Azkaban. But when would she wear it?"

Lupin smiled. "I'm sure she'll find reasons to wear it." He extended his hand to the Dementor. "Thank you for helping me with Tonks."

The werewolf was met with a bright Dementor smile and a firm handshake. "And thank you for helping me with Katie." Esdras floated off towards the Leaky Cauldron, where he was to meet Katie when finished shopping. "Happy Christmas, professor."

Shaking his head and laughing, Lupin called back. "Happy Christmas, admiral."

It had been a devilish trip to Azkaban, the winds had been against him both ways and the island was slowly losing cohesion as Dementors loyal to the royal house clashed openly with Dementors demanding action. The rightful king had spent three days on the island, doing his best through his presence to ease the tension of his people. And, for the holiday season, at least, it seemed to have worked. So when the Dementor staggered back into Bellmont and collapsed in front of the fireplace in a great mass of black fabric, he was at least partially satisfied.

Katie got up from the couch and picked through the ice covered cloaks until she found the grey face of her Dementor and kissed him softly. "Rough trip?"

Esdras groaned. "Rough everything, but I got your present."

The mortal smiled brightly as she finally unlatched the weatherworn cloaks from the Dementor, leaving him covered in just his shroud for a few seconds until she pulled a clean, dry cloak from the closet and draped it over his shoulders. "Now, what on earth could you have gotten me that would require a trip to Azkaban."

The Dementor sighed as the warm, dry cloak covered him. "You'll find out tomorrow." Katie made a noise of displeasure and straddled Esdras' back. She began to give him a backrub, concentrating on the float bladder vents beneath his shoulder blades. The result was familiar to Katie, as Esdras shut down his float bladders and sank firmly to the ground with a blissful sigh. "You can do your worst to me, but I'm still not telling."

The mortal did her best to sound insulted, but the laughter in her voice could not be hidden. "I never said I wanted you to."

Some time later they were interrupted by Mrs. Bell. She saw the pair and smiled. "Esdras, I didn't hear you come in. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes; I need the two of you to set the table."

Katie nodded and climbed off the Dementor's back. Esdras slowly stretched and reinitialized his float bladders, lifting up into the air. He retook human form and smiled brightly to the matriarch. "Yes, ma'am."

The pair walked into the hallway towards the dining room, Katie deep in thought. She suddenly smiled. "A broom. You got me an Azkaban broom, didn't you?"

Esdras laughed and opened the china press. "Please, you couldn't handle an Azkaban broom. No mortal could handle an Azkaban broom."

Katie glared playfully as she pulled out the silverware, her voice laden with innuendo. "I could, too. I've ridden your broom plenty of times."

The Dementor blushed as black as his cloak.