A/N:

WARNING! This is not the first update of the day. If you haven't already, please go to chapter 11 and start from there. Thanks for your cooperation~

... Even if I don't own HP

"Happy Christmas!" I called with Arthur and Molly as the boys slowly trudged down the stairs of the Burrow. Ginny was already sitting at the tree, unwrapping her newest sweater in a long line. Harry and Ron beamed, grinning at each other like idiots, and I laughed.

"Come open your presents," I ushered. Harry sat down at once before a pile of packages that were his and his alone. I watched as he opened the presents from the Weasleys: a new scarlet sweater with the Gryffindor lion carefully knitted on the front, a dozen mince pies, a box of nut brittle, and a small Christmas cake. Next came my presents: another photo album of his parents, this one including more pictures of Harry as an infant, sketches I made of both the Marauders and the Golden Trio, my new name for Harry and his friends, and lastly the first snitch I'd ever caught.

When he opened the small box containing the snitch, it's wings opened up and it took straight off. I smiled, whistling, and the snitch came back to me.

"This is the first snitch I ever caught in a game," I explained. "I broke my arm and nearly died but I caught the snitch. After that game, I've kept it as a good luck charm. I've never lost a game when I've had this snitch on me. I thought you'd appreciate it."

"How'd you break your arm?" Ginny asked. I chuckled.

"I stole a beater's bat, smacked a bludger to the Slytherin keeper. It missed him, ricocheting off the goalpost and back towards me. It was all I could do to hold onto my broom."

"Perfect case of irony," Molly chuckled. "Of course, you still powered through, catching the snitch with your left hand."

"Anyway," I laughed. "Enough of my seeker exploits. It's Harry's turn to win all that glory," I said, gesturing to Sirius' present. Harry stared at the long, thin package with wide eyes.

"You didn't," Arthur said a little incredulously. I grinned as Harry and Ron ripped open the packaging, revealing the Firebolt.

"Wait till Malfoy sees you In this! He'll be sick as a pig! This is an international standard broom, this is!" Ron gushed. "Can I ride it? Just once? Twice? Please!"

"This must've cost you a fortune, Rose," Harry said quietly, still in awe of the broom. I smiled.

"All I did was take the gold and order the broom. I got an owl from your godfather," I grinned. Molly and Arthur stared at me in shock.

"You got a ruddy owl from Sirius Black and you didn't tell anyone?" Arthur shouted. I sighed, shaking my head.

"It wasn't dangerous. You can even read the letter, if you'd like. All he said was to take money out of his vault and order Harry a Firebolt. He said to consider it as make-up for thirteen birthdays," I said calmly, holding the note out to Arthur.

"Snuffles?" he raised an eyebrow. Harry paused.

"Snuffles? I thought you said- Little Whinging…" Harry drifted off, something akin to panic in his eyes. I sighed, angry at myself for giving that away.

"I told you what Sirius was, Harry," I said quietly. "I also told you that Snuffles was an old friend. He was, at that point in time, looking for me. I told you he wasn't an omen of death, contrary to what the Ministry seems to believe. I didn't lie to-"

I was interrupted by a flying ball of ginger fur. I sighed to myself, already prying Crookshanks off of Ron and, by extension, Pettigrew.

"GET- THAT- BLOODY- CAT! WHAT'S- HE- DOING HERE?" Ron bellowed as I pulled Crookshanks away from him. I smiled tiredly as Hermione stepped through the side door, already apologizing for her cat.

"I invited Hermione to spend a few days," Molly informed her children and Harry. She took a look at Crookshanks, still hissing at Ron. "What's his problem, then?"

"That bloody monster is out to get Scabbers," Ron said furiously, taking said rat out of his pocket. Pettigrew did not look well. I'd like to think that was because Sirius was loose. He was very skinny with bald patches where the fur just seemed to fall out. I bit back a grimace when I noted the missing toe.

"Oh, Harry! Who sent you that?" she asked, ignoring Ron's muttered threats towards her troublesome pet. I answered for him.

"His godfather thought he'd appreciate it. Don't worry about it being jinxed, I placed the order myself and took it out for a test drive before I wrapped it," I reassured the girl, knowing where her mind would be heading. Instead of inquiring further, Hermione glanced around the room.

"Where's Professor Lupin?" she asked. I sighed, playing my part.

"He still feels ill. He insisted that we leave him at Hogwarts but he did say that he'd join us if he feels better," I lied easily. Coercion and lying, two rather useful skills in the First Wizarding War. The boys seemed easily appeased by this. Hermione seemed as if I had just proven a point. I could tell from the victory in her smile and the concern in her eyes that she had figured out Remus' furry little problem.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" I passed each Weasley, my nephew, and Hermione a single Christmas rose before pulling a book out of my bag, passing it to Hermione. "I thought you might enjoy reading this when you have the time."

She took the book, studying the cover before opening Muggleborns of the Millennia. On the inside over the cover I had written a note, a single line: Mudblood and Proud. She smiled up at me, hugging the book to her chest.

"Thank you, Professor."

"Rose," I corrected as Aren flew through the window, a letter in her mouth. Curious, I opened the letter to Remus' writing. My eyes scanned the paper and my smile melted.

"What is it?" Molly asked, noticing my change in demeanor. I pressed the letter into Hermione's hands, frowning.

"The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Magical Creatures is opening a case for Buckbeak. They're going to have a hearing on April 20th," she reported.

"So?" Ron asked, oblivious, Hermione smacked him in the shoulder.

"So?" she demanded.

"Hagrid's distraught," I interrupted. "If he loses this case, Buckbeak will most likely be executed. It doesn't help that they're doing this at Lucius' request. Most of the committee is in his pocket, too scared of him to be against him. We're going to have to put together a strong defense, there are only so many strings I can pull in the Ministry…"

"What about Dumbledore? Can't he do something?" Harry asked. I shook my head.

"Dumbledore already has to deal with the dementors and Fudge. I don't envy him either. It doesn't help that our dear Minister still won't listen to either of us about Sirius."

"I'm sure I've read a case about hippogriff-baiting somewhere where the hippogriff got off. I'll look it up and see what happened," Hermione said thoughtfully. I glanced at my watch. I had an appointment to keep. Nymphadora Tonks, a Metamorphmagus, had just qualified to become an Auror. Dumbledore had asked me to meet with her to learn if she was interested in joining the new Order of the Phoenix.

The Order was smaller than it had been at it's peak, but reasonably well connected. It wasn't the same with Alice, Frank, Lily, James, and the other members that had vanished or been killed in the war, but it was enough to remind me of why I had joined as a seventh year. Unfortunately, Severus was included but some things couldn't be helped. Double agent or not, I still didn't trust him.

"I need to go," I announced sadly. Molly scoffed, affronted.

"It's Christmas! Where could you possibly need to go?"

"I have an appointment within the Auror Office. I'm sure Dumbledore's told you something of that," I nodded at Arthur. He frowned but nodded.

"On Christmas?" Molly repeated. I nodded.

"I'll be back in time for dinner," I promised. "I told Mad-eye I'd be there to meet Nymphadora in… twelve minutes. Also, Scrimgeour has been trying to recruit me. I'd rather decline in person so there won't be any confusion."

"Be polite," Molly called as I walked out the door. I responded with a grin before turning on the spot, closing my eyes and Disapparating with a crack.

A/N:

Filler chap, I know. But this is leading into the introduction of a very happy-go-lucky character. For anyone who missed it, it's TONKS~! I love her soooo much x3 x3 x3

Just a hint, Mad-Eye has been spreading facts about Rose to the Auror Office to scare the recruits, so Tonks sort of- Arg! Spoilers! Just keep reading!

*and reviewing

^.^ Susie ^.^