Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor am I making any profit from this fanfiction. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, who thankfully allows others to play in her universe.

Note: This is my third update in less than 24 hours. I don't want anyone confused by missing Chapter 12 Halloween and Chapter 13 Meeting Mandy.

Chapter 14 An Honorary Weasley

Two weeks before Christmas break, Mandy out of the blue asked, "We're really good friends, right?"

They were walking back from Mandy's ballet lesson. Roxanne nodded, watching Mandy.

"Actually you're my best friend," Mandy went on.

Roxanne smiled, she had never had a friend out side the family, much less a best friend, "thanks, you're mine too."

"Exactly and we have a great time together, and your family is really nice, and they seemed to like me."

Roxanne had been nodding but had to add, "They do like you, even the ones you haven't met."

Mandy smiled a little, "that's good, and I'm small and don't eat much, I could even sleep on the floor. What do you think?"

Roxanne pulled Mandy to a stop, "I have no idea what your talking about, why would you sleep on the floor?"

"Well I don't have to sleep on the floor, its just an option," Mandy said playing with her bag strap.

Roxanne realized Mandy was nervous, the undefeetable Mandy was nervous, "What's wrong?"

"Um, I don't have anywhere to go for Christmas break. Do you think your parents would allow me to stay with you? I mean only if you want to of course. Its just hardly anyone will be here over the holidays and there wont be any ballet practice."

As Mandy babbled on, Roxanne was getting more and more excited, "You want to spend Christmas with me?"

Mandy finally stopped talking and nodded.

"That's brilliant! We're going to have so much fun!" Roxanne was ginning so wide it hurt.

"Will your parents agree?" Mandy asked.

"Of course, they all really like you. I'll write to them right now." Roxanne said, sitting down on a bench and pulling a piece of paper out of her bag.

"Are you sure, I wouldn't want to be in the way?"

Roxanne flapped her hand, "no all the cousins are always in and out. They won't leave you alone at Fieldspark for Christmas." Roxanne was thinking about how Grandmum Weasley had made sure Uncle Harry wasn't alone. His first Christmas at Hogwarts, and for every chance she could after that.

Mandy beamed and opened her own bag, "They'll need to sign this permission form." Roxanne added this to the letter, sealed it up and wrote the address and then added a stamp. They dropped it off on the way to Science. "This is going to be the best Christmas ever!" Mandy said, linking her arm through Roxanne's.

xxx

Roxanne knew that with owl post she'd have an answer that night. It was exciting to think of spending Christmas break with Mandy. But no letter appeared that night or all the next day. Finally on the third day she received the following letter.

Dearest Roxanne,

I am very sorry but we cannot allow Mandy to stay with us because we would not be able to keep magic a secret from her. The Statute of Secrecy does not allow any one but family members to know about the Wizarding World. If there was a way to hide magic we would. Maybe by next Christmas Aunt Hermione will be able to relax the laws. But we're looking forward to seeing you. Give Mandy our love.

Love, Mum

Roxanne stared at the letter. She had never thought they'd say no, she at Mandy had been making all kinds of plans for Christmas break. Roxanne felt angry, she tried for a moment to be fair and not hate the whole Wizarding World for one law. But she couldn't do it, it felt like the stupid secrecy law was ruining her first friendship. Roxanne tore up the letter, but she didn't feel any better. Tearing up the letter didn't stop her from having to break the bad news to Mandy. What if Mandy hated her for it?

As if knowing Roxanne didn't want to see her Mandy appeared. She took one look at Roxanne's face, "What's wrong?"

Roxanne instinctively looked down, but then forced herself to look at Mandy to try to show how sorry she was. "I got a letter from home, I'm so sorry, my Mum says you can't stay with us."

"Oh," Mandy started twisting the strap of her bag, "why not?"

Roxanne had not prepared a lie for this. "Um, they're going abroad."

"That sounds fun, where?" Mandy said her voice shrill, the strap on her bag twisted tighter.

"Um, Australia," Roxanne saw Mandy was trying to smile, "and I'm staying at Fieldspark." Roxanne hadn't planned on the last bit but as soon as she said it, she knew it was what she wanted to do. She wouldn't abandon her best friend on Christmas.

"What! Why?" Mandy said the strap forgotten, "Why would your family leave you here over Christmas?"

Roxanne hadn't thought out her lie. She didn't like not getting to see her family, but it would be worse to go home and enjoy herself while Mandy was all alone. "I saw my Dad when I got my cast off, and they'll come visit after they get back."

"But why can't you go with them? Or why can't they stay home? Is it because I asked to come?"

"No!" Roxanne said quickly.

Mandy's eyes went wide, "It is. I'm so sorry. I'll write them right now." Mandy was frantically digging in her bag for paper and pen.

Roxanne grabbed her hands, "Its not your fault," Roxanne took a deep breath, "I lied."

Mandy looked up, her face unsure.

Roxanne went on, "They really did want you to spend Christmas with us, but they couldn't get a ticket for you."

Mandy's eye's went wide, then narrowed again.

Roxanne took another deep breath, "I decided not to go so I could spend Christmas with you."

Mandy looked like she was about to cry, as she hugged Roxanne tightly. "You're the best friend I could ever have, but you should spend Christmas with your family. I'll be all right."

"I want to spend Christmas with you," Roxanne said still hugging Mandy.

Mandy pulled out of the embrace, with her arguing face set.

While Roxanne was glad Mandy wasn't crying, she wasn't going to be talked out of staying with Mandy. "We're not just best friends, we're family."

Mandy smiled as she started to shake her head. "Thank you for saying that, but-"

"It's true if you want it to be, not everyone in my family is by blood. Teddy's one of the cousins but he's not by blood, and no one would think of not including him. Uncle Neville and Aunt Hannah aren't related so are Aunt Luna and Uncle Ralph. I could go on for an hour." Roxanne said, speaking much louder than she ever had at Fieldspark before.

Mandy's expression hadn't changed but she was listing. Roxanne went on a little softer, but still above her usual whisper. "They were just friends of my uncles and aunts and parents, but they were so close that they became family. If they can do it so can we."

"I'm not going to be able to talk you out of this? Am I?"

Roxanne shook her head, giving Mandy a cat's grin, until Mandy was forced to throw her hands up and grin back. "Good, then as of this day, you are an honorary Weasley." Roxanne gripped Mandy's forearm as if they were making the Unbreakable Vow. Mandy gripped back then with her free hand held up her pinkie. Roxanne linked pinkies and pressed her thumb to Mandy's. It felt right to make this packed both like a Wizard and like a Muggle.

xxx

That night, Roxanne ignored her homework to write a very difficult letter to her parents. To explain why she wasn't coming home for Christmas. And a letter to Grandmum Weasley, asking her to please make one extra sweater this year. The one to Grandmum Weasley was easy but it took her several tries to find the right words for the one to her parents. Finally, as it was almost time for lights out, she declared it done.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I'm sorry to tell you that I will not be coming home for Christmas. I've decided to stay at school with Mandy, because if I don't she will be all alone, and that's not right. I think it's unfair that she can't stay with us because she's a Muggle, and we have to keep magic a secret. Why do we have to keep magic a secret? I know its not your fault, its the Wizarding law and I love you both so much.

Mandy was very upset when I told her I wouldn't be going home. Family is important to her. Because she lost hers I made her a Weasley like Teddy is. I hope that's okay, even if Mandy is a Muggle. Give my love to everyone and say I'm sorry I can't see them.

Love Roxanne

P.S. Tell Fred I'm sorry I won't get to see him and that he can have my Christmas pudding.

P.P.S. I told Mandy you were going abroad to Australia for Christmas and wanted her to come but couldn't get a ticket.

It was one of the hardest letters she had ever had to write. She wished she had a distraction from her thoughts. Imagining how her parents might respond, and how the rest of her family would feel. Would they be mad, would they think that she didn't love them? And her worst imagining, would they be glad she wasn't coming, because as a squib she'd never belong. Thankfully after dinner she found a letter on her pillow. Much sooner than the Muggle post would've gotten it to her. She ripped it open with trembling fingers.

Dearest Roxanne,

Your Mum and I will miss you terribly, but we are so proud of you for the sacrifice you're making for your friend. You have ignited a revolution. Uncle Percy is working to create a new law so friends of Wizards and Squibs can know about magic. It probably won't pass before Christmas. But don't worry your Aunt Hermione has an idea for this Christmas. I won't say any more here as there is much still to arrange. Look for a letter in the next few days. I think you and Mandy will have a Happy Christmas.

Love, Dad

P.S. This is Grandmum Weasley and I have Mandy's sweater all done. It was no trouble, I enjoyed making it. In fact it was a treat to make something pink for change. Do you think next year she'd like a red one?"

Roxanne let out the breath she had been holding. She felt lighter. Her parents were proud of her. Her family still loved her, and Grandmum Weasley was already planning Mandy's sweater for next year. At that moment she didn't care she was a squib, even if she did have to stay at school over Christmas.

xxx

The next few days it was very hard for Roxanne and Mandy to wait patiently. Roxanne had told Mandy that her whole family was putting together a Christmas surprise for them. So every spare moment they had they'd go to the mail room.

Finally the girl at the counter said, "yes, they came in this morning. I hope they're what you're waiting for." Then she hurried to the back.

Mandy looked at Roxanne and mouthed, "they?"

Roxanne shrugged, it wasn't uncommon for her to get more than one letter at a time. Before she could decide if this was a good sign or bad the girl returned carrying two letters. But she only handed one to Roxanne, the other she handed to Mandy. Mandy's eyes got big as she read her name on the front of the parchment written in purple ink. Roxanne stared at the envelope, "that's from my dad." She looked down at her own, "they're both from Dad."

Mandy seem dazed, "I got a letter." She stroked the envelope, "it's so pretty."

Roxanne blushed and pulled Mandy into the corner where no one could hear her be so silly. "Let's open them at the same time."

Mandy nodded slowly, so Roxanne said, "on three, one, two, three." Roxanne ripped her letter open and read quickly.

My brave Roxanne,

You didn't think your family would leave you to suffer at school over Christmas, did you? Both you and Mandy will need to pack your bags for the full three weeks of the break. You will be picked up at noon in the front of Fieldspark, by family and both you and Mandy will stay with them. Don't ask who because it's a surprise.

Love, Dad

P.S. There aren't any more hints in Mandy's letter.

P.P.S. Fred says extra pudding isn't going to buy him off, he also expects an excellent Christmas present. (Roxanne rolled her eyes. Fred said that every year for one reason or another and he'd yet to be disappointed by her gift. Which was always supplies and a instructions for pranks she thought up.)

Mandy was still carefully opening her letter when Roxanne finished. Roxanne waited impatiently, even though Dad said there were no more hints.

Dear Mandy, friend of the Weasley's,

Roxanne told us that you were disappointed to learn you wouldn't be staying with us. I want to assure you we were also disappointed. So we have cooked up a surprise for you girls. Pack your bags for the three weeks and be ready to be picked up in the front of Fieldspark at noon on December 14, by a member of the family. All the forms have been filled out, all that is left for you to do is enjoy yourselves.

Love, (Roxanne's Dad) George

Roxanne sighed, Dad hadn't lied there were no new hints in Mandy's letter. "He could've at least hinted, who we will be staying with."

Mandy finally looked up, "we are staying with your family, that's good enough for me." She grabbed Roxanne's hand, "come on, let's go pack."

Roxanne smiled, she was so glad she didn't even mind that Mandy hadn't waited for her to button her coat before pulling her out into the cold December air.

xxx

The last week of school was very enjoyable. Most of the teachers had fun projects to work on, instead of learning new material. And all the school was talking about what they would do for Christmas break. Several students were going abroad, like Roxanne had said her parents were doing. But even students who were just going home wanted to talk about their family traditions. Roxanne found their stories fascinating. Like getting coal in your stocking if you were bad. Coal was, according to her encyclopedias, a black mineral made out of really old plants that Muggles burned in their fires. Fred loved getting flammable things for Christmas. Maybe she could send some to Mum to put in his stocking this year.

Mandy even got Sevastian to talk about his favorite Christmas tradition. "Me and my brother always made hundreds of ornaments to decorate the tree. Then on Christmas eve we'd decorate it. Mum would pick the best one, and then Dad would lift up whichever one of us who'd made it so we can put it on the very top of the tree."

"Wow, your brother must be a good artist too," Mandy said. Pointing to Sevastian's Maths notebook that was full of drawings.

Sevastian quickly close his notebook and glared at Roxanne. "He was until he started school now he doesn't bother, he cheats."

"How does he cheat?" Mandy asked.

But Sevastian didn't answer he just took his stuff and walked away.

Mandy shook her head, "I wonder why he's always so angry?"

Roxanne shrugged, she didn't really care she just wished he'd stop taking it out on her.