A/N: Obviously I did not invent this magical world of awesomeness. All credit goes to Rowling!

Hey guys,

How have you all been? It's been ages! Tell me what you've been up to :D Did you miss this story? I bet you did! Hahaa, no I'm kidding. Don't tell me that, I'll just feel even guiltier.

Anyway, do any of you have any NaNoWriMo plans? I'm thinking about doing a Sirius/OC this year, what do you guys think?

I'm really sorry that it took me this long to update again, but school's been killing me. Even my Tumblr is dying a slow and painful death.

Forgive me?

As always with love,

Kelly

20: The moment Christmas came

I woke up to a very excited James Potter, tearing through his Christmas presents like there was no tomorrow. I opened one eye as I studied the idiot. Was he for real? I glanced at the clock on his nightstand. "I'm going to kill you, James," I muttered as I pressed my face further into my pillow.

"Nah, you'd miss me too much," James told me with an infuriating smirk.

Realizing that I was fighting a battle already lost, I threw my beloved pillow into his face. I huffed as I sat up and yawned widely. I rubbed my eyes and stopped when I realized James was looking at me funny.

I checked my chin for drool, but found nothing. "What?" I asked, slightly panicked. I looked down at my top and noticed with relief that my boobs were still in it. "What is it, James?"

James merely smiled. "Nothing, Rosie. You look beautiful."

"Don't call me-" I stopped. I blinked. I opened my mouth and closed it again. "Are you feeling quite alright?" I sat up straighter to feel his forehead. He didn't seem to have a fever.

He captured my hand and gave me one of the sweetest smiles he had ever given me. It was oddly off putting. What in Merlin's name was going on? Had he officially gone bonkers? "Never been better, love."

Love? LOVE? I decided to go along with it for now. I had always been told to not pull mentally disturbed people too harshly out of their fantasies. "Alright, pet," I said, patting his hand, the one holding onto mine, with my free one, before slowly pulling it free.

James gave me a brilliant smile and turned back to his waiting presents.

I gave his back an unsure look, before shaking my head. Maybe I was just imagining things? Maybe it was just the Christmas spirit that got a hold of him? Or maybe he was drunk?

I gave another yawn and grabbed the first present addressed to me and pulled it closer to my sleep deprived self. It was from Cassandra. I had sent her that magical quill and the bracelet I had originally bought for my mother. I guess that wasn't very Hufflepuff of me, but evicting me from my home wasn't either. That made us even, in my eyes.

Cassandra had given me that stupid article of me and James. She had put in a glass case and on top of it she'd written in swirly letters; "And so a love story begins."

"She's impossible," I muttered to myself, hiding it from James before he saw. I put it under one of the many pillows on the bed. She also gave me a lovely blue, silk scarf.

Oscar gave me some things to prank James with (insert evil laughter) and even Fred gave me a gift. I had no idea what it was, but considering that it was a box from his dad's shop I doubted it was as simple as it looked. I stared at the last present and bit my lip. James's gift. I carefully grabbed the little, wrapped up box, curious as to what he would have bought me.

"Before you open it," James said, putting his hand over mine, "I want you to know that although it may be cheesy, I do mean it."

I frowned. What had he gotten me? I pulled the box towards me when he released my hand and carefully unwrapped the gift. I was well aware of James's eyes watching me and it made me nervous. I wasn't sure why I was so nervous or why my cheeks were feeling like a blush might currently be creeping on them, but I didn't like the feeling one bit. Like Ben would say: ain't nobody got time for that, gurl.

I blinked when I finally opened the box. He bought me a key? I held the big, silver thing in my hand. It was huge and I thought that it would have felt perfectly at home in Victorian times. I lifted my eyes to James's and waited, confused.

James gave me a small smile and started tearing up a piece of wrapping paper into tiny little pieces. His eyes were suddenly intent on what he was doing and I got the feeling that whatever he was about to say, made him more nervous than I probably felt. "It's a key to our house..." Silence filled the room as I clenched the key tightly. "I mean, it may seem rather foolish, but I'd like for you to keep it. If you ever feel like you need somebody to talk to or a place to sleep, even after we're no longer stuck together... I don't know... I guess, all I want to say," James clumsily carried on, "is that you have a home here."

I stared at the beautiful silver key in my hand. It was beautiful in its own right and it could easily have served as a piece of jewelry, but what made the gift truly beautiful was that James, someone that hated me through and through cared enough about me to give it to me. As a way out, as a promise of friendship that I was sure I probably didn't deserve.

I felt tears well up in my eyes and shoved all of my presents out of the way, before falling into James's arms.

"Rosie?" he asked me, confusion rich in his voice.

"Thank you, James. I love it." I hugged him tight and blinked the tears away. I made sure the tears were completely gone and I wasn't about to breakdown on his bedroom floor, before letting him go. "Thank you," I said again.

James Potter was blushing. I had no idea the boy had it in him, but I made the biggest prankster and manwhore Hogwarts had ever known blush. I saw something in his eyes right then that I couldn't entirely define, although it sure did make my shoulders feel ten pounds lighter.

I gave him a smile and put the key under the same pillow I had shoved Cassandra's present under. I suddenly felt foolish about the gift I got him. It wasn't nearly as thoughtful as what he had given me and I wanted a second chance to buy something better for him. "Did you, erhm, already open my gift?"

James's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Why, yes, I did."

I bit my lip and looked down at my hands. "I'm sorry," I suddenly blurted. "I had no idea what to give you."

He laughed. "It's okay, Rosie. I love them." He pointed at his feet where he was currently wearing the Gryffindor socks I had bought him. In my defense, I also bought him a sweater from his favourite Quidditch team. Thank you, Oscar.

At least he had warm feet now?

"Okay."

"Okay, Rosie."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "My name is Rosemary."

Honestly. I felt bad for his cousin, Rose.

"Oh, I am well aware, dear. Well aware, indeed."

I threw the remaining wrapping paper in his face.

"Welcome, dear." Molly Weasley pulled me close and gave me a big hug. "I'm happy you could join us this time. We've heard so much about the infamous Rosemary Woodstock that it was about time you joined us for Christmas dinner, no?"

I blinked at the new information. They had heard about me? "All lies, madam," I assured her as I hugged her back.

Mrs Weasley pulled back and gave me a wink. "Oh, they were all bad things, I assure you."

I smiled. "Oh, in that case they must be true then."

Mrs Weasley laughed at that. "Such a delightful creature you are. I'm glad James found you, dear."

"Grandma," I heard James say from my right as Mr Weasley snickered.

Mrs Weasley gave me one last wink, before turning to James. "Come into my arms, boy. You should be ashamed of yourself, writing your grandma as little as you do."

James let her fuss over him for a moment, before grabbing her hands and smiling lovingly at her. He really did seem to care for his grandma. "Thanks for the sweater."

"Ah, you know how I love to knit, dear." She squeezed his hands, before turning to greet Mr and Mrs Potter.

We were pushed into the living room and I was awed by the house. James quietly told me that the house used to be bigger, but now that most of the kids had moved out of it his grandparents hadn't seen the reason to rebuilt it into its former glory. I didn't really mind it one bit. I loved the house. It seemed a bit whacky, but it had such a cosy feel about it that it made me want to move in immediately.

I grinned widely when I saw Rose Weasley and her younger brother already sitting there.

"What's up, person with the wicked cool name?" she greeted me, giving me a hug.

"Nothing much and I've got to say, your parents had fabulous taste in names."

"Don't they just," she said smiling, before moving on to the Potters.

Albus was busy nudging Hugo and grinning like a fool. Sometimes I really wonder if Hogwarts could handle so many Potters and Weasleys at the same time. I raised an eyebrow as I saw the two of them sneak off. I didn't even want to know. Honestly.

Rose sat back down on the couch and James pulled me down on top of him. I raised an eyebrow and stared at him blankly. Merlin knew that a month ago, I would have jumped off his lap immediately and disinfected myself, because, well, James probably had cooties. But not anymore and that was what disturbed me here immensely.

I knew Rose was watching back and forth between us as we held our staring contest, but I refused to budge.

"What's wrong, Rosie?" I saw Rose shudder out of the corner of my eye at the nickname. Yeah. I knew it! She would have hated it too! "Not up to the challenge?"

I held my head to the side. "What challenge would that be, Jimmy dear?"

Rose snickered.

James' eyes darkened a notch, but his smile never wavered. "Why, it looked like you were a tad uncomfortable there."

"Not at all," I replied, snuggling closer. "It's surprisingly cosy."

Rose groaned next to us. "Please, Merlin. Your relationship is either going to be utterly romantic or traumatic for all involved."

"Yes," I agreed, surprising everyone in the room and finally looking away from James. Even Mr. Potter's tea cup hesitated in mid air. "Traumatic."

James poked me in the side, which I ignored. Every possible seat in the living room was taken and I was awed at how big his family really was. Reading about it in the Daily Prohpet was a totally other thing all together from actually seeing them altogether in one room. Not to mention how highly uncomfortable I really felt, sitting there on James's lap under the watchful eye of his whole family.

I'm afraid I zoned out for the most part of that evening, only looking up when Mrs Weasley asked for my assistance in the kitchen.

"Rosemary, be a dear and help me out for a second in the kitchen?"

I looked up gratefully and glanced at James, who was engaged in what seemed to be quite a hilarious conversation with Rose and Teddy Lupin. I stood up and let Mrs Weasley lead the way to my salvation.

I saw Mr Potter high fiving his wife as I passed, but didn't really think much of it. I was just glad to get out of the room for a little while and besides I really didn't want to know what kind of bet they had going on anyway. "What can I help you with, Mrs Weasley?"

"Oh, please, dear. Call me Molly." I nodded graciously.

"You looked mighty uncomfortable there is all," she continued, fussing with the food. I moved to stand beside her and helped her out a little. Not that there was a lot to do, since she had bewitched almost everything in the kitchen. The food was literally preparing itself and I decided then and there that Molly Weasley was a goddess amongst women.

I wondered if she'd give me the spell if I asked nicely.

"Oh here you are," Victoire Weasley said upon entering the kitchen with her fiancé Teddy Lupin right behind her.

Mrs Weasley gave me a wink and a nudge, before leaving me behind with the two newcomers. I slightly wondered if this was a set-up.

"So, you're my cousin's newest girlfriend of the month, eh?" Teddy Lupin said as he tried to steal a pastry from behind me.

I narrowed my eyes at that. You shouldn't eat desert before dinner and I smacked his hand away.

Teddy raised an eyebrow at that and seemed slightly surprised at my actions.

"You should wait for desert," I told him sternly.

Victoire clapped her hands. "I keep telling him that. It's disturbing how much of a sweet tooth he has," she said, rolling her eyes at the last bit.

"I am marrying you, aren't I?" he asked playfully. "You're the sweetest person I know."

I blinked at that. What?

"Yeah keep the cheesy pick up lines coming, love, and see yourself standing alone at the altar," Victoire retorted smoothly.

"Sweetheart, I already picked you up with one of my cheesy lines. My work here," he gestured to all of her, "is done."

Victoire smacked his shoulder playfully. "Remind me why I'm engaged to you again?"

"It's my dashing good looks and impeccable humour."

"No, that's not it," Victoire said thoughtfully, tapping her chin.

I leaned against the counter as I watched the two. I couldn't help but feel amused as I watched the scene unfold. They were so playful yet so obviously in love with each other. It was adorable.

"Maybe it's because of my breathtaking moves in bed." He waggled his eyebrows and I wondered if they really wanted to continue down that lane with me standing right there.

"No," Victoire mused, before suddenly snapping her fingers. "I'm pretty sure it's because you can make yourself look like any member of the Squealing Squids." The Squealing Squids were a hot wizard band that every girl with any taste whatsoever in men had at least one poster of.

Teddy's face darkened. "You don't mean that."

Victoire gave me a wink. "It's so hot when he does that."

"I'm hot in my own right, woman!" I guess she was getting to him a little bit. He made another move for the cupcakes, but I just smacked his hand again.

"Don't you dare eat any of those."

"Who are you to say I can't eat my grandma's cupcakes anyway?" he whined.

I just crossed my arms, not impressed with his attitude at all. "Didn't you live with the Potters?"

Teddy frowned. "I used to, why?"

I nodded. I already knew that and to be honest, I had just asked that question for effect. "Because whining must run in the family then."

Victoire laughed at that. "I like you. Please marry James, so we can be family for real."

I felt myself whiten at that. "God, I hope it never comes to that," I whispered under my breath. But what if the curse was never lifted? Would I have no other choice but to marry James?

"What was that?" Teddy Lupin asked me suspiciously. I shrugged unwittingly, not willing to repeat myself again. He shook his head and seemed to gather his thoughts. He towered over me and tried his best to look menacing, which in all fairness he pulled off extremely well. I had heard he was part werewolf and I just hoped he wasn't going to scratch me or something. Maybe he just wanted me to pet him?

I gave Victoire a look, but she was too busy browsing through a Witch Weekly magazine to help me. No, I figured. He probably had Victoire to pet him anyway.

"What are your intentions with James?" he said in a growl.

I was just a poor Hufflepuff, I thought meekly. I doubt I was mentally strong and capable enough of saving myself from this kind of situation. Honestly though, how did I get myself into these things? And from all the questions he could have possibly asked me, why did he choose to go with this one? Really though, what did he expect me to say? 'I'm just here to have my womanly way with your adoptive brother, before knocking him up and leaving him in the gutter with his heart shattered to bits?' Please.

Who did he actually think he was then? I mean I may be just a lowly Hufflepuff ... Well scratch that. I'm by Merlin's underpants fucking proud to be a Hufflepuff and it was about damn time everyone stopped looking down on my House and my mates. It wasn't because one of our colours was that hideous yellow and that we were all portrayed as loyal and trustworthy that we couldn't be stubborn twats just like those damn Gryffindors.

I was done with people messing with my life. Just done. "Are you trying to intimidate me?" I asked Teddy Lupin, golden boy of the Potter family and child of two extraordinary war heroes.

"I believe he is trying to, yes," Victoire said, without looking up from her magazine.

At least I think she didn't look up, I couldn't be too sure since I was holding a staring contest with her ridiculously tall fiancé.

"Well, I would like to inform you, Mr Lupin," because it never hurt anyone to be polite, really, even if you're just trying to prove a point, "that your inconsiderate plan of cowing me into submission isn't really working. Furthermore, if you eat any of those deserts I'll rat you out to Mrs Weasley," I said sweetly.

"Traitor," Teddy Lupin said under his breath as Victoire giggled happily.

"I seriously like you," she told me with another wink. It struck me right then and there how beautiful she was. Her long blond hair, blue eyes and slim figure would give even Irena a run for her galleons. But right then and there her face contorted in something scary and menacing. "What Teddy - in his own clumsy, yet adorable way - was trying to tell you, was that if you hurt my little cousin, we'll hunt you down and sacrifice you to some odd god from ages past." She loudly threw the magazine back on the table to emphasize her point. "We clear on that?"

I blinked. Okay. Consider me cowed. "Yes."

"Good." She patted me on the head as she pulled Teddy away from me and back to the party. I turned around and inspected the pastries. I put them a bit in a more orderly way, hoping that I could clear my thoughts just as easily. It wasn't until I got to the muffins that I noticed that a cupcake was missing.

The bastard.

"Rosie?" I froze and stared at the empty spot where the cupcake should have been. "What are you doing?" I tried to smile a few times, before I got it right and turned around.

"Nothing, James. Let's go back to your family."

He gave me a weird look when he saw my broad smile that threatened to break my face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm peachy, sunshine. Let's roll." I moved past him. "James," I commanded when he didn't immediately follow. I stopped in my tracks. Wait. What.

I turned around and gazed at James wide-eyed.

"What? What is it?" he asked me, looking down at himself.

I looked at the distance between us and felt a genuine smile creep on my lips. A laugh escaped my lips when I saw the truth dawn on James too.

I had no idea how this had happened or how nobody, not even us, had noticed it till just now, but I only had one thing to say to this.

"Merry Fucking Christmas to me."

So what do you guys think? Are they really free of each other? And if they are, will Rosemary spend her favourite holiday with the Potters after all?

Is it how you imagined it would happen? Tell me your theories! (:

There are probably going to be 5 or so chapters left before we finish the story. Exciting, no?