Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

##########

Skies were darkening, clouds forming, lives constantly changing. Voldemort's master plan was moving forward smoothly and he knew it. Oh yes, his confidence was rising steadily, progressing by the moment. He had finally stuck a stronghold into the ministry. The Minister was blind, hilariously so, creating the perfect opening. He had followers along every office that gave him the information he needed when he needed it.

Remus Lupin was out of the way, almost indefinitely. If the death eaters he had sent out succeeded in what they were commanded to do the boy would no longer be a pain in his side. It was only two out of the eight taken care of. Pettigrew would fall at his feet with no more than a nod of his head and Lupin would soon be gone.

It was too easy really, so much so that he nearly pitied those that were in the way of his reign. A new world order was about to be unraveled. All the Mudbloods and scum would be wiped clean. His schedule was flexible at the moment, nothing pressing to be handled which meant he could get the ones pathetically standing in his way out of his path.s

"Bellatrix," he called out in his nails-on-chalkboard voice. She strutted into the room with the usual air of confidence surrounding her.

"Yes, my lord?" she spoke, smilingly sweet. Annoyance rose up within him.

"What is the latest on that Potter boy and Little Miss Evans?"

"Potter now, my lord, they've been married," she said, appearing disgusted.

"Of course, that is no new news," he scoffed, "What have their feelings towards Lupin's disappearance been?" She cackled at the questions and his annoyance rose even higher.

"They're pathetic. Scuttling everywhere like lost little babies,"

"Perfect,"

"What is it about them that is so pressing, my lord?"

"Absolutely nothing," he drawled, looking bored.

"Then why waste the time, my lord?"

"Do you not trust my views, Bellatrix?"

"No, no, not at all, my lord," a picture of fear graced her features and a cruel smile came to his face. Fear, it was a beautiful thing to witness.

"I will tell you my reasons, Bellatrix, because I believe it will regain your trust that I do desire," he spoke, nearly mockingly.

"Yes, my lord,"

"It is not wasting time, it's increasing it. They will do nothing more than slow us down and the sooner I have completed my plan the better. The sooner all has come to a close the less opportunities there are for…complications,"

"Indeed, my lord,"

"Good, I'm glad you understand. Now leave me, and tell Pettigrew to get closer to the Potters,"

She dashed out with nothing more than a short nod, a little less strut in her step. All was going well.

##########

"Finished with that paper work yet, Potter?" Moody spoke brusquely.

James looked up to his boss with a look of gloom obviously upon his face. He was undoubtedly exhausted, the purple bags drawn beneath his eyes a clear manifest of the fact. His movement were sluggish, his inky hair sticking up worse than usual, his fingers shaking, and his work desk with not a piece of wood showing due to the dozens of papers scattered across it.

"Not exactly, Moody," he breathed, rubbing his hazel eyes, causing them to appear red and irritated. He squeezed them shut, willing the pain of little sleep to leave him. He was surprised to feel a strong hand on his shoulder.

"Get it together, Potter. Lupin knows what he's doing," Moody said. For the first time he sounded hesitant. Encouragement obviously wasn't his strong suit.

"Why couldn't you have just given him the job?" James spoke, his voice cracking for a split second.

It had been the question running through his head over and over again for the past four weeks. Christmas was arriving yet he felt none of the joy that usually accompanied the season. Moody could have hidden it from the Ministry, let Remus graduate Auror Training anyway. It had crushed the last of Remus' dwindling confidence, James knew. They had done what they could, but it wasn't enough.

"Do you think Remus was even supposed to train?" Moody asked accusingly. "I did the best I could, Potter. It was hard enough trying to avoid all the questions they were asking me about him! The registration was binding, a lying spell engraved upon it, it was Remus that lost himself the job,"

"AS IF HE BROUGHT THAT…CURSE UPON HIMSELF? HE HAD NO CHOICE! He's…one of the beset people I know," James' voice trailed off at the end and he collapsed back in his seat having stood up during his tirade.

"I know that, Potter, and there's nothing I could have done,"

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you," James finally said placing his face in his hands.

"Take the day off Potter, all this paperwork is ridiculous, they're keeping you five off the field on purpose I suspect. Might as well go get some sleep," he noted at James' drooping eyes.

"Thank you, Moody," James spoke graciously. Without another word he scooped his things into his arms and left the office.

##########

"'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la la," Lily sang under breath as she strung garland atop the mantel. "Dawn we now our," she screamed as arms encircled her waist, but the sound died in her throat after the familiar scent of hot chocolate and cinnamon entered her senses.

"Jumpy?" James asked in her ear. She placed her hands on his own and turned her head to look up at him with a small smile.

"A bit, I suppose," she said with a chuckle.

"What was that you were singing?" He asked, his nose nuzzled into her neck and she shivered.

"Muggle Christmas songs, they're brilliant,"

"You'll have to show them to me," he said pressing a chaste kiss to her neck. Her grin widened and she turned around in his arms, placing her own on his shoulders.

"Why are you home early?" she asked running her fingers through his hair.

"Is there any problem with that?" he spoke with a chuckle.

"Not at all," she said stepping up on the tips of her toes to kiss him softly.

"Moody said I should get some rest," he murmured against her lips.

"Then you should probably go up to bed," she said falling back on his feet. He pouted and she laughed at his expression. "You're tired," she supplied tracing the purple marks beneath his eyes.

"But Liiillllyyyyy," he whined.

"Stop acting like a five-year old, Prongs," she said rolling her eyes.

"Prongs," he echoed with a strange look in his eyes. She looked at him questioningly. "You've never called me that before,"

"Is there something wrong with that?" she said with a smirk.

"Not at all, it's hot," he spoke, a bright smile finding its way to his face.

"Oh, shut up," she said, amused, hitting him on the chest before stepping back to what she was doing. "Now go to bed,"

"Come with me?" he asked cheekily. She turned back around and smiled, thinking of how much she loved him.

"James, you need sleep," she said shooing him with her hand. With one last pout he marched up the stairs, leaving Lily to finish decorating the house.

##########

"PRONGS!"

James tumbled from the comforting covers of his bed and landed on the floor with a loud 'thud'. A bout of familiar laughter rang through the room causing him to scowl from his place on the floor. He realized, while still annoyed, that the carpet beneath him was quite comforting.

"Shut it, Sirius," he growled moving to sit up. "Why are you here anyway?"

"What, don't like me anymore, Prongs?"

"Not at the moment, no," he spoke rearranging his shirt from how it had shifted while he was sleeping. "Now, you haven't answered my question yet,"

"Sunshine invited us, we're decorating the Christmas tree!" he said looking like a little kid. Sirius didn't get much Christmas festivities when he was young so ever since he went to Hogwarts t had been his favorite holiday.

"I still don't see why you found it funny to wake me up," he said with a yawn. While he did feel quite refreshed a few extra minutes of sleep would have been graciously accepted. Sirius raised his hands in defense.

"It was Sunshine that told me to, if you've anyone to blame let it be her,"

"Suuuuurrrrreeeee, Sirius, whatever you say," James said looking skeptical.

"No, really! Ask her yourself!"

"I was just kidding, Padfoot," James said laughing. He patted Sirius on the back before walking down the stairs.

What met his sight made him grin widely. The smile faltered when he remembered Remus wouldn't be there. The house appeared stunning in red, green, and gold laced around everything. Lily had done brilliantly and was suddenly glad she called him down to help decorate the tree.

Lily, Marlene, Alice, and Frank were busy sifting through boxes of ornaments he had never seen before. He turned to look at the couch and was extremely surprised to see Peter sitting there, looking nervous.

"Wormtail!" he spoke causing the man to jump, "Where've you been? I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Work has me traveling," he spoke softly.

"Where was it you worked again?" Lily asked, smiling widely at James before turning towards Peter.

"Transportation offices," he squeaked, wringing his hand as he fidgeted on the couch.

"Oh, that makes sense," Lily spoke with a warm grin pushed his way. He smiled back timidly in response.

"Come help us with the tree, Wormtail," Sirius said while inspecting a rather strange ornament that appeared to be insulting him. "This is gold, Sunshine," he chuckled. "Where'd you find these?"

"Donations from friends, really. I picked a few up at Diagon Alley today as well, it was my day off," she said only glancing at Peter for a second as he moved to help them. James looked worried.

"You went to Diagon Ally by yourself?" he questioned. His hazel eyes flashed dangerously.

"Is there a problem with that?" She asked him, looking confused.

"Lily, its dangerous! You were there, at the battle, it's not safe!" he spoke striding towards her and taking her elbows in his hands.

"James, calm down, please. It's not that big of a deal!"

"Not that big of a deal, Lily, of course it is! You could have been kidnapped again!"

"James, I can't live my life hiding! It isn't going to happen again and you know that," she muttered angrily, trying to stay clam and keep her voice down.

"How could we know, Lily? He's still after you, nothing has happened that says otherwise!"

"Say his name, James," she challenged, narrowing her eyes. "Say it,"

The room was silent and the air chilled and heavy with newfound anger. Marlene, Alice, Frank, Sirius, and Peter remained frozen where they were standing, seemingly unable to move. Lily and James always used to fight, but since they got married they hadn't seen it happen. A fire was burning in their eyes yet James didn't respond to Lily's command. His mouth opened and closed a few times, but no words came out. Finally he stepped forward even further and bent his head down, nose touching hers.

"Lily," he whispered. She looked up at him, her emerald eyes as big as saucers. "I just want you to be safe."

"Say it, James. I need you to say it. I need to know you can," she spoke, nearly in tears. Not from the conversation, but from everything; everything that had happened in the last few weeks, all the searching and the lost sleep. James' closeness was somewhat comforting. She could feel his breath on her nose.

"Voldemort," he spoke. His eyes were closed and his voice shook. "I'm so scared Lily. I can't loose you,"

"We have to be strong, James, it's the only way," she spoke softly as a singular tear leaked down her face leaving a small track in its wake. His thumb automatically moved to her cheek, swiping away before it dripped down her chin.

"But it's not, Lily, it's not," he pleaded with her. "I'm here, we're here, you don't have to be strong all the time because when you're not you have us to back you up! You need to understand that,"

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying best she could to hold back the tears she could feel prickling behind her lids. Suddenly a large hand landed upon her shoulder, a hand that was not James'. Sirius.

"Sunshine," he muttered, his voice sounding broken, "The world isn't on your shoulders. You need out help,"

"That doesn't mean I'm defenseless," she spoke, eyes still closed.

"They never said you were, Lily," this time it was Marlene coming up to Lily's side on Sirius' right.

In seconds Alice and Frank had moved to Sirius' left and the group huddled into a large hug. Lily circled her arms around James and James one arm around Lily and one around Marlene. Marlene connected to James and Sirius, Sirius to Frank, Frank to Alice, and Alice to James, all surrounding Lily.

The only one out of the circle was Peter. Peter who was only there for the power it might bring him. They all knew they were going to have a rough Christmas. If only Remus were there.

##########

The words I wrote in my chapter flowed so smoothly that I realized I wasn't even thinking when I wrote it, it's raw emotion, I can tell you that. My characters, I honestly love them so much and I know I'm going to cry in the end. I hope you loved this chapter as much as I did.

On a different note, I think I got a total of two reviews last chapter. I'm not asking for more, I'm just wondering why. Was the last chapter boring? Dragging on? Unimportant? I genuinely wish to know so I can improve upon these next chapters. I have big plans, I assure you, which is why these past two or so chapters have been a bit dull, I realize. Please tell me what you think and thanks so much, as always! :)

-Sweets5236