"Are you sure, she's okay with you leaving?"

I emerge from my closet, carrying underwear in my hands. I stash the panties in my bag. "Yes. My dad not so much. But they have been arguing a lot, lately, so I am going either way. Whether they want me to or not. I can't stand their bickering any longer."

"Why?" The girls are sprawled on my bed, sitting or lying down. "What happened between them."

"Beats me." I disappear in my closet again. With yet another mountain of clothes, I reappear. "The day before Christmas Eve, mum threw dad out on the couch. The next day, at dinner with dad's family, they pretended as if nothing happened between the them."

"The annual Christmas Dinner with the Nightingale family." Roxanne sits up. "How are they?"

"Don't ask." I shake my head. "I know they are family and all that. But, girl, is it wrong of me to hate them at times. Deep down I love my cousins, but then again, I'm sometimes questioning myself why I even bother to show up."

Dominque ruffles through the clothes, I threw on my bed. She holds one up, smiling, throwing another one in my face. "Aren't they all younger or older than you are?"

"Yes," I place a pair of socks into the bag. "But it's not the age difference. I could care less about that. Those fuckers are so conceited because they're somewhat rich."

"Money does that to you." The girls all stand from their positions. "And I give Lance a free ticket. With those looks, and that body, he can be as conceited as he wants to be."

"First, ew. That's my cousin." I count down on my fingers. "Second of all, just because you have money and looks, doesn't mean that you should treat other people like dirt. Like they're something less than you are."

"They're family, either way." I zip up the bag, rolling my eyes. "You can try, but you can't get rid of or change them."

"Please," I scoff. "The second I am married, I will never look back to them. My husband's family will have to do. And if I hate them as well, I'll just never leave the house."

"You do that." Dominique adjusts the rosé golden watch on her wrist. "Did you get any presents? By the way, Nana has something for you when we get to the Burrow."

"She really is okay, with me staying? I don't want to intrude." I set the bag on the floor, and join my friends on my mattress.

"Bullshit!" Lucy assures me. "She even asked when you were going to come."

I sigh in relief. Years have passed with me camping in the Weasley Burrow. But as the time rolls by, I feel insecure about disturbing their family slash quality time.

"Good." I answer. "Mum gave me money. And I don't know what my father got me, if he got me anything."

"You still aren't talking?" They but shout. I shake my head. "This is getting ridiculous. He should be over you having love affairs."

"Tell that him." I stand from the bed. "Not me. I tried to talk to him."

"You folks are a mess."

"That we are."

The girls accompany me downstairs. Mother is in the living room, sipping wine in front of the fire place. Tired eyes watch the flames dance, licking and teasing one another. Soft music, saddens the atmosphere.

"Mum?" I carefully step forward. She turns to face me, a tender smile gracing her lips. "I'm going."

She sighs, the smile never leaving. "Okay." She stands to hug me goodbye. "Have fun. And give everyone my greetings, will you?"

I nod, wrapping my arms around her waist. We part. She kisses my forehead. "Will do. Don't hesitate to call me home, if anything happens."

"Don't worry. You go and enjoy your time."

"Bye."

"Goodbye, Mrs. Nightingale." The girls smile as we say our farewells.

Mother smiles. "Goodbye girls."

We hold hands. One of us turns on the spot. Apparating, the fastest way of transportation alongside the port keys, I will never get used to. It feels, as if one is sucked through a narrow, bright and colourful tube. Colours blur, disfigure and turn brown. My head spins when we arrive. The Burrow, in front, is standing like it has always done. I smile at the brick walls, the crooked windows and the snow all over the home. Soft snow flakes rain down on us, coating our clothes, entwining with our hair.

"Let's go." Dom shrieks as she stumbles through the snow. She falls face first. We laugh, running right passed her and into the warm comforts of the house. The parents are gathered in the living room, enjoying their hot beverages in front of the fire place. They stop at the sound of our laughter.

"You could have at least waited for me." Dominique emerges from behind us. Covered in snow, from head to toe, she steps inside the house.

"Dominique." Her nana screams, from the kitchen. "Go and shake off that snow outside. I'll be damned if I have you cover my ground in that thing."

"How does she even know?" We turn to wipe our shoes.

"Hello." I greet the large family, after discarding my clothes and beanie. Mrs. DeLacour-Weasley is the first to stand. She reaches over, kissing both my cheeks.

"Bonjour Vienna." Her thick accent is still strong. "It iz ... 'ow do you say? Such a pleasure, tu zee you 'ere. Say, 'ow iz your mama doing?"

"Hello. She's great. She sends her greetings." I wave my hand for the rest of the adults. They smile.

We wear pots in the kitchen, scratching, clashing against one another. Nana Weasley stands in the door way. Her still flamingly red but slowly whitening hair is pushed back, a bandana rolled up and wrapped around her head. "I knew I heard your lovely voice. Come here."

I smile at her outstretched arms. Eagerly, I step into her embrace. Our arms wrap around one another, our feet rocking us from side to side. Nana Weasley smiles, laughs in delight.

"Look at you." She steps away, holding me at an arm's length. She nods approvingly. "Turn for me. Oh you have always been so beautiful. What a nice cute little bottom. You must be having boys chasing you."

"If only you knew." I hear Dom mutter from the door.

"It's so nice to see you again, Mrs. -"

"Nonsense!" She waves her wooden spoon in the air. Lovingly, she places a wrinkly, but warm hand on my cheek. "How often do I have to tell you to call me Nana. You're family."

"Nana." She smiles. "It's nice to see you again."

"I am glad you could make it. Girls, why are you letting your friend, our guest, carry her belongings. Go help her."

"Oh it's okay."

"Yeah." Dominique unwraps her coat. "She's a big girl. And as family, I don't have to carry her stuff."

Nana Weasley shakes her head. "You will never get a husband with that attitude, young lady."

"Mama," Dom's mother speaks. "Do not vorry, mama. One day, she will get a nice 'usband zat will match 'er demeanor, oui?"

"Close." Bill Weasley smiles at his wife, placing a loving kiss on her cheek. The veela woman, sinks into his arms, soaking in the warmth.

"Why don't you girls get you settled." Her wooden spoon smack against my tight dark jeans. "Move that butt. Wash your hands and get back down. I have cookies for you to eat."

I blush at her movements. Following her orders, the girls and I walk up the stair case. Different heads pop over the railing, looking at the arriving ones. I look up, smiling at the different hair colours. They wave, wink, smile.

We walk into one of the many rooms. Four small beds are pushed against the walls, two on each side. I set my bag on one of them.

"You better settle in, or that woman is going to have my head. I don't know why but Nana doesn't think me to be a proper lady."

"Because you're not." We laugh.

"But I still have social skills."

"Barely."

She grumbles, her eyes dropping. Dominique pulls me down the stairs, leading us into the kitchen. Magically, the utensils move freely in space, circling, mixing and cutting. We sit at the table.

"Do you need any help Nana?" I place my elbows on the table and lean forward.

"Thank you my dear." She retrieves a tray of freshly baked sweets. "But I have it under control." She takes the spinning whisk, rotating it in the batter, before adding chocolate chips. She lets go. The whisk continues to stir, to finish her work. "Here you go."

"Thank you."

The different flavours burst in my mouth; spicy, sweet and a hue of lemon. My taste buds moan, orgasm as they raise to paradise. The bitter sweet chocolate melts on my tongue, dissolves and makes me crave more.

"Nana. These," I point to the cookie. "These are amazing."

Nana Weasley smiles, a warm laugh shaking her form. "Thank you sweetheart. At least someone appreciates my cooking."

Dominique's brows furrow. She smiles big, turning around. "Your cookies are delicious grandma."

"Oh stop kissing my arse Dominique. It does not become you." The blonde shakes her head, slouching in her chair. Nana Weasley laughs once again, placing a soft kiss on her granddaughters head. "I'm just joking, sweetheart."

"Whatever Nana, you still have to give Vienna her present, remember."

"Right!" She pats her apron covered, plump body. "Now where did I put my glasses? I need to see her face."

"They're on your head, Nana." Roxanne and Lucy laugh.

"Right, silly me." Nana Weasley puts on her glasses, picking out a neatly wrapped package. She hands me the gift, a soft smile winking at me.

"You shouldn't have." I hesitate, playing with the beautiful wrapping paper. Small snowflakes adorn the paper, imitating the weather outside.

"It's nothing, sweetheart." She smiles. "Open it."

I rip the paper. Steele grey material is soft under my fingertips. I unwrap the clothing, looking at the blue V in the middle. "A Weasley jumper? But-"

"No buts. You may not be related by blood but I still consider you family."

I stand, pushing the tears back, to give the old lady a hug.

"Come on, put it on." I shake off my current hoodie. "I wasn't sure what size to make it."

"It's perfect, thank you." I hug her once again. The jumper is slightly bigger than my form. I smile, liking it this way. My hands partially disappear in the long sleeves. "It even has the Ravenclaw colours."

"I know the colours are actually bronze and blue but a little bird told me to go with silver, matching the stunning colour of your beautiful eyes."

"Thank you." We hug again.

"You're welcome. Why don't you girls play outside? The snow looks beautiful."

"Maybe later."

As told, we find ourselves outside, in the thick blanket of crystalized rain drops. Rolling around balls of snow, we decided to create a snowman. Sticks we use as arms. A carrot will act as a nose.

"This is boring." Dominique lowers the hat onto the smallest but highest sphere of snow. "Nana could not have given us anything worse to do."

"This sucks." Roxanne throws particles of snow into the air. The big portions fall, hitting us on the heads.

I complain, throwing little amounts of the white stuff at her. We break into a fight, laughing and running as we try our best to hit each other. We stop as a fast, strong ball hits our snowman. The ball leaves an imprint, leaving our made man crippled.

"Hey." We watch as the head falls backwards. We look around, wanting to find out who threw the ball. "Someone killed our snowman."

"It wasn't me." Roxanne lifts her hands, dropping the cold substance.

"None of us did it."

Another ball circles over our heads, edging closer and closer. The frozen mass misses us, falling to the ground, a few meters away. Our heads turn with it. They move back, towards the direction the ball is headed from. Another one flies over the house.

"Are these intentionally thrown over our house?"

We watch another one fly.

"I think so."

The girls and I walk around the house. Attentive, we round the brick walls, and stump through the snow. The male Weasley and Potter descendants stand in front of the house, friends surrounding them.

"What are you doing?" Angry, the blonde veela watches as Teddy balls up a good amount of snow in his hands. The pressure he applies, is enough to hold the small particles together, to strengthen the structure. His arm swings back and forth abruptly. As he does so, he releases the ball.

"Throwing snow balls." Freddie is the next one to create a sphere. "Can't you tell?"

"We can." Dominique glares. "But why are throwing them over the house?"

"It's a competition or challenge." He throws. "Call it whatever you want."

"Enna." Potter greets happily. "If it isn't the sun that brings light to my darkness."

"Potter." I answer unsure, stepping back.

"Vienna." The small, free-spirited Potter child races forward. Excitedly, she engulfs me in an embrace.

"Hey you." I give the girl a gentle squeeze. "How have you been? I haven't seen you much lately."

"Good. A little bored with nothing to do."

"Ahh." I laugh slowly. "I know exactly where you are coming from."

"I suggested playing something. But all they want to do is throw fucking snowballs over the house. Like that's any fun."

"Boys." I roll my eyes. "But what kind of game did you suggest?"

"Cops and robbers."

"Cops and robbers, huh." I play with the flakes on my jacket. "Sounds interesting."

"What sounds interesting?" The boys question.

"Cops and robbers."

"Where would you even play? We don't have enough hiding spaces to play a nice game."

"Whoever said that we needed to play here?" I smile at the girls. "Aren't there woods surrounding your home, Potter?"

"Is this you asking me to show you my room?"

"No Potter." I roll my eyes. "There are woods around your house. And unlike Hogwarts I bet that you have magical barriers around them. So no evil beasts and no horror scenarios."

We arrive at the Potter manner. Almost immediately, the large groups crosses the ground, stopping in front of the tree line. Potter smiles.

"Now to pick teams." Teddy calls out. "Vee and James are captains."

Potter and I stand in front of the lot. "Ladies first." He gives me the first pick.

I roll my eyes. "Teddy." I announce proudly and clap both his hands as he walks towards me. Potter curses under his breath.

"Whore." I hear Dominique's disbelieving shriek.

"Fred." Potter picks.

"Roxy."

"Vienna!" She shrieks louder.

"Dom."

She sticks her tongue out as she walks towards the opposite team. "See what you did? We aren't even on the same team now."

"Sorry." I grimace. "Lysander."

"Al."

"Rose."

"Lorcan."

"Lily." The youngest Potter girl cheers, skipping to stay on my side.

"Andrew."

"Little Malfoy." I smile, and ruffle my hand through his hair. He gives me a slight push, laughing.

"Aiden."

"Then that leaves Lucy to me." We smile at one another. "The next thing we need to ask ourselves, what team is going to be what?"

"Rock, paper, scissors." James comes closer. "Two out of three wins and can decide what to be." We go for it.

We shake our hands. One. Two. Three. His rock destroy my scissors. His team cheers him on. We try again. My paper covers his rock.

"Really, Potter." Teddy calls from my side. "Two times rock?"

"Last round, love." He smirks and teasingly shakes his fist. "One. Two. Three."

My team erupts in cheers. Potter losing, causes his team to sulk. Defeated, he turns around and watch as my group huddles together.

"Okay, you get a five minute head start."

I run into the woods.

I hide behind the thick rind of a tree. Trees are everywhere, covered in snow, naked from the cold. Attentive, I move from behind it. Footsteps imprint the virgin snow. Someone had been here. I look around, hoping that I am alone. A twig snaps behind me. My hair whips against my shoulders, as I turn around. Nothing. I turn back around. I gasp as I see the face in front of me. Blue eyes smile with mirth.

"Teddy." I scold him, gently punching him in the chest. "You scared me to death."

The older man laughs. "Sorry. I just had to. You were being too careless. I was able to see you all the way back there." He points out his finger.

"Has anyone besides Scorpius been caught?"

"They got Roxanne and Lysander and Rose I think."

"So that leaves you, me and Lily." I count us off my fingers.

"Exactly. And Lorcan is running around somewhere near. We better get going."

We take off, slowly walking around the perimeter. Teddy is silent. His hands are stuck in his pockets, his chin beneath his jacket.

"Is everything alright?" I hoop my arm through his. "You seem sad."

He sighs and I see it. Teddy, the always smiling, always laughing boy, has deep bags under his eyes. His usual, beautifully groomed beard, is uneven, patchy and growing longer in some places, than others. He looks tired, exhausted from all the work.

He laughs lightly to himself. "Didn't the girls tell you?"

I tilt my head in confusion. I pull him to a stop. "Tell me what?" My voice is gentle, carrassing his cold ears.

Teddy's lips pull into a slanted pose. "Victoire and I," He stops to take a breath. "We are no longer a couple."

"What?" Perplexed, I reach out to wrap my arms around his neck. "But - since when? Everything seemed to go fine for the two of you. I don't understand."

Teddy Lupin gives me a light squeeze. He laughs to himself. "It is better this way. We both came to realize that the love we once held for one another, isn't the same it used to be. People change over time. I thought I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Victoire. But as time past, it just didn't make sense anymore. I fell out of love. And so did she."

"But -"

"No buts, Nightingale." He smiles warmly and taps my reddish nose. "If it's meant to be this way, so it be. It's easier this way."

"Are you okay, though." I lightly hit myself with my gloved hands. "Stupid question, of course you're not okay."

Teddy steadies me with both hands. "I'm fine. Believe me." Wrinkled eyes smile at me.

"Are you sure?" He leads us further.

"Positive."

I sigh. "When did you break up, if you don't mind me asking?"

"A couple of days ago." His eyes focus on something in the distance. "But I knew for months, before that, that we wouldn't last longer. Kisses weren't passionate anymore. They were just something we did to pass time; small pieces of hope, that maybe we could grasp to ignite the flames again. It didn't work. Sex was out of question. Victoire wants to marry pure, clean. I wouldn't be able to live with myself, if I had taken that from her, just to spike things up again. It would have been wrong."

"Teddy." I whimper softly, tears welling in my eyes. Removing one of my gloves, I take his hand in mine. Our skin, cold yet warm, touches and I squeeze.

"What's wrong, love?" He wipes the tears from my eyes. "Why are you crying? Do not cry for me, love. I'm fine, really. I'm kind of glad that it is over."

I nod, wiping at the remaining wetness. Screams echo in our ears. Teddy smiles down at me. "We better run."

And so we do. I let go of his hand and begin to move my legs. One foot after another, I place on the ground. Picking up speed, I circle around trees and take as many turns as I can.

"Give up!" Dominique and Lorcan scream. "You are the only ones left. You have no chance against us." Their laughter is mean, malicious.

"Go run." Teddy stops. I stop as well, searching his eyes.

"What are you doing?" I screech. "We are going to lose."

"Run, Nightingale." He laughs and pushes me forward. I smile at him and follow his order.

My feet are heavy in the snow. Small, but deep puffs of air escape from my lips. My breath is visible in front of my eyes. My heart beats hard, fast in my chest. Lorcan's footsteps are getting closer, louder. I escape the trees, ending back in the backyard of the Potter manner. The rest of my group is standing in a make shift prison. Wide eyed, they watch me run from Lorcan.

"Freddie!" Lorcan screams. "Nightingale is the last man standing."

Several of the opposite team members are running after me, trying to catch me. I laugh at the rush of adrenaline in my veins, the burn in my lungs.

"Potter!" They all call out.

James, as fast as he is, is able to catch up to me. From behind, I feel his chest press against my back. Arms wrap around my waist and pick me from the ground. We spin. The world becomes a blur of white. I scream, in delight, defeated. Potter and I fall to the ground. His fully clothed body covers mine, presses me and my hair into the snow. He laughs in my ear. I breathe heavily, giggling myself. His warm breath hit against my cheeks. I embrace the heat.

"Gotcha." He whispers, placing a chaste kiss on my cheek. First, he picks up himself. Then, he takes my hands and pulls me along. The very same hands, snow me off.

"I got it." I use my own ones to get the snow from my clothes.

His team cheers, and begins to jump up and down. They throw with snow, collapsing on top of one another. Teddy stands by my side. We shake our heads, laughing.

Later that day, we make it back to the Burrow. Nana Weasley makes us undress in the front, not wanting to have any snow in her home. She even makes the boys dress down to their underwear.

"Long Johns, Potter?" I raise a brow, noting that the long underwear does actually suit him.

"I look good in them." He merely states. One of his hands travel along his sculpted body, grabbing his junk, giving it a squeeze. "And they keep me warm. Plus, my arse looks fine as fuck in these."

"Of course." I drop my pants, glad that my shirt is long enough to cover everything important. Tip toeing on naked toes, I head for the stairs.

"And where are you going, young lady?" Nana Weasley places her hands on her hips.

"Upstairs?"

"But not with those clothes." She takes them from my hand.

"Nana," I try to get them back. "I cannot let you wash and dry my clothing. Please." I try to reason with her. She, not wanting to have it, shakes her head, walking from the set of stairs to grand me passage. I take off after her.

Nana Weasley, teasingly screams and picks up speed. "Teddy dear," her lovely voice calls out. "Go take her."

A shirtless, and half naked Teddy Lupin walks towards me. Cold hands graze my naked legs. I shriek, pushing him from me. "Your hands are freezing."

He laughs, rubbing at the soft hairs on his broad chest. "So are yours. And now keep going Nightingale. There isn't a chance of you winning an argument with that woman. The sooner you realize, the better." His fingertips wrap around my wrist, pulling me a long.

"Teddy." I try to pry them off me. We ascend the stairs. "I can't let her wash my clothes. How does that look?"

"She offered it." Dominique pushes against my back. "Let her do it, if she wants to."

"I can't." Teddy hands my hand to her. She continues to drag me along.

We enter our room. She pulls out my stuff. "Just get dressed. And don't you even dare to think of going down there."

"There really is no other option, Vienna." Roxanne and Lucy enter as well. "Nana will do what she wants."

I sigh, falling onto the bed. I trace my hands along the embroidery, giving up.

After getting dressed, we lay in our beds. The other children have decided to come into our room as well.

"Move over." Potter pushes at my form. Dressed in a jumper and silk, form fitting tracksuit pants he scoots in behind me.

"Potter?" I look at him. "What the bloody hell are you trying to do?"

He hushes me, getting under the blankets with me. His head hits my borrowed pillow. He pulls me closer and wraps his arm around me. Warmth spread around me, embracing me in a heated cocoon. I stop struggling, enjoying the heat. The lights are dimmed. Slow music plays and soft whispers dance in the room. My eye lids become heavier. I miss the conversation, the questions and the topics. Potter's arms hold me tight, turning me gently, pressing my face against his chest. Cologne reaches my nostrils. My hair is fanned behind me.

I feel his hands pull at my naked legs, draping one over his hip. Dressed in my new jumper and booty shorts, I did not think the boys would come. Potter's fingers dance across my skin, pulling me even closer if possible.

My head is tucked safely against his chest, under his chin. His body is flat on mine, his warmth lulling me to sleep. The soft notes strengthen the effect. I sigh. I fall asleep, his strong arms encaging me.

A/N

Guest: IFORGOT

I am glad that you enjoy my work of art. I do try to give my characters authenticity by thinking, what would I do?And most of the things, especially the girls talking with each other, is based on how I communicate with my best friend. You are the second one, to tell me that they have read my work in ONE/TWO day(s). That makes me happy, and brings a big smile to my face. Never did I imagine that I would be one of THOSE authors (even though I do think that my work is good! And No Hate, CONFIDENCE in your work and abilities is #1 priority!). I really got inspired by the songs that I have posted, to write the Halloween chapter. And I really looked forward to it. 17.000+ words is the longest I have written and probably will write. But I wanted that to be long and juicy and ... I don't even have the words for it. Jason... Soon. Thestrals... Soon. I promise to give you answers.

As for OTHER Harry Potter stories... I actually didn't want to say it just yet. But since you gave me these outstanding and heart-warming reviews, I guess I can give you something. After 'In Memory Of ...'is finished, I of course want to start another story. And that is what I am going to do. I already know what and who it is going to be about. So if you want to know more, just keep reading and I will drop hints.

HINT #1 It will be Colourful