AN: So, I wasn't actually going to post this chapter today, but I felt I should post something at least, considering I was suppose to update on Boxing day, and then I told myself to update on New Year's, and I never did, so I felt I should post something. So... sorry if it's not amazing, but... it is something, and there is some Charlie/Amy towards the end. Hope everyone had a great break/holidays!
Dedication: To Annie, Ghikhan, and Julie! Happy Belated Birthdays!
Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize.


Several hours later, Amy found herself on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, which she had just Apparted into. Amy pulled one of Charlie's scarves closer around her neck as she trudged through the snow, bracing herself against the bone-chilling winds that were blowing harshly against her as she approached the castle, which was looming in the distance. The snow was almost knee high, and Amy was glad she had borrowed a pair of Charlie's worker boots, without them she'd probably be adding lost toes to her list of mostly healed injuries. Already, she couldn't wait to get back to Charlie's apartment, which was far more cozy then the drafty castle, of whose grounds she had just entered. Even if Charlie wasn't there (he was at St. Mungo's visiting his dad, after much reassurance from Amy that she would be fine without him for a few hours) at least she would be somewhere she felt safe. Not to say that she didn't feel safe at Hogwarts, after all, it was the safest place in Wizarding Britain, but Amy would prefer to be somewhere that didn't have the constant fear of a certain toad-like witch popping out of dark corners.

The chance of running into Umbridge, who was likely roaming the halls and crushing the Christmas spirits of little children (and Amy did not mean that figuratively), and running into her would be extremely problematic, seeing as the Toad-Witch would probably demand to know exactly where she had been, which Amy would of course never tell, but it's not like she would Umbridge that.

So, Amy's plan was pretty simple, and consisted of her sneaking back onto the grounds (complete), collect her clothes for the break, and avoid Umbridge, Filch, and his nasty cat at all costs (that thing seriously needs a bath). Simple enough, but as the past few years (actually the past few hours) had shown, Hogwarts and Amy's lives were anything but simple.

While the halls were decorated to the point of combustion with holly, garland, candles, and numerous Christmas trees, the halls were basically deserted. Amy was sure that the students were most likely huddled around the fires of their common rooms, basking in the glorious warmth that Amy coveted, especially as she shivered in the chilly hallways. Quickly, Amy rushed up several flights of stairs, dodging the tricks steps, and several Christmas caroling ghosts, who were very determined to have Amy listen to their catchy renditions of Wizarding carols, as she approached her room. Although it had been less than twenty four hours since she had been in her quarters, something seemed cozy, the rich colors had once seemed to hug her, filling her with warmth, but after everything she had been through, it was almost as though it didn't still feel like home… as though its once warm embrace was now emotionless and cold.

Amy shivered, desperate to shake these feelings from her body as she busied herself around her room, gathering articles of clothing, essays that needed to be graded, books, and many other miscellaneous materials, stuffing them into a bag of hers. She had just closed her lesson planner, stuffing it into her bag so she could make the necessary revisions to it, when, from outside her room, Amy heard numerous voices, all identifiable, and the majority of them angry about something.

Amy shut her bag with a snap, picking it up, before padding softly across the floor, pressing her ear against the entrance so as to hear what exactly was going on.

"Professor, may I remind you," Umbridge's nasally voice began, leaking through the crack between the door and the floor, "that you specifically informed me that Professor Wyman was here all night, and yet, several hours have passed and there has been no sign of her. I've said it from the very beginning that she is a no good-" Amy opened the door, cutting Umbridge the Toad off in mid-insult. She put on a surprised face as the Toad and Professor Dumbledore turned to her.

"Oh, professors!" Amy greeted brightly. "Just the people I wanted to see!" Amy smile (despite its falseness) could have lit up the darkest of dungeons, and the witch sent a brief, humorous wink at the Headmaster, before replacing her bright façade.

"Is that so?" Dumbledore asked jovially, catching onto the game that Amy was playing and joining in. "And why is that?"

Amy emitted a fairy like, although very fake, giggle. "To wish you a Merry Christmas, of course!" she cried brightly, beaming at the jovial Headmaster and the snooty, toady witch. "I was just on my way out actually." Amy continued. She reached for her bag which she had set at the entrance to her room. "I'm heading back to the States, you see." (Not true actually. Her parents had decided to take a trip in honor of their 30 year anniversary, so Amy was actually staying in London, but Umbridge didn't need to know that.) "I don't really have a say in any holiday plans. Not when my mom has anything to say about it." (That was true, so very true.) Amy made a show of checking her watch. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm actually running late, and you know how mothers can be. You're late by five minutes and they think you've been kidnapped. Again, Happy Holidays professors!" Amy said this all so quickly that she gave Umbridge and Dumbledore no time to respond, aside from the Toad's undignified sputtering and the Headmaster's bright Holiday wishes, as Amy walked down the hall.

She thought she was in the clear until she heard the witch-toad's girlish voice from behind her.

"Professor Wyman! Excuse me, professor!" Amy groaned before plastering a very fake smile across her face and turning to look at the witch who was waddling towards her at the full speed of a snail.

"Yes?" Amy asked through clenched teeth, raising an eyebrow, trying in any way, shape, or form to hide her distaste for the toad-like woman, who had finally bumbled to a halt in front of the younger witch.

The Toad-Woman smiled up at Amy, making her feel so much taller, as she looked down upon her colleague (and Amy used that in the loosest of terms).

"I wanted to talk to you about your job performance review, dear," Umbridge began, smiling at Amy with pointed teeth.

Something began to brew in the pit of Amy's stomach. Fear? Worry? Hatred? An most unnatural urge to beat Umbridge's face in with a candy cane perhaps? "Oh," Amy started, "What about it?" Umbridge's snarly smile grew larger. So did the feeling in Amy's stomach.

"Well," the older witch said slowly, obviously trying for dramatic effect. "After much thought an consideration, and after approval from the Minister of Magic, the Ministry, and, of course, myself, we believe that it is fit to inform you that you are to be put on probation, staring immediately." Amy's false smile began to slide off her face as Umbridge continued. "In addition to you being on probation, I will now observe all of your classes to ensure that the students are learning in environment deemed safe and constructive by the Ministry." She paused. "I'm sure you understand. It's for the children's good after all." Umbridge smiled her sickeningly sweet snarl, as Amy restrained herself from punching the witch (she doubted that would be considered a 'safe and constructive' way of teaching the Toad a lesson).

"Of course," Amy said dully. "I understand. It's for the children's sake, it's all for the children." A deaf person would've been able to hear the sarcasm in Amy's voice. "And just out of curiosity, did you even talk to the American Wizarding Ambassadors about this? Because they were the ones who cleared me to work as a teacher before I even thought about teaching at Hogwarts. They obviously believed that I had the right ethics to safely teach young wizards and witches, why do you think differently?"

"Why do I think differently, dear?" Umbridge asked laughingly, placing a pudgy hand over her heart as she giggled. "You obviously have no boundaries between your life and the lives of your students! You treat the students like your friends or equals rather than the inferior children that they are. It's your responsibility as a teacher to teach, and you cannot do that if you are acting as childish as the students we teach. Do you understand?"

Amy narrowed her eyes, nodding her head sharply. "Absolutely."

"I'm so glad you understand, dear," Umbridge concluded, smiling brightly now, patting Amy on the arm with her pudgy, ring laden hand. "Happy Christmas!" The Toad turned and began to waddle down the now deserted hall, Professor Dumbledore having left some time earlier.

Amy took a deep breath, trying to control herself, but alas, she did something stupid again.

"Umbridge," Amy started, causing the witch to stop in her tracks and look over her shoulder. "Were you born a nasty, heartless witch or did you become this way because your mother didn't love you, called you fat, and only fed you rocks and falcon eggs?" A sense of satisfaction spread through Amy, warming her as a look of hatred crossed the Toad's face. The witch gave no response, but instead turned her head and continued to waddle down the hall, leaving Amy alone once more.

"Witch," Amy muttered angrily.

…..

"Probation?" Charlie asked, watching as Amy stalked angrily around his flat. "How can you be on probation?" Amy shot him a glare, halting from her pacing in front of Charlie.

"Because she hates me, that's why!" Amy griped, throwing her hands up in the air. "She's hated me since we first met. Apparently, I don't live up to her standards on how a witch should act. Add that to the fact that she believes I 'have no boundaries' between my life and my students, oh, and that I called Fudge a freaking coward, she would put be in Azkaban if she could."

"And?" Charlie questioned slowly. Amy looked him pointedly in the eye, before her shoulders slumped and she plopped herself down onto the couch next to him, placing her head in her hands. She muttered something into her palms, as Charlie placed an arm around her, drawing her closer to him. "Amy," he began softly, rubbing her back soothingly. He leaned down, placing his head close to hers. "I didn't catch a word of that."

A muffled laugh escaped from Amy's hands. Amy lifted her head up, turning to look Charlie in the eye. Hazel met blue and Amy relaxed slightly. "What did I do to deserve you?"

Charlie stared at Amy, a curious look passing over his face. "Well," he began quietly. "First of all, you have no boundaries between your life and the lives of your students, which just shows that you are the friendliest witch I know, second, you called Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, a coward to his face and the face of his stalker, and lastly, you don't live up to the standards set by an ugly toad who dares call herself a witch fit for teaching. You set your own standards, and not only to you live up to them, but you exceed them by being the most intelligent, courageous, humorous, lovely, beautiful, wonderful-"

Amy cut him off, pressing her lips passionately against his. Charlie smiled against her lips, one of his hands winding up into her hair, pulling her closer.

She pulled away after a minute or so, a trembling smile gracing her face. "You," Amy murmured, "are too nice." She pecked his lips once more, before settling back into the couch, Charlie's arms still wrapped around her.

A comfortable silence fell over the two; the only sound their soft breathing.

Several minutes passed, Amy's fingers entwined with Charlie's as she tentatively opened her mouth. "How's," she swallowed as he looked over at her. "How's your dad?" Charlie's arms tightened ever so slightly.

"He's been better," he began slowly. "But he should be fine. He should be out of the hospital before the end of the holidays." Amy pressed her forehead comfortably against Charlie's neck.

"That's great," Amy said quietly. A moment passed between them. "So, you know, I still have to get you a Christmas present." She looked up at Charlie, biting her lip innocently, as he raised an eyebrow.

He waited a minute before shrugging. "Nah, I don't need a gift." It was Amy's turn to raise her eyebrow.

"And why's that?" She asked, a smile tugging at her lips. A grin crossed Charlie's face before he pulled her into his lap so she was facing him, and arm wrapped around her waist, keeping her close to him.

"Because I could never want anything more than what I have now," he whispered to her, before pulling her down into a sweet kiss, Amy more than happy to comply.


AN: I hope you guys enjoyed it! I tried to make it sweet/fluffy at the end.

Signing off,

WiseGirl