A/N - Hi everyone! This chapter is a bit shorter and is pretty much just fluff, not alot of advancing the plot here, but that's how Christmas should be, shouldn't it? ;) I think there are 4 more chapters after this one, so this story will be finished in two weeks! I can't believe it and I need to get writing on the sequel. Thanks for all the reviews and if anyone saw all the spam after the last chapter, sorry about that. Someone reviewed every chapter except one with spam. Glad that FF removed all of them for me. See you next week!

Chapter 29

Happy Christmas

19 December 1993

Christmas approached much more quickly that Catherine expected and soon it was time to pick Ellie up at King's Cross. Her daughter came off the train smiling and laughing, her arm linked through Tess'. Catherine smiled thinking of Myra. She looked around for her friend and spotted her hurrying through the barrier, three younger children in tow. Catherine had left Rory and Miranda at home, wanting some time alone with her eldest. Catherine waved as Myra looked up and made her way towards the train.

"Mum!" Ellie called, hurrying toward her mother and hugging her.

"Hey El," Catherine replied, wrapping her arms around the girl. "Tess."

"Hi Mrs. Powell," Tess said brightly. Catherine didn't bother to correct her on the Mrs.

"Where are your brother and Ethan?" Myra asked Tess as she approached Catherine and the girls.

"They're talking to some girls," Tess put her hand over her mouth and giggled and Ellie rolled her eyes. Catherine chuckled and turned to Myra who looked none too pleased with this turn of events.

"Girls?" Owen said, making a face. "Ewww."

"Ethan's got a girlfriend, Ethan's got a girlfriend," the twins began to chant.

"Girls, hush," Myra admonished, then turned as her son and Will stepped off the train, followed by two girls. The four formed a group as they walked down the platform. "Oh, I am so not ready for this," Myra groaned and shook her head. Catherine put an arm around her friend and smirked.

"Better you than me," Catherine said, in mock sympathy.

"Just you wait, Catherine Powell," Myra said dryly. "Your day will come."

The group of children made their way towards Catherine and Myra, stopping a few feet away. Ethan glanced at his mother from the corner of his eye before turning back to the girl he had been talking to. She smiled at him and he colored a bit and Catherine was reminded very much of Ian, Ethan's father. The girls said their good-byes and moved away as Ethan and Will approached his mother.

"Hi, Mum," he said, giving her a hug.

"Who's that girl Ethan?" Anna asked, tugging on his trouser leg.

"Do you looooove her?" Alexis continued and then they both began to giggle.

"Shut it, you," Ethan growled and then looked at his mother pleadingly.

"Girls, that's enough teasing your brother," Myra admonished. The girls looked up innocently at their mother, then continued to laugh behind their hands when she turned back to Catherine. Her friend was going to have her hands very full with those two in a few years. "You're coming on New Year's Eve, yes?" Myra's voice brought her out of her musings.

"Of course," Catherine replied smiling.

"And have you convinced Remus?" Myra continued.

"Yes, finally," Catherine said smiling. It had taken quite a bit of cajoling on her part, but Remus had finally agreed to accompany her to the party.

"Wonderful, we'll see you then. Have a happy Christmas," Myra said, giving Catherine a hug.

"You too," Catherine replied.

"Come on you lot," Myra said to her children. Ethan made his goodbyes to Will, Tess and Ellie, then followed his mother and siblings back through the barrier. Catherine was just about to turn to ask Will and Tess if their parents were coming when she heard someone calling their names.

"Will! Tess!" The two looked up and waved to a woman who had just come through the barrier to the platform.

"Hello, Mum," they replied in unison as the woman approached. Catherine turned to see a face that she recognized. The woman looked quizzically at her for a moment, then smiled in recognition.

"Catherine?" the woman said and Catherine smiled. Anastasia Bellard had been in Maureen MacKenzie's year at Hogwarts.

"Anastasia," Catherine said. "How nice to see you again."

"When Tess told me all about her new friend Ellie Powell, I just never connected her with you," Anastasia said and Catherine knew that the children having her maiden name was the reason.

"Yes, well, it seems to confuse quite a few people," Catherine said lightly, not intending to get into any explanations on the train platform.

"Mum, can Ellie come over during the holidays?" Tess asked her mother.

"Oh, I'm sure we can work something out," Anastasia said, grinning at her daughter and then looked expectantly at Catherine.

"Of course," Catherine agreed. "Just send an owl or floo. You've got our floo address?" Tess nodded. "Well, we'd better be going Ellie. Wonderful to see you Anastasia."

"And you," Anastasia replied and Tess and Ellie made their goodbyes.

When they got to the car outside the station, Catherine could tell that something was on Ellie's mind.

"What is it sweetheart?" she asked as they got into the car. Ellie bit her lip.

"It's just," she paused, looking away from Catherine. "Do you think that I should use Cooper as my last name?" Catherine didn't say anything for a moment and her hands tightened on the steering wheel.

"Do you want to?" she asked, forcing her voice to remain steady. Ellie shrugged

"It's just, some of the kids that I go to school with, their parents knew you and well, I think they think it's weird that I don't have a different last name," Ellie said quietly.

"Does that bother you?" Catherine asked.

"Not really," her daughter admitted. "But doesn't it bother you?" She looked at her mother hesitantly.

"Sweetheart, if you want to change your name back to Cooper, then we can talk about that," Catherine said gently. "But if you think you should just because you're worried about me, then don't. It doesn't matter to me what people think and it's none of their business anyway. Has someone said something to you?"

"Well, no, but Tess called you Mrs. Powell and her mum seemed awfully confused about my name," Ellie said.

"It doesn't matter to me if your friends call me 'Mrs.'" Catherine assured the girl. "As for Tess' mother, well, if she's anything like she was at school, she did always like to have her nose in everyone else's business." Ellie giggled.

"It's up to you Ellie," Catherine continued. "If you really want to go back to Cooper then that's your choice." She pulled out into traffic as Ellie sat in silence for a few moments.

"No, Mum," Ellie finally said. "I like being Ellie Powell a lot better than I liked being Eleanor Cooper." Catherine chuckled and patted her daughter's knee. Ellie smiled at her and covered Catherine's hand with her own, giving it a squeeze. Unexpected tears gathered at the back of Catherine's eyes. She really was very lucky.


The next few days flew by and even though Catherine had tried to convince him, Remus refused to come on Christmas Eve and stay the night.

"Christmas is for families," Remus had said when he had refused Catherine's invitation for the third time.

"You are family, Remus," Catherine had insisted, but Remus had just chuckled and shook his head.

"Your children should be with you on Christmas morning when they open their gifts," he replied. Catherine huffed at him.

"Fine, but at least say you'll come to Christmas dinner," she persisted. "You know what I've gotten Rory for Christmas and there's no way I'm taking him up on it."

"All right," he agreed with a grin. It wasn't until after Catherine had ended that call that she realized that Remus might not have the money for gifts and that was why he had refused to come. Not that she expected him to bring gifts, but knowing Remus, he wouldn't have been able to enjoy himself if he hadn't. Sighing, she looked at the gift for him wrapped under the tree and wondered if she shouldn't give it to him. She didn't want him to feel uncomfortable.

Still, she thought, the cloak he wore was much too threadbare and patched and this one she had made herself, so it hadn't cost her near what it would have, had she purchased it in the store. And Professor Flitwick had put the warming charms and shield charms on it for her one day when she'd been in his office for a bit of help with some of her spells. Remus would just have to deal with it, she thought with a smirk.


25 December 1993

Catherine was right, of course. When Remus opened the gift, he protested until she explained that she had made the cloak herself. After she'd told him about the charms that were on it, he shook his head at her.

"You shouldn't have done this," he said.

"And why not?" she asked.

"I haven't brought, that is, I can't," he stammered and his face reddened.

"Remus Lupin, you have done more for me in these last few months than anyone has in years," she said, hands on her hips. "Helping us at Diagon Alley, teaching Rory about Quidditch, the wards, letting Ellie use your office as her own personal telephone box," she waved a hand towards her children who were near the Christmas tree in the lounge. "You've given me plenty of gifts already."

"The only gift I need is your friendship," he insisted.

"Well that won't keep you warm in the middle of a snowstorm, so just stop being ridiculous and say thank you," Catherine huffed.

"Thank you," he said, smirking at her. Then he pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek. "But I meant it about the friendship," he said once he'd released her.

"I know that," she said, putting a hand to his cheek. "And you know that I feel the same." He nodded and smiled and then Rory burst into the room.

"Remus wait until you see what Mum bought me for Christmas!" the boy exclaimed, nearly jumping up and down in his excitement.

"Let's see it then," Remus said, smile on his face. Rory rushed from the room, his feet heard pounding up the stairs to his room and then almost immediately pounding back down again. When he came round the corner, he held a gleaming new broom in his hand.

"It's brilliant!" Rory said, his grin dominating the entire bottom half of his face.

"Yes, I must say that it is," Remus agreed, taking the proffered broom and inspecting it closely.

"Mum said that maybe you might take me out for a fly some time?" Rory said, hopeful look on his face.

"Well, lucky for you, I just happen to have my broom right here in my pocket," Remus replied, pulling his shrunken broom from his trouser pocket. He pulled out his wand as well and tapped the broom with it, which grew back to full-size in an instant.

"What do you say Catherine?" Remus asked. "Do we have time for a quick spin before dinner?" Catherine looked at Rory who had a pleading look on his face.

"Please Mum?" the boy begged.

"Oh all right," she said, leaning over and ruffling his hair. "Just a quick one mind and be sure the muggles don't see you."

"Yes!" Rory shouted and ran to the front hall to get his shoes. Catherine chuckled, shaking her head.

"What are you going to do about not being seen?" she asked, turning to Remus. "You won't be able to see him if you use a disillusionment charm."

"Notice-me-not charms," Remus said. "I'll take him down to the park and cast a few around it. It's rather cold out and with it being Christmas, I don't think the park will be too crowded." He smirked at her. Rory came back into the room, shoes and coat on. Remus pulled on his new cloak and Catherine cast a warming charm on Rory after insisting that he put on a hat and gloves.

The two left and Catherine helped her mother finish the dinner preparations while the boys flew in the park. Ellie seemed to take after Catherine and had no real interest in being on a broom. She had told Catherine that she didn't enjoy flying class all that much and was currently engrossed in the newest wizarding mystery novel Tess had sent her for Christmas. Miranda showed a bit more interest in Rory's broom, but was just as happy to play with her new magical tea set that Catherine had gotten her.

Remus and Rory returned about an hour later, red-cheeked and laughing. Catherine smiled at the admiration that was in Rory's eyes as he looked at Remus and was glad that her son finally had a man to look up to. As Jane called them all to dinner, Catherine kissed Remus' cheek and gave his hand a squeeze, silently thanking whoever had seen fit to bring him back into her life.


31 December 1993

Catherine stood in her bathroom, putting the finishing touches on her make-up when the doorbell rang. She heard running footsteps and then a shouted, "Mr. Remus!" from Miranda. Catherine smiled as she imagined the scene at the door. No matter how many times he told her she didn't have to, Miranda still insisted on calling Remus, Mr. Remus. It seemed to be her own special name for him. Catherine chuckled as she slipped her lipstick into her handbag. She took one last look at herself in the mirror and then walked downstairs.

Remus sat on the couch between Rory and Miranda who were both talking to him at the same time. He looked from one to the other, as if watching a tennis match, but he seemed to be keeping up with both conversations. Catherine shook her head in amusement.

"All right you two, let Remus alone," she said from behind them. Remus turned and looked back at her, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of her in her dress robes. She held her arms out and spun in a slow circle. "Do you approve?" she asked, smirking at him.

"Oh, um, yes, yes of course," he stammered out and Catherine began to laugh. He stood and glared at her, then chuckled himself at his reaction.

"You look very nice yourself," she remarked.

"Haven't worn these since James and Lily's wedding," he said, then looked at her, guilt on his face. She just shook her head and motioned him from the room.

"Remus, you don't have to be afraid to mention them or Sirius," she insisted. "I'm not going to fall apart."

"You're sure," he said, looking at her in concern.

"I'm fine," she insisted. "Let's just have a good time tonight, all right?" He nodded and they stepped back into the lounge so she could say good-bye to the children. Rory and Miranda had their own hugs for Remus, while Ellie just gave him a small smile. They stepped to the floo after saying good-bye to her mother and Catherine went first, calling out the name of Myra and Ian's.

She stepped rather unceremoniously from the floo, and Ian, who was waiting on the other end, took her hand to steady her. They moved away from the fireplace a bit, as it blazed green once more and Remus stepped out.

"Remus," Ian said, shaking the other man's hand. "Good to see you again."

"Likewise," Remus replied with a smile.

"Food and drinks are all set up in the dining room," he continued. "Myra and Sharon are in the kitchen and David is around here somewhere. No one else is here yet."

"Thanks, Ian," Catherine said, then turned to Remus. "Shall we get a drink?"

"Certainly," he replied and they both nodded to Ian, then moved into the dining room. David was there, loading up a plate with food. He looked up when they entered, smiling and greeting them both.

"Did you have a nice Christmas?" he asked Catherine.

"Yes, I did," she replied, smiling at him. David turned to Remus.

"Hello, Remus, how are you?" he asked as the two shook hands.

"Fine, thank you," Remus said.

"I heard you're teaching up at Hogwarts this year," David continued. "Enjoying it?"

"Very much so," Remus replied smiling.

"Let me get the two of you a drink," David said. "I've been dubbed barman for the moment, while Ian mans the floo." They both accepted glasses of wine and then chatted for a few more minutes. They were interrupted by a squeal and Catherine turned to see Elena hurtling at her at a high rate of speed. Remus managed to pluck the wine glass from her hand before Elena impacted with her. Catherine grunted, just managing to stay on her feet as the other woman grabbed her and hugged her, then laughed as she saw Sean rolling his eyes over Elena's shoulder.

"Merlin, love, let her breathe," he said, coming and putting a hand on Elena's back. Elena let go of Catherine and slapped her husband playfully on the chest.

"I haven't seen her for fifteen years, Sean," she said.

"That doesn't mean you have to knock her on her bum the moment you do," Sean replied and Elena shook her head at him and everyone else in the room laughed. He leaned forward and kissed Catherine on the cheek.

"I'm so glad you're here," Catherine said to Elena, as Sean greeted the other men in the room. Elena accepted a glass of wine from Sean, then pulled on Catherine's arm.

"Come on, I hear the women are in the kitchen, as usual," she mock-glared at Sean and he raised his eyebrows suggestively at her. Catherine laughed, then glanced back at Remus who gave her a nod. She let herself be dragged to the kitchen by Elena.

"Oh good, you're here," Myra said as they came into the room. She hugged them both and Sharon rose as well, repeating the gesture.

"How's that little girl of yours?" Catherine asked and Sharon smiled.

"Pretty close to perfect," she said of her six-week old daughter, Lauren. Catherine had visited shortly after the baby's birth, but the two had only talked by owl since. "She's so much calmer than Jack was."

"You're probably calmer too," Catherine remarked and Sharon looked at her curiously. "I mean, I was much less nervous when Rory came along than when Ellie was born."

"True," Sharon said with a smile. Soon the four were chatting away about babies and children.


"Excuse me," Catherine heard a voice say after a few minutes. She turned to see Sean and Remus standing in the doorway. "I realize that the kitchen is a very fascinating place and all," Sean said. He winked at Elena who colored slightly. Catherine made a mental note to find out that story later. "But we gentlemen could use some female companionship out here."

"And more guests have arrived," Remus finished.

"Oh, all right," Myra grumbled playfully. "We're coming." Catherine stood and followed Remus back into the dining room. There were a few other couples there now, neighbors, friends of Ian's from school. Catherine recognized a few and was introduced to those she didn't. She enjoyed herself very much and saw that Remus did as well, the two of them alternately chatting together or splitting up and talking separately.

At one point, the two of them were standing together and Catherine felt Remus stiffen as a man approached.

"Ah, Mr. Lupin," the man said and Remus nodded tersely. "And who might this beautiful lady be?" Catherine could feel the tension in Remus' body as he turned toward her, but his face was impassive.

"Catherine Powell," he said, gesturing to the man in front of him. "Octavius Bulstrode." Mr. Bulstrode smiled at her as she extended her hand, then leaned forward and kissed the back of it. It took everything Catherine had not to wipe it off on her robes afterward.

"A pleasure," he said and Catherine nodded. Then he turned to Remus. "So, Mr. Lupin, terrible business about Sirius Black's escape, terrible business." He shook his head. Catherine reached down and grasped Remus' hand, squeezing it slightly. She was appalled at Mr. Bulstrode's audacity. Many people at the party knew that Remus and Sirius had been friends, but they had all, so far anyway, had the good sense not to bring the subject up to him.

"Yes, sir, it is," Remus said tightly. "I'm sure the Ministry will have him back in custody soon."

"Oh, yes, of course," Octavius agreed. "Especially now with the dementors on the case." Catherine forced herself not to shiver. "Still, it seems awfully strange that they haven't been able to find him yet." He took a sip of his drink.

"I suppose," Remus said warily. Catherine's eyes narrowed, wondering just where this was going.

"My Millicent told me what happened on Halloween up at the school," Octavius continued. "You're teaching there this year I hear?"

"Yes, I am," Remus said, his hand tightening around Catherine's.

"Seems a bit of a coincidence, don't you think?" Octavius said, looking pointedly at Remus.

"I don't know what you mean," Remus replied, his mouth in a thin line. Catherine glanced around the room, spotting Ian and David talking a few feet away. She gave them a look and Ian raised his eyebrows, then saw who she and Remus were talking to. He and David began to walk towards the group.

"Well, the two of you were close friends were you not?" Octavius asked. "And just a few short weeks after you begin teaching there, Black somehow finds his way into the castle?" He took another sip of his drink.

"Are you implying that I helped him escape as well?" Remus demanded angrily and Octavius shrugged, just as Ian and David reached them. Ian stood next to Octavius as David stepped to Remus' other side.

"All right gents?" Ian asked, putting a hand on Octavius' shoulder.

"Of course, Ian, of course," Octavius replied, smiling widely and clapping the younger man on the back. "Wonderful party." He turned back to Remus and Catherine. "Ms. Powell, such a pleasure to have met you. I do hope to see you again." He gave her a slight bow. "Mr. Lupin," he said, smirk on his face, then turned and walked away.

"Sorry about that mate," Ian said to Remus after Octavius was out of earshot. "He's a wanker, but they live nearby and Myra felt like she had to invite them."

"It's all right, Ian," Remus replied, but Catherine could tell that the conversation had affected him and he was barely controlling his emotions.

"Come on, Remus, let's go and get some air," Catherine said tugging on his hand and Remus allowed himself to be pulled outside. When they had reached the garden, Remus began to pace, muttering under his breath. Catherine couldn't make out any of the words, but she didn't have a hard time guessing what he was saying. He finally stopped pacing and turned to her.

"Maybe I should just go," he said sighing.

"You were enjoying yourself before that idiot came along weren't you?" Catherine asked.

"Yes," Remus admitted.

"Then don't let him ruin the rest of your night," she replied, stepping closer to him and putting a hand on his arm. He sighed heavily and put his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. They stood in silence for a few moments and then Remus pulled back from her. He smiled and kissed her forehead.

"You're right," he said. "Besides, if I left, who would you have to kiss at midnight?" He grinned wickedly and she punched his arm playfully.

"Watch it Lupin," she warned. "I've been told I have an extremely wicked right hook." He held his hands up in surrender and they both laughed. Catherine slipped an arm through his and they went back into the house.


Catherine stuck close to Remus' side for the rest of the evening, determined that he not be subjected to such ridiculous questions by anyone else. Mr. Bulstrode tried to catch her eye a few times from across the room, but she made it a point to ignore him each time. He and his wife left not long after.

Just before midnight, Ian directed them all outside where he put on a very impressive fireworks display. As the countdown to midnight began, Catherine leaned into Remus and smiled. He put an arm around her kissed the top of her head. When someone yelled, "Happy New Year", Remus leaned down and kissed her quickly on the lips. She hugged him and they stood watching until the remaining fireworks had disappeared from the sky.

Shortly afterward, the party began to break up and Catherine found herself in the kitchen helping Myra, Sharon and Elena put away food and wash dishes. The men were in the dining room reordering the furniture and cleaning up the bar. The four women were laughing loudly, Catherine having finally got the story out of Elena of all of Sean's references to the kitchen. It seemed the previous week they had gotten rather, "frisky", as she put it, and had somehow found themselves on the kitchen table.

"So," Myra said, once they had all finally composed themselves and she had set the dishes to washing and drying. "What's going on with you and Remus Lupin?" She turned and crossed her arms, looking at Catherine expectantly. Elena mirrored her pose and Sharon looked up from the table where she had been putting leftover food into smaller containers.

"We're friends," Catherine said firmly.

"Friends," Myra repeated. "That's all?"

"Yes, Myra, that's all," Catherine replied.

"Pretty chummy aren't you?" Elena chimed in.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Catherine asked.

"He sure touches you an awful lot for just being your friend," Elena said shrugging.

"Maybe they're friends with benefits," Sharon said. Catherine turned and looked at her incredulously as Myra and Elena burst out laughing.

"Honestly, don't the three of you have anything better to do than analyze my, very non-existent I assure you, love life?" Catherine demanded and they all shook their heads.

"We're all old married women, Catherine. Elena's adventures in the kitchen notwithstanding," Myra said dryly, "We have to live vicariously through you."

"Well, no matter what you think, Remus and I are just friends," Catherine said, turning to look at Sharon. "Without benefits."

"Whatever you say," Sharon said shrugging one shoulder and Myra and Elena began to laugh again.

"Look you three, there's nothing going on between the two of us," Catherine insisted. "I don't, I'm not, I just can't." She sighed and sat down at the table, putting her head in her hands, the air in the room immediately becoming somber. Myra moved to her side and put a hand on her back.

"I'm sorry Catherine, we were just teasing," she said quietly and Catherine looked up at her.

"I know, I'm not upset about that," she gave Myra a pointed look and Myra nodded. Catherine hated hiding things from her friends, but this was not the time or place to get into a discussion about Sirius. Catherine looked to the other two women in the room. "I just don't want a relationship right now. I'm busy with studying and trying to decide what to do with my life. I finally feel like I can stand on my own two feet after everything that Daniel did and all I need right now are friends, nothing else."

"I think you've been standing on your own two feet for quite some time," Sharon said quietly, grasping Catherine's hand. Catherine smiled at her and Elena moved forward to pat her shoulder when the men walked into the kitchen. Seeing the looks on the women's faces, they all looked at each other before moving to stand next to their significant others. Remus put a hand on Catherine's back as Myra moved into Ian's embrace.

"Everything all right?" Remus asked quietly and Catherine nodded, not trusting herself to speak at the moment. He looked at her in concern, but said nothing as she mentally gathered herself.

"All cleaned up out there then?" she finally asked.

"Yes, all clean and back to order," David said.

"Until the children get home tomorrow and mess it all up again," Myra returned, rolling her eyes. They all laughed and the tension was gone from the room.

"Speaking of children," Sharon said, looking to David. He nodded and the two made their good-byes to everyone, then stepped into the garden to apparate home.

"I'll think we'll take the floo," Elena said. "It's quite a walk from the apparition point to your parent's house," she said to Sean and he nodded. Greetings were exchanged once again before the couple disappeared into the fireplace.

"Well I guess that just leaves us," Remus said. "Floo or apparate?" After the previous conversation with her friends, Catherine decided the less fuel for the fire the better. Besides, side-along always reminded her of Sirius and she realized that those memories were much closer to the surface than she liked.

"Floo," she answered and Remus nodded, seeming to understand. She hugged Ian and Myra, promising the latter that they would talk soon and then followed Remus through the floo. He was there to catch her as she came through, she still hadn't mastered the graceful exit and she laughed a bit as he steadied her.

"Sure you're all right?" he asked once she had shed her cloak.

"Yes," she responded. "Are you?"

"I will be," he said. "I shouldn't be surprised, you know. It's what a lot of people think, especially since I'm teaching at Hogwarts now."

"Still doesn't mean they should accuse you like that," she said angrily.

"I've had run-ins with Bulstrode before," Remus said waving a hand. "He's a wanker like Ian said." Catherine giggled and Remus smiled at her, then sobered. "I'm going to try and teach Harry to conjure a Patronus when we get back to school," he said.

"Sorry?" Catherine replied to the abrupt change in topic.

"A Patronus," Remus replied. "Harry was very upset that they lost the Quidditch match because he fell from his broom, so he's asked me to help him. He really wants to win the cup this year." Remus shook his head smiling.

"Honestly that boy is more worried about that fact that he lost than that he almost fell to his death," she said exasperatedly.

"Sounds like a couple of Marauders I knew," Remus said wistfully. She nodded and then thought of Ellie.

"Do you think Ellie?" Catherine let the question hang in the air.

"Ellie is a very talented witch, but she's much too young to be able to conjure a Patronus," Remus said apologetically. "I actually have strong doubts that Harry will even be able to do it, but he's insisted, so we'll try."

"What about me?" Catherine asked and Remus gave her an appraising look.

"Hmm, well, I suppose I might be able to help you muddle through something," he said smirking and she rolled her eyes at him. "We'll talk after the moon, all right?"

"All right," she agreed.

"Well, I'd better let you get to bed," he said and Catherine walked him to the door.

"Thanks for coming with me," she said.

"Thanks for asking," he replied. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

"Happy New Year," she said.

"Happy New Year, Catherine," he answered and then turned and walked away into the night.