AN: Sorry sorry sorry for the long wait on all of my stories! I have had a bad case of writers block on everything I am writing and it has been a bit disheartening. Basically, I have just been in a writing funk. I have also been busy with school, work, coaching, practicing, and turning twenty! Thank you to anyone who is still bearing with me. Actually, if you are reading this now, you must have clicked on the link. Therefore, you probably plan on continuing on reading (unless you were just curious about what my excuse would be?). So thank you! I will just go ahead with the chapter!

I still don't own Harry Potter.


Christmas Eve arrived before Tonks knew it, or prepared for it. Between work, the Order, and sitting with Arthur, she had not had much time to prepare. She and Remus had discussed how they wanted to do Christmas, and had come to the agreement to keep it simple and as inexpensive as possible. They had gotten a tree a couple days after the full moon and decorated it together. It was small, but it seemed to make Keira happy nonetheless. They made strings of popcorn and cranberries, which quickly turned into a popcorn and cranberry fight, and used the Christmas baubles that Tonks had stashed in a closet. They had a tree, and a few presents under it. Most were for Keira, but there were small things for the Weasleys, Sirius, Harry, and Hermione. Remus had even managed to buy her a gift without her knowing. She knew that meant Sirius had probably paid for it, but she didn't ask about it. It would just bring up the inequality of their economic situation, and she never brought that up. Especially not now.

With all the gifts under the tree, the only one who didn't have anything was Remus. Anytime Tonks asked him what he wanted, he always smiled and said that her love was all he wanted.

"But I can't wrap that in a package, can I?" She cried petulantly one day before Christmas Eve.

He took a large crimson bow from a nearby box and put it on her head. "There!" He said in a self-satisfied tone, "The perfect gift." She huffed and rolled her eyes playfully, but allowed him to kiss her until Keira cried, "Eww!" and a bit longer than that to make her squirm.

Every day when Tonks came home, she was reminded of how close Christmas was getting and how miserably unprepared she was for her first Christmas married to Remus. Every afternoon it seemed that Remus had conjured some sort of new festive decor, or the kids had made them. Yesterday the flat was filled with the aroma of fresh-baked cookies (and the kitchen covered in frosting). Even Grimmauld Place was looking festive for Merlin's sake!

Maybe if she weren't so concerned with getting the perfect gift then she would be done by now. He would like a new jumper or a book, but they were so unsentimental. Remus deserved something thoughtful and meaningful, not something snatched up on the way home from work. Sirius was no help at all and she didn't want to bother Molly when she had so much else on her mind; what with Arthur in the hospital.

So here she was in Diagon Alley, determined not to leave until she had found nothing less than perfect. It wouldn't be quite so difficult, she decided, if only he would not act pleased by anything she brought home. He would probably even mean it. Flourish and Blotts? No, she had eliminated that. Madame Malkins? No, she had rejected that idea as well. Honeydukes? Could a gift be any more thoughtless?

An advert in a shop window caught her eye. LOOKING FOR A LOVELY GIFT FOR A LOVELY SOMEONE? It inquired in bright, festive gold lettering. Without much hope, she pushed her way through the door. The shop didn't look like much, just a random collection of magical bits and bobs. A bell tinkled to announce her entrance and the old shopkeeper looked up with a smile. "How can I help you, Miss?" he said, hopping down from his stool behind the counter with unexpected agility, "Are you looking for yourself or is it a gift?"

"A gift," she answered truthfully, since she had morphed before shopping to avoid being sidetracked by people who recognized her, "For my husband. It is our first Christmas together and I want something special."

The old man studied her carefully through his thick lenses. "I think I may have just the thing." He turned to a cupboard behind the counter that held trinkets and jewelry and pulled out a small box. He sat it on the table and lifted the lid. Two fob watches were nestled in a silk lining.

Tonks' heart fell a fraction. "I'm sorry sir. I was looking for something a bit more unique than a watch…"

"These are no ordinary watches, girl," the man interrupted, "These are Watchers. They do not tick in time with the passing of seconds, but in time with the beating of the heart of the one who wears its partner. It is an ideal gift for a loved one who is worried about the safety of their Auror wife."

"How do you know I am an Auror?" she asked suspiciously.

"I am not a young man," he insisted, "After all these years, I know how an Auror carries herself. These Watchers are even more special than most. They will take a message and play it only for the one it is intended for. Is that unique enough for you?"

"Why don't the hands move?" On closer inspection she could see that the watch face was painted on.

"Did you really expect them to keep time as well?"

"I will take them," she smiled, "I am sure he will love them."

Once business was settled with the shopkeeper, she left Diagon Alley in a much better mood than before. The gift was unique and it would give Remus peace of mind. Tonks thought it was an all-around success. She waved at the old man behind the shop counter one more time then disapperated back to her flat.

She walked in to find Remus and Keira working on building a fire in the grate. It appeared that Keira was insisting on doing it the muggle way, much to Remus' consternation. Finally, a flame took light on a pinecone and he stood up, dusting his hands on his trousers.

"Happy Christmas Eve, Dora," he greeted with a kiss on her nose.

"Happy Christmas Remus," she returned, pulling him into a close embrace, "And Happy Christmas to you, too, Keira." She let go of Remus to pick the little girl up in her arms and twirl her around a bit until they both fell onto the sofa laughing.

"I'm going to make hot chocolate, would you to like any?" Remus called, ignoring their antics, or at least trying (and failing) to pretend to.

"Yes, please," they chorused together, which only caused them to giggle even more.

A few minutes later Remus joined them with three mugs of hot cocoa. He sat between them and urged Keira to tell Tonks all about their day of making mince pies for Santa Clause.

"Moony," Keira asked, "Since magic is real, does that mean Santa Clause is real, too?"

Tonks and Remus locked eyes briefly while Keira wasn't looking. Tonks bobbed her head quickly and Remus gave a jerk of the head in understanding.

"Of course he is real! Why would you ask such a thing?"

Keira shrugged. "Most of the kids at my old school said he wasn't real, but they didn't think magic was real either. How does he deliver all the gifts in time?"

"He has a very special sleigh." Tonks interjected, "It is enchanted by elf magic. Remus and I can't do the spell; not even Dumbledore can. Only a very powerful elf can."

"Are Santa's elves like Kreacher?" she asked suspiciously.

"I doubt very much there is another elf on this earth quite like Kreacher." Tonks laughed.

"His elves are different than house elves. They are free, for one," Remys assured her, not wanting her to think her toys were built by slave labor, "Their ears aren't quite as large, because they would get too cold at the north pole, and they wear little fur lined suits against the cold. They are just as kind and happy as the muggle stories say."

"I am glad," Keira said, "Does Santa share his cookies and mince pies with them?"

"Of course! Even Santa can't eat that many sweets in one night!" Tonks giggled.

"How old is he?"

Remus looked at Tonks and winked. "Well, I'm not sure about that; what do you think, Dora?"

"You know, I bet he is even older than Dumbledore."

"Undoubtedly," Remus agreed.

"I knew it!" Keira gasped, "Can I meet him?"

Remus' eyes widened slightly, but Tonks cut in smoothly. "I am afraid it is the same for wizarding children as it is for muggles. Santa will not come if you are awake, so off to bed with you if you want any presents. It is getting late."

She was quiet for a moment, and Tonks and Remus shared a worried glance. "Will Santa know where to find me?" she asked quietly, "Will he come at all now that I'm… different?"

Tears prickled at the back of Tonks' eyes but she did not let them fall. Remus drew Keira on to his lap and Tonks scooted closer and took her hand. "You know," she said, "I don't know Santa Clause personally, but has always seemed like a very clever sort. He keeps a good eye on things. I don't think a change of address is going to fool him in the least. And he is as kind and wise as he is clever. He isn't as small-minded as all those people who judge people based on a stigma. He sees who we truly are."

"Is that true, Moony?" she asked, "Will Santa come for werewolves?"

"He always come for me," he assured her.

Keira broke into a wide grin. She grabbed them by the hand and dragged them to her bedroom. She crawled into bed and they tucked her in as usual. "Do you want a story tonight, or are you in too much of a hurry to go to sleep?"

Keira pulled a book from under her pillow and handed it to Remus. "The Night Before Christmas?"

Keira nodded. "Mummy and Daddy used to read it to me every Christmas Eve. Could you read it tonight?"

Tonks' heart clenched at the thought of another couple just wishing for their daughter to come home for Christmas. There was one more stocking on her mantle this Christmas, but she knew it was only at the expense of another mantle that was a bit more barren than usual. She knew Keira must miss her family and her home, even if she didn't say so, either by choice or because the spell did not allow her to make such complaints.

"Of course I will read it," Remus assured her. He opened the book and began to read, even though he could probably recite it by heart. By the time he reached the end, Keira's eyes were drooping.

"If there are any other things you want to do tomorrow that you usually do with your Mum and Dad, please remember you can tell us, tomorrow or any day. What does your Mum usually make for Christmas breakfast?"

"Cinnamon rolls," she mumbled sleepily, "With apples and cranberries."

Tonks smiled and kissed her on the head. "Remus and I will see what we can do."

Together they left the room and went to their own to change into pajamas before sitting in front of the now dying fire. Tonks sat in Remus' lap as they sipped glasses of mulled wine (sans cranberries so they would be left for the morning) and watched the glowing embers. Remus stroked his thumb along the blush the hot, sweet wine had brought to her cheeks. He glanced up meaningfully at the mistletoe that was now growing from the ceiling above their heads. Slowly, their lips met in a kiss that tasted of cinnamon and nutmeg.

The clock struck midnight and the kiss was broken. Tonks sighed deeply, but then giggled at the disappointment in his eyes. "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lupin," she whispered.

"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Lupin," he returned with a smile.

"Come on now," she said, taking him by the hand, "Let's go play Santa's elves now that Keira is asleep. After we are done, I have an idea for an early Christmas present…"

"For me or for you?" he laughed.

"A little bit of both, I think," she said with a wink, sauntering off for the stocking stuffers they had hidden in their closet a week or so before. Remus was not far behind her.


It is a bit more difficult to write Christmas-y stories in February than I would have thought. Please review! It really does help me feel better about my writing and makes it easier to get past the bumps in the road :)