"Ain't nobody hurt you like I hurt you, But ain't nobody need you like I do. I know that there's others that deserve you, but my darling, I am still in love with you." - Ed Sheeran (Happier)


December 23rd, 1996

A—

"I think this one for Dad," Leo pointed to a small, silver cauldron on the shelf in the shop, and Aurora came over to examine it.

"No," She said. "He has one of those. Although…" She said thoughtfully, glancing down at her younger brother, smirking. "I think after he had to start brewing for Professor Lupin-"

"-Remus," Leo said, having never had him as a teacher.

"-the one he had has been wearing down."

"Because you aren't supposed to use a silver cauldron that frequently."

"It gets too mailable," Aurora agreed, nodding. "So, we get him this, and then head over to Florish and Blotts, get mum that charms book, and we're good."

"Agreed." Leo said, allowing Aurora to retrieve the slightly weighty cauldron. He wandered along the wall toward the register, passing books when he paused and then backed up. A moment later, he snickered. "Have you gotten that bloke you're seeing a gift yet?" He asked.

"Umm, why?" Aurora asked.

Leo slipped Grass, Bugs, and Water, a child's introduction to potions and imaginary play from the shelf. "I heard that this was about his skill level."

She rolled her eyes. "Neville's not even in Potion's this year." She said, closing the distance between them and plucking the book they each had as children from her younger brother's hands. She slid it back on the shelf. "And before you ask, yes, I got him a gift. A nice book on the varying techniques used in Herbology around the world."

It was, admittedly, much more difficult than she made it sound to find Neville something befitting a Christmas present. With Fred it had been a bit easier. She'd asked her muggle grandmother to send her prank candy, which she'd mixed in with some regular muggle candy. He hadn't really been able to get around to it until after his father was released from St Mungo's but he loved it. She was fairly certain a few of the simpler candies in their shop was inspired by it, if not outright muggle in and of itself.

The siblings made their purchase, then headed across the street. They were in and out of the shop relatively quickly, having been frequent patrons of the book shop since their youth, and stepped back outside.

"So," Aurora said, looking at the boarded-up shops that dotted most of the alley, "where shall we go now? I believe mum and dad aren't expecting us to floo back for another thirty minutes or so."

Leo smirked. "I wouldn't mind seeing the how the dunderheads are doing with the shop."

She sighed but plastered on a grin anyway. "Alright." She agreed, putting her arm around his shoulder and leading him down the alley.

It was still fairly magical, all things considered. Diagon Alley at Christmas time was nearly as impressive as many of the muggle shops just on the other side of the barrier. With the snow falling, the enchanted fairy lights that donned the awnings of the shops, some with garland, some with ribbon, gave a festive feeling that very nearly brought out the Christmas cheer in the pair of Snape children who were otherwise neutral.

And the Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes was among the decked out, complete with the Fred on the exterior, as well as his bunny, donning Santa hats. From a distance, they could see how busy the inside was.

"I would say the dunderheads are doing well," She said, gesturing to the shop with the hand holding the cauldron containing the book.

"Yes, but I still want to go see them." Leo countered.

"And you will, tomorrow at Harry and Sirius'." She retorted.

"Rory, it's not the same." He protested, and she frowned as he stomped his foot a bit. "There I'll be your firstie kid brother."

"And in there you're what, exactly?"

"A friend. Former employee."

"And I go in there, do you know what that makes me?" She asked.

He pinned her with a bored look. "You have that numpty for a boyfriend now. Get over it." And then he tromped off toward the store, having stunned Aurora into stillness for a moment.

Get over it? Get over it! What does he know, she was over Fred, completely and totally. And he was right, she did have Neville. She liked Neville, and it was going pretty good.

Squaring her shoulders, she marched toward the joke shop.

Aurora was stopped short by the snow falling gently inside, though the temperature was still warm. She thought for a moment that, if Santa Claus was real, the twins' shop could have passed for the factory, the way so much of the inside was decorated and had the feel of the holidays. There was even a section geared toward holiday themed pranks.

"Rory!" Leo shouted, and Aurora turned to see him standing near the register with George. She went over, dodging a group of rambunctious young wizards as she did. "Isn't it awesome?" He asked as she got closer.

"I have to say, I wasn't expecting this at all." She commented.

"Well, Fred and I popped into a couple toy shops in muggle London not long before the holidays really started, and we found that they really got into it over there. Thought we'd try something similar here, changing some colors, adding details. Been a hit, really."

"Oi! What is your sorry self doing about here, eh?" Fred's voice said behind her, and Aurora turned to see he wasn't talking to her at all. He also maneuvered his way through the crowd to join them, and glared at her brother, hands on his hips. "Here you are, swanning back in here during one of the busiest times we've had since school started, and you aren't even back to brew!"

"You could have owled me a list." Leo countered. "I probably could have even brewed during class, if I asked my father politely enough."

"Probably not best idea to have you brewing contraband, mini-Snape." George retorted.

"Regardless." Leo shrugged.

There was a slightly awkward pause in conversation that seemed to allow the bustle of the store to penetrate, and it suddenly occurred to Aurora that the twins weren't even going to help out. She darted a peek at the registers, finding the three they had set up entirely manned, a line forming at each one.

She felt eyes on her, and she peeked up to find Fred trying really hard not to look at her and utterly failing.

"We need to be heading home." She said suddenly. "Our parents are expecting us soon."

She ignored the dramatic eye roll Leo gave, and the chuckle George let out that said he'd seen said dramatic gesture, as Fred turned quickly to face her dead on.

"We'll walk you to the Leaky Cauldron." He said. "Make sure you two get to the floos all safe and such. Was gonna grab some lunch anyway, weren't we Feorge?"

"Sure were, Gred." George replied without hesitation, leading Leo out the door with his arm around the young boy's shoulder.

Fred held his hands behind his back, gesturing for Aurora to lead on with a tilt of his head, and she preceded him toward the exit.

"And what about you?" Fred said as they stepped outside. Aurora peeked at him over her shoulder and discovered that he was a few feet away. "Leo's all set to come back and work for us. You gonna join him?"

"I don't intend to be a Hogwarts drop out." She countered, allowing a smirk to play on her lips. "And I can tell you know that I can think of much better ways to spend my summers."

"Ah, yes, I suppose you would have Neville to entertain you." He said as he came up to walk beside her, still maintain a healthy distance.

Aurora frowned, glancing ahead as Leo and George laughed at something, but then turned back to Fred. "Neville has nothing to do with it." She said, though there was a small part of her that wondered if he would even be able to spend any of his time away from Hogwarts with her.

It was through a quick letter that she learned his Grandmother had allowed the visit, but only just, and only for three hours. She took what she would get, but it did make her wonder if his Grandmother would ever allow him a bit more freedom.

"Oh?" Fred asked, voice hitching higher.

"Of course not," She replied. "Since starting Hogwarts I haven't properly seen him outside of school. If I relied on others for amusement, then I wouldn't have survived prior to attending school. Can't exactly invite your muggle friends to your house when your entire family is magical and practicing magic. And with regards to money, I'm not terribly worried. I'll gladly earn my keep, as it were, helping dad brew over the Hols. Might not be the galleons Leo was bringing in, but it suits."

Fred nodded, and Aurora turned away so she wouldn't stare.

They were half way to the leaky when he asked, "How's bein' beater?"

"It's good." She replied. "I get to fly, and I get to hit things. We destroyed Hufflepuff our first match, they traded off with Slytherin for first go. We're supposed to be facing Ravenclaw shortly after the Hols. Bit glad Ollie isn't my captain, don't imagine it would have been as fun."

"Oh yes, Ollie." Fred grinned, and George stopped in his tracks to turn around. "You knew that, didn't ya? Good ol' Oliver Wood is actually Rory and Leo's Uncle."

"Oh sorts." Leo shrugged.

"Yeah, remember that bit." George replied, smiling. "He going to be at this big ol' gathering tomorrow night, or are we going to have to suffer through Gin's forlorn-ness?"

Aurora rolled her eyes. "No, not that I know of."

"Don't like that he's dating her." George said thoughtfully.

"Why not?" Aurora asked.

"Always thought he was on the other team, if you know what I'm saying."

"And we don't want her to be a beard." Fred added.

"Fair enough," Aurora nodded, not really being able to weigh in on it. She didn't really want to think too much on the love life of someone she knew as family.

The conversation for the rest of the way involved little comments and antidotes pertaining to new products, and Leo gave his opinion here and there. The twins saw them off to the Leaky's door, and Aurora and Leo went inside to use the floos.

She made the mistake of glancing back, something she did and didn't want to do in equal measure.

She was disappointed to find both twins had gone.

—S—

Severus stood by as Theodore Nott removed his silver mask and vomited just outside the gates. Despite appearing uncaring, his sympathy for the boy ran deep. Very deep.

He'd been there.

His first murder was his father. For Theo, it was a random muggle. And because he was meant to be a protege of Severus' the Dark Lord thought it would have been fitting for Theo to off his first victim in the same way: Sectumsempra.

It had been a bloody mess, literally and figuratively. At first, Theo was still just getting the hang of the spell, or at least that's what Severus told the Dark Lord when the man they nabbed from who knew where only had minor slices that just wouldn't stop bleeding. Then Theo was a bit too enthusiastic, and while it wasn't the blood bath Severus had made with his father, it was a near thing.

There was the traditional holiday revel that followed, with all the typical activities that tended to follow. As was always the case, Severus remained a spectator, and the Dark Lord had him sit to his right hand said, making idle commentary and small talk as though there were not muggleborns being assaulted, and there had not just been a terrible blood bath of people who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Theo had stood off to the side, still, probably so deep in his occlumency that time virtually stood still for him. He was mechanical in response when Severus had excused them for the evening, citing a need to return to Hogwarts before anyone noted their absence, duel or otherwise, and apparated them to the gate. No need for a student to know of his exception to the rule of apparation.

When the young wizard had finally managed to breath, he croaked. "You're sick." He coughed and spluttered, clutching his side. "You're sick, and twisted, the lot of you. Knew my father was a good for nothing, but this."

"You may have noticed I wasn't precisely among the lot of them." He deadpanned.

"No. No, you just had to teach me a spell of your own creation that-" he paused, retching with nothing more to expel, then continued. "He, that man, was nothing more than meat. A cow for slaughter."

"And now you know how the Death Eaters work."

"I never wanted to know!" Theo raged. "I may not like muggleborns, or even muggles, but I don't want to see them dead!"

"And what, Mr Nott, is the difference between a muggleborn and a pureblood? Ask yourself if that man you killed tonight wasn't actually a wizard that you did not know. Would you have been able to tell the difference? The women and men that were used for the pleasure of our brothers, how can you tell that they are muggleborns? Could you? I believe at least one of them was actually a half-blood, the crime of being a muggleborn's child. And yes, Mr Nott, before you get anymore self-riotous on me, I do know who most of them were and I did not stop it. Doing so would be a monumentally stupid mistake. Now, curse me out all you must, but using that spell, my spell, brutal though it may be, would not damage your soul anywhere near the degree and unforgivable would."

"But I am damaged. I am a murderer. How can I look…," He stopped, seeming to collect himself and realize what he was doing. He vanished the mess he made, standing straight, squaring his shoulders. Waiting."

Severus pursed his lips. "You're wondering how you can face Mr Zabini or Miss Greengrass knowing the blood that stains your hands?" He asked, and he noted Theo's flinch and slight nod. His nod was more visible. "After I was made to murder my father the same way you killed that muggle this evening, I returned to find Professor H waiting for me, allowing me no time to think of how I could stand before her again a killer. It's never gotten easier, but with time, I have come to accept that she will still love me regardless. They do not need know, but should you tell them, do not withhold a single bit of the truth. Do not hide behind half honesty."

Theo stared at him, calculating. "Does Aurora know?"

"Yes," He said, "As does Leonidas."

"So, your whole family…."

"Yes." Severus said firmly. "And should danger lurk for them, I will know who brought it."

"You don't have to worry about that from me, sir." Theo swore. "But to be frank, I can't stand to look at you right now."

Severus smirked. "Most can't." He then gestured toward the castle. "Go. The password for the Prefects bathroom is mer-tail. None of them are here for the Hols, so you might as well take advantage."

Theo nodded, then passed the gate.

Severus remained outside, wondering if there was much point heading inside. Hermione and the children were at the cottage. With only Theo and a couple first years staying behind for Slytherin, Minerva had asked Rolanda to keep an eye on them while Severus had a holiday away from the castle. Dumbledore should have been the one to approve such a thing, but it seemed all the administration work had been passed down to his deputy.

As the dot that was the young Mr Nott vanished inside, Severus apparated to his backyard.

It was snowing there, casting an enchanting glow on the house dotted with fairy lights. The muggle neighbors, few and far between, would never know the multi-colors specs were charmed and not electric, but they looked so very much like all the other homes in the neighborhood.

Except, Severus thought, none would be quite so enchanting as this.

He watched through the window as Hermione, Aurora, and Leonidas puttered about the kitchen, appearing to be making cookies, likely for the gathering to take place tomorrow. And of course, because the children could not wave their wands to assist, Hermione was doing it the muggle way, which meant there was flour in her hair on her clothes, same as their daughter while their son somehow still looked pristine.

It occurred to Severus, though not for the first time, how much they were not children any more. A boy just a few months older than his daughter killed a stranger for the pleasure of a mad man not four hours earlier. She had faced down his supposed comrades and did so admirably. His son was starting to understand the intricacies of the politics that always hung over his life like a dark cloud, and understanding the risks having a muggleborn for a friend would mean.

Yet here in this moment, he could pretend that they were simply normal children, enjoying the holidays with their parents, making cookies with their mother.

Aurora looked up just then and startled momentarily before giving him a small smile and a wave. She went back to assisting without saying a word, as though she knew what he needed right now was merely to be am observer, to savor this memory. It could very well be their last, normal holiday. It didn't matter the horrors and atrocities that occurred earlier in his evening. Severus pushed that aside to etch this in mind to cherish in the inevitable dark times ahead, to get him through it all if need be.

When he had his fill, and the chill began to get to him, he finally went inside.

December 24th, 1996

H—

In the spirit of the holidays, peace on Earth and all that rot, Hermione was the one waiting with Aurora for the Longbottoms to come through the floo.

Severus was at Grimmauld place, sharing a drink with Sirius, Alastor, and Minerva, Leo was probably tucked away in the library there, and since the Weasleys were arriving as she and Aurora were leaving, she assumed that it was now a new sort of chaos over there.

But their home was quiet, with Aurora silently sitting on the other end of the sofa appearing deep in thought, and it actually made Hermione regret her allowing Severus his drink and to not have to see Neville so soon during his time away from the castle. It was nearly suffocating without any cheer except for the Yule tree in the corner of the room.

"So," She said into the silence, seeing Aurora lift her head a bit despite not turning toward her. "Have you thought much on what you want to do after Hogwarts?"

Aurora groaned, "Why does everyone keep asking me that?" She grumbled.

"Because it's important." Hermione retorted, turning to face her daughter head on. Aurora continued to look ahead, but Hermione went on anyway. "You may still have two years left, but after this year, you can limit or increase your course load as you see fit and gear it to the career of your choice. I know you're likely to qualify anyway, but the matter of principal is, should you want to be an auror, you would need potions at NEWT level, as well as transfiguration, charms, defense against the dark arts…." She got no response from Aurora who stared at her fingers in her laps. "A curse breaker? You would need runes and arithmancy for that." Nothing. "Perhaps you're thinking of becoming a ministry official? It's always good to be prepared with an area you'd like to be in. For instance, muggle relations. I know you haven't taken muggle studies, but there's always-"

"What's the point?" Aurora snapped, bring Hermione up short.

"Aurora…." She started to scold but stopped when her daughter lifted her hand.

"There's a war on."

"I am aware of this, yes." Hermione half-snapped.

"So, has it ever occurred to you, or dad, or anyone that some of us may not have the luxury of-of pointing our wands at a board and choosing a path because the world is our oyster? Mum, I am the daughter of a death eater. Who is not really a death eater. But I am also friends with Harry, and to be frank, I have no intention of abandoning him on some sort of pretense that I need to play a part. I was already spotted at the ministry; how long do you think it would take for anyone who was at that battle to figure out whose child I am? Dad has said Draco was wanted by the Dark Lord-"

"How did you know…?"

"I have ears and use them. You and Dad have a tendency to forget that just because I should be in bed doesn't mean that I am."

Hermione sighed, nodding.

Aurora sighed, too, rubbing her forehead. "I can't think of 'after Hogwarts' because I my place in all of this has rendered it impossible to know what comes next. All I know is I don't want to be a potion's mistress, and I don't want to get into teaching." She flopped her head back on the couch. "And I am not going to go work for Fred and George."

"What in the world has made you leap to that conclusion?" Hermione asked, glad to have had something to break up the tension at least a bit.

Aurora smirked. "It was offered."

The floo flared before Hermione had a chance to ask further, and Neville emerged, followed sharply by his grandmother.

Augustus Longbottom looked about the cottage, her uncertainty clear on her face before her eyes fell to Aurora as she got to her feet.

"We will be here, young lady, to whisk you through to St Mungo's by 1pm." She said, looking down her nose at Aurora.

"Yes, ma'am." Aurora nodded.

"I don't tolerate tardiness of any kind, for any reason." She said sternly, and Aurora nodded. "So, when I come back through to retrieve Neville, I expect him to be waiting for me. Six o'clock."

"Of course." Aurora said, and only at Augustus' nod did Neville step away from her.

The woman turned her sharp gaze to Hermione. "Mrs Snape, I trust that there will be a chaperon with them at all times?"

Hermione's brow arched. "They will be with friends, and there will be a plethora of adults around. I assure you, you have nothing to worry about as far as impropriety is concerned."

"Good." And without another word, Augustus left.

Hermione's shoulders sagged, and she chuckled as she noticed both teenagers having the same reaction. "I can understand why it was a tossup between she and Severus for your boggart, Neville. She's a fearsome woman."

"Yeah," Neville admitted, then smiled sheepishly at Aurora. "Hey, Rory."

"Hello," Aurora smiled, and Hermione tilted her chin, satisfied to see Augustus hadn't ruined the potential for the two to enjoy themselves.

"Well, come on you two. Aurora, lead the way for Neville. I'll go last, make sure that the two of you don't sneak up to Aurora's room."

—A—

"Ginny, take it down!" Harry's voice shouted from the library, and Neville and Aurora paused on the stairs, looking at one another in confusion.

She had a sort of rush, dull and understated, when their eyes met, and his hand squeezed just a little bit tighter. She hadn't realized that she missed him until he was standing in her living room, and she was thrilled to see him there.

"No," Ginny retorted. "And are you really complaining about the frequency with which you get to kiss your boyfriend?"

"It's not exactly something I have to sneak around to do," Harry retorted as the couple on the stairs continued hand in hand toward the library. "But come on! What if you get stuck under there?"

"It doesn't need to be a romantic kiss," Ginny retorted. "Doesn't even have to be on the lips, you just make it that way."

Aurora pushed the door open to find the Weasley family sitting in a semi-circle. Ron and George were on opposite ends of the couch, Ginny on the floor at Ron's feet. Fred sat in the arm chair. The arms chair, Aurora's brain provided, and she blushed as she looked away before she recalled last Christmas.

Her attention was drawn to Harry and Draco who were standing in the somewhat middle of the room, Harry frowning and Draco smirking before taking Harry's hand and tugging him away.

"You don't want it to reactivate Potter. Move." He said, and Harry finally stepped away.

"Luna!" Aurora exclaimed, the couple shifting away revealing their friend in a soft, squishy chair that she had to have transfigured as Aurora had never seen it in the library beforehand.

"Hello, Rory," She said, and shifted to make room in her chair for Aurora to crash in next to her. "I'm so glad you're here. I know Leonidas said you would be back, but still, I had worried that perhaps you and Neville would want time to yourselves and I wouldn't get the chance to see you. I'm afraid I won't be here long."

"It's fine, I'm just glad to see you're here." She replied before looking at her boyfriend standing awkwardly off to the side. "Oh, sorry, Nev." She said, struggling to get back up after having sunk into the cushions.

"Switch with ya," Ginny said, standing and crossing the room, deftly avoiding the mistletoe in the process. She held out her hands, and Aurora took them, allowing her friend to pull her up. They stumbled, and as they moved, Ginny froze, Aurora crashing into her.

"Oh," Ginny laughed, glancing up. "Oops."

"Here," Draco said, rolling his eyes as he came over and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Save the pair of you from being gawked at."

"Oh, I think we would have been able to kiss one another on the cheek." Ginny retorted. "I've already done it to Luna."

"And I believe the pair of you got cat called." He reminded, and Aurora rolled her head to face Fred.

He smirked. "Wasn't just me."

"Or me." George inputted as Aurora looked to him.

"I might have," Harry smirked. "But only because Ginny did it to us first."

"I can't help it if the pair of you are adorable." She retorted as she moved to sink into the chair next to Luna.

Aurora glanced around, seeing the love seat was already occupied by Harry, Draco returning to his side.

"Think it counts as magic outside of school during the holidays?" Aurora asked as she moved to the bookshelf and picked up brass figure.

"If it does, then Luna's expelled." Ron replied.

Shrugging, Aurora set the figure down on the floor. She withdrew her wand and mumble the incantation to turn it into a two-person seat. It may not have been the loveliest thing to look at, but as she sat down, she was pleased to find it wasn't hard, nor so soft that she sank down like Luna's chair. She looked to Neville and patted the spot next to her where he promptly sat down as close as he could, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"So, what have we missed?" She asked.

"Your cookies are gone." Harry said.

"And I'm fairly certain Sirius is drunk," Draco inputted.

"Yeah, before the Weasleys and Luna came, they seemed to be having something like a meeting." Harry added. "I thought I heard something about a plan when I went down to get butterbeers."

Aurora leaned forward. "A plan for what?"

—S—

"She brought up a good point." Hermione said with a heart heavy sigh. "It's almost like we're the ones living in our own little world, pushing them to think of what they want to do after they graduate, when this war is likely going to prevent them from doing so."

"They are children." Molly insisted, back to the lot of them as she whipped up a meal. "They don't need to be concerned with the war."

"But they are, Molly." Sirius replied. "And rightly so. It's not as though none of us were thrust into this whole thing before we left Hogwarts during our years."

"You were all done by the time-"

"I may have been, but Severus and Hermione were not." Sirius said, sipping his whiskey, well on his way to ruining all the work his earlier sober-up potion had done.

"That does not mean that those children will be." She said, not turning to look at them all while stirring her potatoes a bit too harshly.

"Potter already is." Alastor retorted. "Don't think Dumbledore ain't got him up in his office for career advice. He's training him. Boy said so himself. Training him by teachin' him all 'bout Riddle."

"Which is why I think we should tell Harry soon about the thing." Sirius stated pointedly.

"How's his occlumency, Severus?" Minerva asked.

"Can he keep it hidden? That he knows?"

Severus looked about the room to everyone staring at him, and he sighed. "I haven't really given much thought to continuing our lessons, if I were to be honest. After last year, the incident at the ministry, Potter said he would try harder, and I believe he has. He's never had a problem coming to me before about picking up on the Dark Lord's thoughts. I think if he still were, he would ask for more training."

"He's a child!" Molly slammed her wooden spoon down on the counter, whirling around on them with tears in her eyes. "It's Christmas, and they're children! Why are we talking about their needing training? About them even being included in the war?"

"Molly," Arthur said gently, the first time the man spoke up all evening. "Ron will be seventeen next year. Almost all of them will be of age by this time next year. And being of age, they will be able to make their own choices. Fred and George are already in the Order, and I think we both know Ron, Harry, Draco, and Rory will be involved in any way they can."

"I wasn't being pessimistic when I say that the Dark Lord will take over the ministry." Severus said. "It's his plans, and he will succeed. No one will be able to stop him, and until we have everything in place, we shouldn't even attempt it."

"Dumbledore will stop him." Molly said with certainty, turning back to the stove. "You-know-who won't win because Dumbledore won't let him."

Whether they meant to or not, Minerva and Alastor, Hermione and Sirius all exchanged a look that spoke of secrets. Maybe it was the liquor flowing through their veins, or maybe they were just tired of the pretense that they were as in the dark about everything as the Weasleys. But in that moment, when Arthur picked up on it, Severus knew that at least that secret wouldn't last the night.

"There's something you aren't telling us." Arthur said without malice. "And I'm willing to bet it has to do with Dumbledore's hand."

Severus looked to Alastor.

Alastor nodded. "Arthur," He said, turning to the Weasley patriarch. "You're a loyal fella. Stuck by Dumbledore through it all, even when others doubted him."

Arthur frowned. "Dumbledore is the leader of the Order of the Phoenix. But, in truth, it's Harry who is the chosen one. I suppose, if you want me to say who I am loyal to, it's Harry."

"The side of good." Molly said with conviction. "The side of the light."

"Light." Alastor scoffed. "If you only knew half o'what the supposed light has done, Molly, you wouldn't be so self-righteous."

"Then bring us up to speed, Alastor." Arthur said genially. "What don't we know."

Severus smirked as Sirius uncorked the fire whiskey and poured an over-large serving into a tumbler, sliding it over to Arthur. "You're going to want that." He said, sitting back in his chair.

"We all will." Minerva said holding out her own glass to the head of the house. "Be a good host and top this up," She said. "Need a wee bit o'drink every time this gets said."

—A—

The room was tense, and Aurora chewed her lip as she tried to choose a focus. Logically, it should be her boyfriend, who was unusually confident and it was a very good look on him, if she did say so herself. Confident Neville was rare, and somewhat insanely attractive. But so was self-assure Fred, and George to a slightly lesser degree, and the two had those knowing smirked as they glanced to one another slyly before staring down the competition. And… well, she supposed she could say Draco looked good when he was being arrogant, but he was like her brother, and that was weird.

"Alright. Let's see what you have." Draco said.

"Two pairs," George said, laying his hand down.

"That's good," Draco conceded, but not as good as a full house." Draco said, laying his muggle playing cards on the table for the others to see. This had been Harry's idea, teaching them to play poker. It didn't take long for all of them to pick up on the game, though since they were currently playing for crisps, and the rest of them had a tendency to eat their winnings (Ron especially), they were out before the game really got going.

"I can beat that," Fred said, laying his hand down, "Four of a kind."

Neville's lips twitched a moment before he allowed a full smirk to come through. Without a word, he laid down his cards, revealing the royal flush in his hands.

The eruption of noises, joy, shock, euphoria, and defeat filled the air for a moment as Neville collected his crisps and set them in his bowl.

"We need more crisps!" George announced. "Get the lot of you back in here so we might actually stand a chance and break Nevvie's winning streak."

"Getting hard on the ego, that is." Fred agreed.

"He's changing the cards!" Ron said adamantly, already heading toward the door to head to the kitchen.

"Really?" Neville said as he stood, joining him Harry and Draco right behind him. "I can barely transfigure a match to a sewing needle, but I'm changing muggle cards?"

"You're just pissed you're losing, Weasel." Draco commented as he and Harry followed the boys out the door.

"I'm thinking we need some butterbeers," George said, "Unless someone wants something else?"

"I have to go home, actually," Luna said as she fell in step with George. "But it's been quite fun being a part of all this."

"Your dad needs to let you come by more often," Ginny said as she followed Luna and her brother out the door.

Aurora followed, until suddenly she wasn't. Frowning, she looked to her feet, seeing nothing there that should have held her. She glanced behind her at Fred who was smirking, narrowing her eyes. "What did you do?" She asked him.

"Didn't do a thing, me." He said. "All you this time."

"What are you on abo-" She stopped, cold dread filling her.

No, no, no, no ….

Hesitating, Aurora slowly looked up and groaned when it was confirmed that she was, in fact, standing beneath that bloody, stupid enchanted mistletoe. How could she have been so stupid? How could she have not remembered to avoid it?

"Looks like you got yourself into quite the predicament." Fred said, and she glared at him as he stood and strode over to her.

"Yes, looks like, doesn't it?"

He looked up at it, circling as he seemed to study it at multiple angles. "Gin's right bloody good, ain't she? We actually had her teach this to us so we could sell it in the shop. They were actually a big hit, more so among the older generation, probably because of what's needed to break the enchantment."

"Well, it's mistletoe. Now, are you going to help me, or do you intend to point out the obvious all night?"

"Are you asking me to kiss you?" Fred asked, a smirk playing on his lips as his eyebrows twitched in amusement.

"I suppose I am. Nothing says it has to be on the lips, does it?" She asked, her gut twisting and her heart starting to pick up speed.

"No," Fred conceded. "No, nothing says it has to be the lips." He shifted closer to her, and Aurora watched him intensely as he leaned in only a fraction before pausing. "But that's the problem, isn't it? I want it to be."

He met and held her gaze, and the still functioning part of Aurora's brain demanded she remember to breath. She remembered that look, and all the things she stuffed down within to ensure that that look would never cross her mind came spilling out. Her heart, which was starting to find its way to Neville, was suddenly torn in two.

"I miss you, Aurora." Fred said vehemently. "I miss you more than anything. And I'm starting to think I was the daftest fool this side of the veil to have actually thought we'd be better off apart. Or that I would be better off, I should say. Because you are doing fantastic, and you are going about things exactly how I hoped you would. Expected that you would. But blimey, I miss you. And by Merlin I am still painfully in love with you.

"I know you're with Nevvie, and I am happy you seem happy. I really, truly am. I hold no hard feelings toward the bloke if he manages to keep you. But if something comes up, and you guys don't work out, well…" He gave a pained little half-smile as he brushed a lock of hair from her shoulder. "Count on me to come running. Because there's a war going on out there, it's all official now, and we don't know what's going to happen. But I do know one thing: I'm yours."

He leaned in, and Aurora's eyes closed, her chin tilting up without her permission, every fiber in her anticipating his kiss.

His breath grazed her ear. "And I'll be waiting. The quaffle's in your hands, and all you need to do is say the word."

Aurora's breath rushed out when she felt his presence withdraw, and her brain was trying to reconcile the fact that she was as desperate for his touch as she was to be able to go back to before she stepped beneath the ruddy weed above her head.

He was nearly in the doorway when she realized, fully, that the was walking away and she was still stuck, "Oi, aren't you going to free me?"

Fred stopped, then turned around with that trouble-maker grin. "Oh no. Already kissed you once when you were Neville's. Not going to do it this time, wouldn't be fair." And then he left.

"Fred!" She called.

"I'll send him up!" He shouted from out in the hall, making her grin.

It didn't last long, as she replayed his words in her head. How many times had she hoped, in the early days of their break-up, that he would say something like that? How many times did they run into one another when he could have told her? Why now? What happened with Janette, or whatever her name was from before? And he had told her she should go out with Neville, so why wait until now to say something?

But then, she realized she hadn't exactly been any less cold toward him. Wasn't it just a few days ago she had hoped, however deep down, to find him looking back at her when she glanced behind her? Was it not him she had assumed Neville's first invitation was from?

Neville, whom she could hear on the steps heading up to her, and who was sweet and good and wonderful. And who made her heart flutter.

Neville smiled when he came into the room, and she could tell he was laughing at her. "Fred said you got stuck." He said as he came up to her. "I have to admit, I was a bit surprised he didn't … you know."

"Kiss me?" She asked.

Neville shrugged. "See the way he looks at you." And then leaning in as if to impart a big secret, "Why do you think I like beating him in cards so much."

"Thought you just really liked the vinegar crisps." She retorted, making him smile a little brighter.

"Do like those, too." He said, making her chuckle.

Neville cupped her face with both hands then leaned in, capturing her mouth with his.

It started off slow, simple, and Aurora pushed on him a little as she felt herself freed from the magic that had held her in place. But instead of pulling away, Neville let go of her face and put his hands on her waist, pulling her closer.

For a moment, she very nearly forgot everything. Aurora looped her arms around his neck and held him a bit closer. Neville deepened the kiss, and Aurora's mind slipped for a moment to think of how different he was when he was like this. How from the moment she first kissed him, Neville gained a sort of confidence with her that he lacked before?

But then it changed course and reminded her that it was just last year that she was kissing a different bloke, the same one who just said he'd wait for her. The same one who made a ridiculous promise to her parents and broke it off with her in the first place. The one who told her to go for Neville.

She refused to think on it, she told the voice to shut up and kissed Neville just a little deeper, causing him to stumble backward and land on the couch, taking her along with her.

"Rory," He said against her lips after a moment. "The others'll be coming back up soon."

She nodded, kissed him again despite the warning, making him

whimper a bit. She smirked, having not been able to get that reaction out of him yet despite the intense snogging sessions, and put her fingers in his hair, forgetting all about anyone and anything else until her brain demanded oxygen.

They each took a deep lungful of air, catching their breath, smiling with their foreheads pressed together.

"Blimey, I think I'm in love with you." He whispered, perhaps not meaning for her to hear him.

But she did.

She scrambled away, but as she did, the door opened, making it seem as though it was the re-entry of the others, minus Luna and the twins, that caused her to back away. She turned, running her fingers through her hair and pulling, both to tame it back down and to give herself something else to focus on other than the ridiculousness of being told by two blokes in less than twenty minutes that they loved her. Two blokes she both felt deeply for.

She went to turn away when she froze, unable to move.

"Gin," She said, closing her eyes and trying to remain calm. "Take down. The sodding. Bloody. Mistletoe. Do it now, or I swear to Merlin…."

"See," Harry said beside her, and she felt his lips peck her cheek to release her from the hold. "You're the only one who likes it."

The mistletoe was banished. The twins returned with arms full of butterbeer, and the games resumed.

But while everything went on as it had before, Aurora could not. Fred didn't look at her differently, but then now she knew why that was: because things never changed for him. Neville didn't act any different, so either his confession wasn't meant to be heard and assumed she hadn't, or he just plan thought she didn't hear him at all. They were both as civil to one another as they had always been, but then, Aurora never knew for sure if they were on friendly terms, or just got along for the sake of keeping the peace.

Nothing had changed.

Nothing except her.


Thank you everyone for reading, favoriting, following, and reviewing. rlsa, HpSnape, lia a karas, HGranger89, TheShipperOfTheChrystalBallroom, BlueWater5, Kolbz, Smootsmokey, Guest, Guest, ThatGreenDooredBookshop, aj613, and Lillian, thank you all for leaving word.

So, heads up, Aurora is about to dive head first into being a bit of a reckless teenager in the next 2-3 chapters. Have patience with her and her poor emotional choices.

Also... Team Fred? Team Neville. It seems Fred is the current winner thus far.

Until Friday!