Harry woke up in a bed. His all body was hurting him. But he was sure he was sure he was alive. His last memories were blur. He felt he had forgotten something important on purpose. Just this thought made trembled. He sat on the bed. He recognized the infirmary. He was in this room too often. He sighed and stretched up. He was about to call for someone when he saw Ron and Hermione sleeping in chairs. Harry smiled. He put his hand on Ron and shook him. Ron groaned and opened his eyes. When he saw Harry, he yelled:

"Harry! Oh Merlin, you're alive! Hermione, wake up!"

Hermione almost jumped off her chair and yelled too when she saw Harry.

"Harry we were so worried!

-Thanks, hum but what happened?

-Dementors, that's what happened. They were not supposed to be here. Dumbledore was so furious! I never saw him like that.

-What about the match?

-Oh Harry...

-We didn't lose?

-Diggory didn't see it. He tried to cancel it but he had caught the snitch faire and square. Oliver had to admit it.

-Where is he? And everyone else?

-In the dormitory probably. You slept the entire day. Fred told me he stayed very long in the shower, probably trying to draw himself. Oh come one Harry, it's the first match you lose. You'll catch up."

Harry felt there was something else. Ron and Hermione was trying to avoid his eyes.

"Harry, sorry, you came first you know. So after you were save, we thought about your broom. Oh Harry, I'm so sorry, it flew to the whomping willow and you know how he is like."

Harry knew. It almost killed him last year. He lied down again. It was not just a broom. It was one of his valuable possessions he ever had. He felt like he lost a friend.

"You'll have a new one and you'll win the cup, I'm sure! said Ron with a touch of unease in his voice.

-Yeah, sorry, I'm still a little...

-Ah finally awake!"

They all turned. Mrs Pomfrey had come in, she was followed by Neptuna and McGonagall and Flinch.

"We had deal, said the professor, as soon as Potter is awake, you go back to your common room. Flinch will guide you there. No protestation!" she added as Ron and Hermione opened their mouths.

They wished Harry a good night and went out, followed by Flinch. McGonagall then turned to Harry.

"How do you feel Potter?

-Still tired professor.

-Of course, I'll let him in your care Pomfrey.

-Yes."

Neptuna was watching him as Pomfrey was checking on him. She never thought she'll be scared like that again. She really thought Harry had died. He was her pupil; everyone was counting on her to protect him. But the more she thought about him, the less she seemed capable. Everytime Harry had been in danger, someone else had intervened. What did she give him apart the authorization for Hogsmead? Yeah, she had prevented him to die by slowing his fall. She hated feeling useless.

"Miss, are you alright?"

She raised her head, Harry was looking at her. Pomfrey declared she had finished and urged Neptuna to let the boy sleep. She nodded and went to her pupil as the nurse went away.

Harry was still looking at her, lying down. He really looked helpless.

"I feel like I'm useless to you Harry, I don't see what can I bring to you so far.

-You're here, that's a lot. And you are trying, that's more than my aunt I can tell you that."

She smiled and stroke his hair gently.

"Have plan for Christmas Harry?

-Hum, Ron has invited me... but you can come too!

-Well, if you want it.

-I do, for real!

-Then, I'll come on Christmas day Harry, I promised."

Christmas was coming very quickly, just another week and holidays were here.

As usual, Hogwarts was beautifully decorated. Hagrid had brought many trees to the great hall and almost ten students who got caught in them. The ghosts were singing Christmas songs in their cold, sharp voices, so was Peeves but while shooting everyone with mistletoes. Students needed to ask the bloody Baron to make him stop. It worked, for at least twenty minutes.

Dumbledore was walking around with green and red dresses which had bells on it. He really looked like Santa Klaus or a tree. First years were always trying to catch one of the bells and he seemed very pleased. However he was the only one to be in the mood. The other teachers didn't follow, more they didn't want to.

"My dear Minerva, students heard him said to McGonagall, it is important to keep the celebrations alive. We are not to let Sirius Black ruined it. I have always enjoyed Christmas. I mean, I always did it while Voldemort was in his best shape."

McGonagall had shivered but everyone knew it was not because of the cold.

For the previous years, Harry had spent the holidays within the castle and it had been the best, he had no doubt. It had been also the first time he had received real present, thanks to Ron who had told his mother Harry wasn't expected some. Presents from the Dursleys weren't even ones.

He was getting more impatient to celebrate it with the Weasley. In secret he had prepared a gift for each of them, they deserved it. Thought he had no idea what would please Percy. Perhaps a book. He barely saw him. Percy was in his final year and wanted to get into the Ministry next year to Fred and George's annoyance.

"What kind of moron would like to spend half his life in there?

-Our father, for a first?" usually replied Percy and surprisingly, it had an effect on them. It was one thing to mock their brother, another one their father.

Mr Weasley worked in the department of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts. As Harry understood, Mr Weasley was chasing cursed objects that were sold to the muggle. Harry wandered where the fun in that was and then he would remember Lucius Malfoy giving a cursed diary to Ginny.

"Can't wait this weekend, first we go to Hogsmead then the day after we go home for the holiday.

-Yes, I'll buy a lot of butterbear, it is so delicious, said Hermione. But professor Lupin said no to abuse the good things.

-I'm surprised he knew your family. How come he never contacted you Harry?

-Ron, you saw him. Professor Lupin seems to have trouble of taking care of himself.

-Yeah, we never got many money but we always had food on our table. I wander what's wrong with him.

-Well, it's obvious right? said Hermione.

-What's so obvious? asked Harry.

-Never mind, sighed Hermione.

-First Snape knew my father now him. Guess he was popular.

-Well, he was a Quidditch player, added Ron. That usually comes together.

-I'm not popular.

-Excuse me Mr I survived a mortal attack?

-You know what I mean, said Harry with annoyance.

-Well, speaking of teachers it's been quite a while since Trelawney hasn't predicted your death, Harry.

-And it's a good thing, Ron! spitted Harry.

-Well, I must admit she has quite some imagination. Always making a new one.

-Yeah, talking about some fortune teller...

-I can't stand her, declared Hermione. She seems to be a fraud! Arithmancy at least is more useful. This morning class was so interesting! You wouldn't know what you can do with...

-What? You couldn't have that this morning! We were with Hagrid. I mean, I know it's not the most exciting class but you were here with us. I remember it well.

-Let's go, we'll be late" cut Hermione while leaving.

Ron looked at Harry.

"Don't you get the feeling she's hiding something from us?

Harry nodded.

"First, her strange agenda now this. But you know Hermione, if she doesn't want to tell a thing...

-Yeah I know."

They went on for the rest of the day.

The week had passed very quickly. Everyone was getting nervous and, or, excited. A lot of students were going home this year; Harry suspected no one wanted to stay near the dementors for the celebrations. He heard a lot of people saying things like how good it would be to be away.

Snape cursed himself for agreeing for that meeting. It was stupid. But necessary, he needed to stay on the pure-blood side. And that meant marrying one of them. If anything, he was annoyed and stressed.

Lily was the only one he ever wanted since he was a child. She was still. And Dumbledore's opinion hadn't helped at all.

"Lily is dead, Severus, she is not coming back. For once, I agree with Lucius. It may be good to meet her.

-For the case the Dark Lord would return.

-Well, yes but not only. Who knows, she might be a good person to be in company with.

-I don't care about that.

-Don't be so rude, Severus. It's not her fault. You need to keep an open mind."

Snape would have loved if Dumbledore would keep his mind out of his life. But he couldn't, he made a vow.

Was it worth it?

You're disgusting me!

Snape shivered. He would never forget the look Dumbledore had while he had said those words.

And he couldn't forget Potter's look either.

I thought I could trust you!

No, he shouldn't think about that.

He saw he had arrived at the inn; he took a deep breath and came in. It was crowded as he expected it. Which was fine, the more people there was, the less he could be heard. Not that he would give some secrets, but he didn't want more people to know about his private life. Well, if it was become a concrete marriage, a lot of people would know. He wandered if he should run for it while he could still.

He searched for the lady and found her. She was sitting near a window. She already had been served tea and sandwiches. She was reading a book while waiting for him. Well, that was a good point for her.

"Miss Anna Peregrine, I presume?"

She raised her eyes. They were brown, so was her hair. She had a oval shape and was wearing dark blue clothes. She was neither pretty nor ugly, the average, really the average.

"That would be me. Severus Snape, right? Please to meet you.

-Likewise."

She examined him very slowly, put her book back in her bag and sighed.

"It seems you and I have something in common.

-Really?

-We are both annoyed by this. That or you are really stoic."

Another good point, she wasn't an idiot. He was glad she wasn't trying to turn that into a romantic date. That would be a disaster.

"Let me guess, she added, you are on your thirties right? You got the usual speech about having a family. But you couldn't, or wouldn't, find someone but you have accepted this meeting so people won't bother you about that.

-More or less, yes and you? You don't seem to be...

-Have you seen me? I know I'm not pretty; I'm not the first choice. Neither are you."

Snape thought the knight bus had just rolled over him. He knew that physically he wasn't the attractive type. But that was one thing to know and another to have it spitted at your face like that. Since Miss Peregrine was putting herself in the same boat, he wasn't sure if he should like her or not.

"That was rude, miss.

-But true nonetheless. But maybe it's because of that none of my date worked. I always speak my mind.

-I can see why it is a problem, said Snape while drinking his tea he had just poured.

-My parents want a lot of grand children.

-Most people do

-Whatever the mean."

As Snape expected it was more because of pride. All of pure blood wanted the more heirs as possible. But not too much, between one and three was correct. More would mean they can't restrain themselves. Well, that's how they saw big families, like the Weasley.

They stayed silent while they were eating a sandwich then she cut it.

"Is it true you are the home loving type?

-Well, yes.

-I'm more on go on a walk into the wood sometimes.

-Well, when I need some plants for my potions, I go out.

-It's good if we have different hobbies.

-Hum, pardon me, but you seem to have decided that... we're going to stay together?

-What? You have someone else who's willing to marry you?"

She had said in a sharp tone. She knew no one was going to marry her for love and she knew it applied to him. He had no idea if he should feel hurt.

"Not really.

-It's settled then. Let's eat something better now shall we?"

They ordered and didn't add a word. But it didn't feel awkward. Maybe she'll do the trick.

When the meeting was over, Snape decided to walk a little. A black dog ran meat in his mouth. Such thing shouldn't bother him but there was something. He swore the dog had looked at him. And there was something familiar with it. But before he could investigate more, the dog had disappeared behind a fence.

"Hello Severus, something wrong?"

Snape turned and saw Lupin. He took a deep breath.

"Nothing special. You look more tired," he said with a nasty smile.

Lupin answered nothing. He was stressed, he couldn't hide that but he wasn't going to tell Snape the reasons. He too had seen the black dog. He should have given the alert but then he would have to admit about before. He then remembered that Snape was a legimen and tried to think about something else.

"You seemed to have seen something Lupin.

-Like what?"

They faced each other. Lupin was hoping it would not lead to a fight. He had enough trouble in his life.

"I don't care what Dumbledore thinks, I'm watching you Lupin. You may not be an ally of Black but you definitively know things others don't.

-I'll do anything to arrest him. I want to protect Harry as well. Don't think you are the only one who lost people that night."

Snape froze as Lupin was saying these words. He tightened his fists.

"What's that suppose to mean?

-You think no one ever noticed? I don't know about the rest of the group but I did understand. I never told anyone though. What good would that bring? She is gone, he is gone. Stop bringing everything to yourself and stop thinking you are the only one who feels sadness."

Lupin slapped himself in his mind; he could take this advice too. He left a very angry Snape behind and he felt more awful than anything.

The trio had seen the two teachers.

"Damn, said Ron, they really hate each other right?"

Hermione and Harry nodded.

"Should we go back?"

The rest of day went quickly. As Harry closed his eyes, he heard whispers but chase them away.

He woke up very excited. Ron and the others were already dressed. They all went for breakfast as they shared their holyday plans.

On the train, Harry noticed no one bothered him about anything, not even Malfoy. Those holydays began well.

They were welcomed by Mr and Mrs Weasley on the platform.

"There you are!"

They kissed and hugged each of their children, including Harry, which pleased him.

"Let's go you must be starving.

-Hum, how are we going to home?

-With a taxi."

After another travel, they finally arrived. Harry loved the Weasley's home. It looked like a lot of wooden cabin were added as the family grew. Harry followed Ron into his room.

"There we are!"

"Merry Christmas to you all! Wake up!"

Harry almost fell off his bed. The twins were making a lot of noise. He then heard a very angry Mrs Weasley asking what she has done to deserve that. Then Mr Weasley said it was time to be jolly and festive.

"Damn those two", mumbled Ron.

They dressed up and went for breakfast. They were too excited to open their presents. Harry knew he would have some like the two previous years. And he was expecting Neptuna would give him some. But then, she said she would come, not that she would bring something. Harry's hearts was beating fast. Was he so spoiled he was worried she would come empty handed? It's not like it was recent for him to be cared and loved. After all, this was her role. He heard voices downstairs and recognized all of them. He ran out fast of excitement and almost flew away Percy.

"Miss Dawn!

-Hello Harry! Merry Christmas. I wanted to give your present in person."

Harry felt he could cry right now. Out of joy. She handed it. Harry opened it. It was a box full of drawing equipment.

"I wasn't sure if you like it.

-Thank you miss."

He hugged her. She seemed surprise but hugged him in return. Harry stayed like this for a complete minute; it was so warm and comfortable.

"Go open your other presents with your friends."

While the children were messing around the Christmas tree, Mrs Weasley gave her a cup of tea.

"Harry likes you.

-Thank you. I like him too. There is more than just the boy who lived.

-Yes, I'm glad the Ministry chose you. I was quite concerned.

-Harry likes you very much.

-Oh, it's not like we have done much.

-Considering his family, it was a lot."

Mrs and Mr. Weasley nodded. They knew it wasn't good but had no idea how awful it had been. Since Harry wouldn't talk much about it. They looked at them, such joy was perfect. Neptuna laughed when the twins were playing pranks at everyone during the day and even she was a target at some point.

Mrs Weasley kissed Harry as a thank you for his gifts.

"Harry, you shouldn't have.

-You deserved this. You were always so nice to me."

Ron's cheeks became red when he saw Quidditch equipment.

"Damn Harry!

-You know you should try going into the team."

Ron smiled. Harry saw a tiny box with his name on it. But no cards. He opened it. It was a jiggle saw puzzle. The same he did the last summer.

Harry felt strange. He had no idea why he would do that. He didn't want to show his tears to he turned back to the others. Breakfast was served and it looked delicious.

On a corner, Morgane was watching him. He was so happy. She felt he would never want to contact her again. She couldn't blame him. It was probably for the best. She too had been happy once, when she was alive.

"Farewell Harry, I hope this power will never trigger ever again."

With a last look to the boy, she smiled and faded away.