A/N:
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Enjoy.

Though Christmas had past, the homey feeling of it had yet to leave the old gnarled looking village, but that was the thing about Hogsmeade, it was always emanating a sense of home and tranquillity, despite the shifting seasons.

The December snow was still floating down from the clouds above and January had yet to take over with its gloomy, windy weather. It would as always, never be anything special, just another month to get through, before brighter days would come, or so you could hope. But something seemed off. The wind was colder, the snow thicker and the new moon was shining brighter than ever. It almost felt as if Faith had changed her mind. And perhaps she had, perhaps, alea jacta est - the die is cast.

Albus Dumbledore hummed as he walked past the crooked houses in Hogsmeade. There were light shining brightly from almost every one of the houses. The gleaming lights radiated a sense of home and joy. Home, what a foreign feeling, Albus mused. Curious as he was, Albus looked through a window, only for a second, as he passed one of the houses, but suddenly wished he hadn't.

The familiar pain deeply rooted in sorrow and shame resurfaced, as he watched a family eating supper. The mother was scolding what seemed to be brothers, while the father looked adoringly at the daughter. She was beaming with joy as she made her spoon hover a few inches above the table. As soon as the mother and the brothers realised what the girl had done, they all comforted her. They praised her, congratulated her, and all of them had the same adoring look in their eyes as the father had.

Maybe it was his imagination playing a trick on him, but the family looked not far from how his own had had all those years ago, before Grindelwald.

The girl looked so much alike Ariana. I'm sorry, dear little sister, so terribly sorry. Albus shook his head and continued on towards his destination, discreetly drying his eyes who had betrayed him.

The snow was thick, and the bottom of his plum coloured cloak was already soaking wet. Don't dwell on the past, it never helps anyone, Albus. He mused as he gently pushed the door open to the inn.

To Albus, Hog's head inn had never been impressive. It was too dark, too dusty and dirty, but maybe that was Aberforth in a nutshell. You'd think Aberforth would clean just once in a while.

Albus dried the bottom of his cloak before he moved to the bar. Aberforth was in the middle of placing some clean glasses on the shelf behind the bar, hence why he hadn't noticed his colourful brother's entrance.

Albus knocked on the desk to gather his brother's attention, "Happy Christmas, Abe."

Aberforth dropped the glasses he had in his hands and turned around with such force that he made the bottles clinked.

"What the bloody hell are you doing here?" snapped a rather irritable Aberforth.

"I come in peace."

Aberforth grunted, "I bet you do, git."

Albus rubbed his temples. This was a bad idea. I should've stayed at the castle.

"What a mess," sighed Aberforth and gathered his older brother's attention.

Albus held up a hand in a placating manner, as he drew his wand with the other. He pointed at the glasses that lay broken on the dusty inn floor, "Reparo.", he said and mended the broken glasses.

"Show off," grunted Aberforth as he put the glasses back upon the shelf.

"Dear little brother, I don't suppose you'd pour me a drink?"

"Drink?" Aberforth snorted disbelievingly, "You never drink, unless the world is falling apart."

Albus looked tired as ever as he sat down in front of his younger brother, "I think crumbling would be a better word to describe the current situation."

"Fire whisky it is then," said Aberforth as he reached for an old looking bottle on the shelf.

Albus nodded and tried to make himself comfortable on the very uncomfortable chair Aberforth had equipped for the bar. The chair both looked and felt over a hundred years old and was surly giving Albus a run for his gallons. This place needs to be tidied up and a bit of colour wouldn't hurt nobody. But maybe Abe likes his cave. Sighed Albus inwardly as Aberforth poured him a large glass of golden coloured liquor.

"Do tell what's troubling you, brother. And this time, do it before the world falls apart," grinned Aberforth and began drying another glass. But the thing was Albus didn't know where to start or how for that matter. Because how do you tell anybody, your brother especially that another child may or may not be in danger because of your search for the greater good? Albus didn't know that, but what he did know was that he needed a good explanation and quickly, his dear little brother had never been known to be patient or forgiving for that matter.

Hermione was packing up her trunk with a clouded mind, and a bittersweet feeling swimming through her veins. She had never thought in her twelve year of life that she would be feeling bittersweet about school, but alas she did. In less than twenty-four hours she would be on the train back to Hogwarts. Back to the chaos.

Come one, you can do it, you're Hermione Granger. It was only a half-hearted attempt to make herself feel better. Yes, I'm Hermione Granger, but I'm still a freak, even when I'm among my own kind. She was being hard on herself, but it had all been really confusing since that day in the great hall, and for the first time in her life, Hermione didn't want to go back to school. Of course, she was looking forward to spending time with Daphne and Harry, and expanding her already impressive knowledge, but something felt off. She hadn't told Harry or Daphne, but her magic had felt rather wobbly for some time now, and it scared her more than anything. What if I never gain fully control over it? She had pondered over that question many times over the past months, ever since her confrontation with Draco. He's a horrible person for pushing you like that. You did nothing wrong. You defended yourself. He wanted a reaction; it was on purpose. You did nothing wrong, Hermione. As much as Hermione tried to calm herself and prove to herself that what she had done was nothing out of the ordinary, she couldn't. Only children losses control over their magic like that.

Hermione had of course not reached for her magic outside of Hogwarts, her fear of being expelled due to use of underage magic was too big, but she was still able to feel it pulsating through her body. Though it felt wobbly it also felt strong, but not like anything she would be able to control.

She had had many conversations with Professor Flitwick since the incident with Draco, but nothing he had said or told her to do had helped. Her magic felt out of control. He had told her to find her inner tranquillity and meditate, but every time she tried to do so, she felt a pull on her magic. She had only done it at Hogwarts and was sure nothing good could come out of it from doing it at home. But she still wanted to at least try something. If I could just try a little spell, nothing huge or special, just something small. She had her wand in her hand and was ready to go for a simple transfiguration spell when she caught herself in the act. No, Hermione, stop it, you mustn't.

Hermione sighed and put down her wand, deciding it would be better to read to get her mind off of the things that was troubling her.

She had gotten mostly books over the holiday some of which she had already read, some she had saved for later. She picked out 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard', which Harry had gifted her. She hadn't opened it yet because she thought it was to pretty to open, but her curiosity had finally gotten the best of her. Much to her surprise a note fell out when she opened it.

I'm sorry for being an idiot the first day I met you. I hope you'll enjoy these just as much as I do.

Thank you for being my friend.

Happy Christmas

- Harry

Hermione hadn't realised she had read the note four times already. She was smiling from ear to ear. Friend. Hermione held the card close to her chest as she grabbed a piece of chocolate from the huge box of sweets Daphne had gifted her.

She was so busy reading through the fairy tales that she almost didn't notice the butterflies slowly forming in her stomach when she thought about seeing Daphne and Harry again, mostly Harry. All her doubts about going back to Hogwarts had suddenly vanished.

Christmas had flown by faster than Harry had wanted it to. He had enjoyed the time he'd spent with Severus during the break. They had made potions and practiced the theory behind charms and transfiguration, much to Severus's displeasure.

Harry knew his guardian wanted him to relax and enjoy his short break, but at the same time, Harry knew Severus couldn't help himself. Severus wanted Harry to do his best and be the best, just like Lily had. Maybe that was why Severus had finally given Harry permission to look through some of the oldest books he had collected over the years, though Harry suspected Severus had kept the darker ones from him.

Harry was an ambitious child and his ambitions and compassion for learning had only prospered over the past months at Hogwarts. Though he had stepped out of line one or two times, he had never felt more content to study harder and become better. He wanted nothing more than to follow in his parents' footsteps.

Gentle creeks from the stairs pulled Harry from his musings, and soon after stood Severus in the doorway to Harrys room.

"Have you packed everything you need?" asked Severus for what must've been the third time that day.

"Yes, I have backed everything." Answered Harry as he closed the book he had in his hands.

"Good," nodded Severus as he entered the room. He dropped down at the bottom of Harry's bed and looked at him with curious eyes. "When were you going to tell me about your meeting with Professor Dumbledore before the holiday?"

Harry was quite taken aback by Severus bluntness and his words failed him.

"Well?" asked Severus, "Why did he want to see you?"

"To hand me a present," said Harry sincerely.

Severus looked confused, "A present?"

"Yes, my father's old cloak."

"And you took the present?" narrow eyes were looking directly at Harry.

"Yes, it was dads, so technically it wasn't a present," Harry felt the need to defend himself, but at the same time he knew it was a lost cause.

Severus rested his head in his hands before looking at Harry once more, "Haven't I taught you anything?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't accept anything form anyone, you will owe them." Severus shook his head knowingly.

"But, he's Albus Dumbledore, he's…" tried Harry, but without any luck, for Severus cut him off before he could finish his sentence.

"Trust me," said Severus.

Harry felt anger rise inside him. "Trust you? You ask me to trust you but not the greatest wizard in the entire world?"

"Yes." Retorted Severus calmly.

"Why?" pleaded Harry.

"Because I say so."

"That's not fair!" exclaimed Harry. Though Harry was only eleven he definitely felt that he needed to be in the loop, especially when someone tried to shut him down with a classic 'because-I-say-so'.

Severus held up his hands in a peaceful manner, "Harry, please, it's late, we will talk about this another day. I promise you that, but now is not the right time."

"But I want to know now," Harry patience was running thin. Maybe that's why I never got sorted into Hufflepuff. My patience range is the size of a toothpick. He mused to himself as Severus once more assured him that he would know one day. "I can't give you the answers you want, at least not now, just trust me."

Harry nodded not quite ready to let go of the matter but knew he had to, for now at least.

Severus squeezed his shoulder and rose from the bed. "Try to get some sleep, we leave early tomorrow."

Harry nodded once more and let Severus leave his room. Stupid, stupid, stupid. This is just stupid. Why can't I just know? What's so important that I can't know it. And If it really is that important, shouldn't I know it? Harry pulled his duvet up over his head and let out a frustrated sigh. At least I'll see Daphne and Hermione tomorrow. Maybe they can help me figuring this out. And with that last musing Harry let the sleep carry him towards a night filled with dreams about fighting dragons and flying on brooms. A life so far from what his own looked like. And before he would realise it, tomorrow would have come, and a new term would have begun.

"She's my friend, and I will not distance myself from her, because of your stupid beliefs!" Daphne stomped in the ground, clearly, she had gotten her parents attention. She could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks. She was known to be the stubborn child, never disobedient, but very stubborn. Did I take it too far this time? No, Hermione is my friend.

Lord Greengrass rose from the dark leather armchair, with an expression Daphne was unable to read.

"Sweetheart we are not Malfoy's, you can be friend with whoever you want."

"I feel there's a but coming," bit Daphne.

Lord Greengrass shook his head, "Dearest, think about your status in the society. At some point you'll have to get married, preferably into a respected family."

Daphne was shaking with anger, "I am a child!"

"Yes, you are, you can't see the bigger picture. You need to make the right friends from the beginning." Proceeded Lord Greengrass, but it was all for nothing, Daphne had already made up her mind.

"If she's good enough to be friends with the Harry Potter, then I can be friends with her too, or do you have a problem with 'The-boy-who-lived' now?"

Lord Greengrass slid back into his chair, it was clear for everyone in the room to see that the man was conflicted about the situation.

Lady Greengrass placed a hand on her husband's arm, "Let her be, Love."

Lord Greengrass nodded and waved at Daphne as a sign that she could return to her room. From the looks of it he had a lot to think about.

Daphne smiled thankfully at her mother before she went to her room. Much to her annoyance the nagging about Hermione hadn't stopped. Before Daphne could do anything, she was being pushed into her room by her littles sister.

Astoria was looking at her with silvery eyes that was longing for information. Astoria had, as always when her sister was being reprimanded, been listening at the top of the stairs.

"Who is Hermione, and why is father angry?"

"It's none of your business, you nosy git." Scoffed Daphne as she laid down on her bed.

Only a little too late had Daphne realised that now was not the time to tease her sister or call her any silly name, and git would definitely categorize under the term teasing.

"It's because you fancy her." Astoria's eyes were lit up with mirth.

Daphne supported herself on her elbows as she looked at her little sister, her eyes narrowing.

"Astoria don't you dare," she said in a warningly tone, but it was too late. Astoria had turned around and begun chanting, "You like Hermione, you like Hermione, you like Hermione."

"Astoria stop it, father's already cross with me." Pleaded Daphne, "Don't make it worse by saying such rubbish." Daphne had jumped out of bed and was standing a few feet away from her sister, ready to tackle her if necessary.

"You wouldn't mind if it wasn't true." Astoria looked at her older sister with mischief written on her face.

"It's not true!" hissed Daphne as she grabbed a pillow and threw it after her sister, who quickly left the room.

"Git." Said Daphne as she once more sank deeper down in her bed.

I don't like Hermione, I like nobody. Though something deep down in Daphne's gut made her think twice about that statement, but before the thought could plant a seed in her mind, she forced it out of her head. I have two friends and I care for them both equally. And with that she fell asleep, hoping to forget about it as soon as she got back to Hogwarts.

Spell fire could be heard coming from Hog's head in. Fortunately for the two brother most of the villagers had already gone to sleep.

The talk with Aberforth hadn't gone according to plan. It was as Albus had excepted. A few hexes he could handle but the force behind his brother's spells was something Albus would like to avoid for the time being, which was why he currently was trying to counter every spell Aberforth send his way.

"Redactum skullus," bellowed a furious Aberforth as he jumped over the counter of the bar.

Albus, who had already predicted his brother's move, quickly deflected the hex that had been sent his way and ran for the door. Usually Albus wouldn't flee a fight but it was clear that Aberforth would stop at nothing to punish him for his foolishness.

"Come back here you foul git, so I can shrink your head to match the size of your pea brain!"

But it was too late Albus was running away from his little brother, as a dog with its tail between its legs. He'll need a few days at most. He'll come around at some point. Thought a hopeful Albus as he hurried towards the castle.