Author's note: Hello everyone! I hope we're all keeping well and looking forward to Christmas - another chapter up today, which, fittingly, is another Christmas special! I really do hope everyone that has stuck with the story so fat is enjoying it - as always I own only my OCs and plot and I would really appreciate any constructive criticism or comments, maybe a nice early Christmas present :). Enjoy everyone!

Chapter 9

'Smart arse! SMART ARSE!'

Phoebe groaned as heavy steps thudded up the stairs.

'IT'S CHRISTMAS!' Charlie Hawthorne, her younger brother, burst into Phoebe's room, 'get up smart arse, c'mon!'

'Charlie, geroff!' Phoebe yelped as her twelve year old brother jumped onto the bottom of her bed.

'You're boring.'

Phoebe could hear the annoyance in his voice.

'Did you wake Christopher up like this?' Phoebe asked quizzically as she took off her satin scarf.

'He was already awake, you're the bore Phoebe,' Charlie was a very precocious second year, who had, to no one's surprise, been sorted into Ravenclaw.

Phoebe ruffled his short hair affectionately. 'Alright idiot, lets go open some presents then.'

Charlie grinned brightly and the two made their way downstairs into a living room full of activity.

Phoebe's mother, Heather, was cooking eggs in the kitchen, wand aloft as she sang along to the radio. Her father, Turner, was pouring out glasses of gillywater as Christopher, the eldest Hawthorne child and recent Hogwarts graduate, was sitting with presents around him, waiting to unwrap.

'Well finally!' Chris got up from the sofa and hugged Phoebe, 'Merry Christmas curls,' grinned Chris, ruffling Phoebe's hair gently.

'Merry Christmas darling!' Turner chimed in, kissing Phoebe on her forehead.

'Present time!' Charlie rubbed his hands together, eyes darting around trying to decide which to open first.

'This one Charlie,' Chris threw a well wrapped present to his little brother.

Phoebe was swept up in the excitement of her younger brother. She had never particularly liked Christmas, always felt like it was overblown, her family on the other hand, went all out. Her father was a muggleborn and had even decorated their house every year with muggle lights.

Phoebe excused herself and went to her mother in the kitchen.

'My love,' Heather pulled her into a tight hug, 'your acting is improving year on year,' she chuckled.

'Would you like any help mum?'

Heather Hawthorne catered for her side of the family every year - Phoebe's grandmother, her aunt, uncle and two cousins - all loud and cheerful. Phoebe watched her mother as she continued to make breakfast, she hid her pain well. They did not speak with her father's side of the family, apparently they could accept their son marrying a witch, but not a Black woman. After a blazing row with his furious mother, and some offensive words said about his then fiancée, Turner Hawthorne walked out of his house, hand in hand with Heather, and never walked in again.

'Can Auntie Hannah not do Christmas one year? You do it all the time, and you have your Boxing Day party as well, it doesn't seem very fair,' mused Phoebe as she began grilling bacon.

Heather tutted, 'you worry too much.'

Phoebe held back her retort, it wouldn't do to start an argument on Christmas morning.

'Are the girls still coming tomorrow?' Heather asked.

'Mmhmm, Lily is bringing a cake, Allegra brownies and Marlene is promising some homemade punch,' Phoebe replied nonchalantly.

Heather raised an eyebrow. 'I'm not even going to ask about the punch.'

'No, I decided not to either,' Phoebe grinned.

'You know Alverus Hape will be coming tomorrow,' Phoebe could sense where this conversation was heading, Hape was deputy head of the Department for Magical Cooperation.

'Oh really,' replied Phoebe evenly.

'I was thinking you could talk to him, you know, about the internship?' Heather stated.

'Hmm maybe..' Phoebe said lightly.

'Phoebe, this is important -'

' - a Nimbus? Yes!' Charlie shouted from the living room and Phoebe was able to make her escape, feigning excitement as she grabbed her little brother into a hug and began discussing broomsticks.

'Maybe Allegra could show me some tips tomorrow,' Charlie said enthusiastically, looking up at Phoebe, who couldn't help but share his joy. She grinned.

'I'm sure she'd be honoured.'

/

'Oh mum I love it!' Marlene exclaimed, examining a miniature Quidditch set.

'What am I then, a ghost?' chuckled Marlene's father, Harrison.

Marlene grinned. 'Thank you, both of my parents,' she gave a mock bow as her father laughed again.

'You really do like it?' Patricia asked anxiously.

'It's perfect mum, honest,' Marlene grinned again. 'What time are Mandy and the bore coming over at?'

'Marlene!' Patricia chastised.

'Awk mum c'mon, you even said it yourself!'

'Trevor is quiet, he's a nice boy and your sister loves him,' argued Patricia weakly.

Marlene rolled her eyes. 'Nice? That is the single worst descriptor of someone, who wants to be known as just nice?'

'Maybe it's something you could take heed of young lady!' Patricia snapped.

'Oooooooh,' chimed Marlene and her father.

'Oh you two!' Patricia sounded frustrated, but the twitch in her mouth gave her away.

'Marls has a point love,' Harrison said evenly.

'Oh alright, he's a snooze fest, and if he starts talking one more time about the correct way to keep devils snare as a house plant I may lose my mind. But, Mandy loves him, and that's all that matters I suppose.' Patricia finished with a sigh.

Marlene snorted and her father chuckled again.

'The stuff romantic dreams are made of,' Marlene teased.

'Marlene,' her mother warned.

'Alright, alright, I desist,' Marlene threw her hands up in mock retreat, 'I better start to get ready before the lovebirds arrive,' she wriggled her eyebrows and made her way to the bedroom.

Marlene's older sister Mandy had moved in with her boyfriend of a year a few months ago. Trevor was a nice enough guy, Marlene at least acknowledged that, she just always thought Mandy would have ended up with someone who at least had a sense of humour. Trevor was a herbologist, and if the conversation did not include some type of reference to plants then he was not interested. Quite frankly, Marlene was surprised her sister hadn't run out of things to say to him.

A few hours later, Marlene heard the doorbell as she was playing a game of exploding snap with her father. She gave her sister a warm hug and nodded to Trevor, who looked around the house, awkward as usual.

'Merry Christmas Marls!' Mandy beamed.

'How was your first Christmas in your new home?' Asked Marlene.

'Oh, you know,' replied her sister airily. Mandy was now hugging their parents whilst Marlene was left to entertain a hovering Trevor.

'Have you had a nice day Trevor?' Marlene asked awkwardly.

'Oh yes, yes, quite satisfactory,' he replied.

Marlene nodded, giving him a tight smile. Thankfully, she was saved from any further awkwardness by her father.

'Trevor! Butterbeer?' Harrison wrung the young mans hand and thrust a glass bottle at him.

'Oh, oh, yes, th.. thank you Mr McKinnon!' Trevor spluttered out.

Marlene caught her father's eye, both looked away quickly.

A full turkey, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, and a variety of mixed vegetables later, the McKinnon family and Trevor were sitting around the table, a good old fashioned game of charades under way.

'A hippergrin, no, no, a flobbgerm!' Patricia hiccuped out, Harrison was almost crying with laughter. After the stress of making a dinner, just three gillywaters later and Marlene's mother was more than tipsy.

'It's a bowtruckle mum!' Mandy snorted. 'C'mon Marls, we'll sort out dessert.'

'What dutiful daughters we have Harry!' Patricia's face was red, whilst her husband was looking at her with a look of pure adoration. Marlene followed her sister into the kitchen, chuckling under her breath.

'Having a nice day Mandy,' Marlene asked conversationally.

'Mmhmm,' replied Mandy, slicing up the treacle tart with her wand.

'It nice seeing mum and dad like this,' Marlene mused.

'I think I'm going to break up with Trevor.'

Marlene started, looking over at her sister, whose hand was shaking.

'But you only moved in together two months ago,' Marlene said in hushed tones.

'I know, Marlene, I know,' Mandy sighed and ducked her head, she was still shaking and when she raised her head Marlene saw tears in her sister's bright blue eyes.

'I met someone in work, and I just, I dunno I just... I know,' Mandy finished lamely. 'Nothings happened, our team went for lunch and we sat beside each other, I felt like I've known her my whole life.'

Marlene was staring at her sister, her beautiful, confident, sister, who'd never looked smaller. 'Her?' Marlene asked gently.

Mandy couldn't look her in the eye, just nodded her head.

'Oh Mandy,' Marlene enveloped her sister in a hug. The two sisters stood like that for what felt like an eternity. 'Let's get through today, and we'll deal with this tomorrow. Just know I love you.'

Mandy tightened her arms and gave Marlene one last squeeze.

'You're right,' she wiped her eyes and straightened her back, 'tomorrows another day.'

/

'Oh Merlin's beard,' Allegra sucked her index finger which was stinging after burning it on the pot of mashed potatoes her mother had tasked her with watching.

'Il mio amore,' came a soft voice behind Allegra, who felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

'I'm alright Noni, just a small burn,' Allegra reassured her worried grandmother, who tutted whilst riffling through their medical basket.

Allegra's grandparents, Laurent and Vittoria, were staying with them for Christmas and Athena had to practically wrestle Vittoria out of the kitchen. Now that her mother had excused herself to the bathroom, her grandmother had taken her chance and was prowling over the simmering food.

'Noni! You're meant to be relaxing, mama will kill you if she finds you in here,' Allegra tried to hustle her grandmother out of the kitchen.

'You worry too much mia cara, I'm just checking on you. I haven't seen you in months, can a grandmother not want to spend time with her granddaughter?' Noni took Allegra's chin in her hand gently and smiled.

Allegra took her grandmothers soft hands in her own and kissed them gently. 'Oh Noni, we both know that's not true. You're far more interested in the tortellini broth.'

Noni chuckled warmly.

'Ah mama!' Athena had returned and immediately flustered, 'you'll never leave, will you?'

'Mia cara, set the table.' Noni grinned mischievously as she took up position stirring the broth with her wand.

Allegra wandered over to the cabinet with the fancy crockery and cutlery, removing each item gently as her mother and grandmother chattered away in rapid Italian. After setting the table, Allegra sat down, chin lent on her hand, watching Noni and mama affectionately, a small smile on her face.

'Well wench, is my dinner ready yet?' Conleth had entered the kitchen, hands over his stomach and a teasing tone as he looked at his wife, who threw the tea towel she was holding at him. He waved his wand lazily and sent it straight back to Athena.

'Next year you can cook dinner I think,' Athena feigned annoyance and turned her back on her husband.

'Hmm I didn't think we wanted to give the family poisoning for their Christmas present,' Conleth chuckled and wrapped his arms around his wife's abdomen, kissing her cheek.

Allegra made a gagging noise.

'What? Can't a man show affection to his wife?' Conleth asked innocently.

'Not in front of me please,' deadpanned Allegra, 'besides, you can make the gravy.'

'Noooo, no, no,' Noni sprang into action before Allegra's father could even touch a pot.

'The way the British make their gravy, unacceptable,' muttered Noni.

'I'm Irish!' Conleth explained.

'And you make your gravy the same way, terribly,' Noni was not impressed, Allegra and Athena giggled. 'You can pour the drinks though, if you want to be useful.'

'And I wonder where you get it from,' Conleth muttered under his breath to his wife as he shook his head.

Finally, the whole family were seated round the table, which was piled up with delicious roast potatoes, turkey, tortellini broth, vegetables, gravy, potato gnocchi and mash as well as three varieties of elf wine, gillywater and butterbeer.

There was a lively debate going on between Allegra, her father and grandfather over the Irish and Italian national Quidditch teams.

' - Connolly is a far superior seeker, he just had an off game,'

' - I don't disagree, however, the Italian attack is far more potent,'

'You know it pains me to say it, but grandfather is right - Garibaldi, Romero and Ricci are far superior chasers. They tire teams out because they're so incessant,' Allegra stated.

'Allegra!' Conleth feigned mock horror. 'Traitor.'

Allegra shrugged her shoulders, 'it's true.'

Her grandfather chuckled, 'I've finally succeeded.'

'Hold on, I still support Ireland! I'm just not as biased as dad!' Allegra grinned.

'What happened to your reserve 'keeper - Bianchi?' Conleth asked.

'He disappeared,' her grandfather frowned, 'no trace of him, then he was found, not that long ago - a single bruise on his torso.'

'The killing curse,' murmured Conleth.

Both Athena and Vittoria, who had been conversing gently in Italian, were now all ears.

Grandfather nodded his head gravely.

'Why didn't you say before?' Athena asked sharply.

'We didn't think it was worth bothering you with,' stated grandfather evenly.

'He's on the move, not just the UK and Ireland anymore,' stated Athena, more to herself than anyone else.

'You don't know it's him Athena, it could have been anyone. Gambling, debts, anything! Besides, what would You-Know-Who want in Italy - you're overreacting,' her father was trying to placate.

'Oh don't be so obtuse Conleth! The Bianchi's are a very wealthy pure blood Italian family, it makes sense they'd try and get him on side.' Athena countered.

'You worry too much,' Conleth went to put his hand on his wife's.

'Don't patronise me! You underestimate what's going on in the world, either that or you are wilfully blind, and if that's the case then you're just as bad as the imbeciles at the Ministry!' Athena fumed.

'I'm not simple Athena, I'm merely saying not every death is because of You-Know-Who! Besides, you're not the one who works in the Ministry, they're all worried because they have no idea what to do. It would be best not to anger him,' Conleth was beginning to lose his temper.

'Best not to anger him?' Athena's voice was deadly still, 'I would fight him and all who stand with him to the death if necessary, I will never hide behind my blood status!'

'Enough you two! It's Christmas Day,' Noni had stood, looking between her daughter and son-in-law, 'enough.'

There was an uneasy silence around the table as Laurent cleared the dishes with a wave of his wand and Athena fetched the dessert.

Allegra had never seen her parents argue like that before, especially in front of her grandparents, she was slightly shaken, and resolved to keep an eye on them. The rest of the day passed calmly enough, there was an air of unspoken words, however, games and wine gave way to a more relaxed atmosphere and Noni helped Allegra make the brownies she would be taking to the Hawthorne's annual Boxing Day party the next day.

That night, as Allegra lay in bed, she thought over the days events. Apart from the argument at dinner she had enjoyed the day, especially having her grandparents staying. However, she couldn't stop thinking about her parents behaviour and was reminded of the argument she'd overheard them having in the summer. Allegra was shaken from her thoughts with a soft knock on her door, her mother entered her room and perched herself on Allegra's bed.

'Are you alright my sweet?' Athena asked softly.

Allegra nodded.

'I'm sorry about dinner, your father and I should not have behaved like that,' Athena's voice was tinged with regret.

'It's okay, dessert more than made up for it,' Allegra attempted a half-hearted joke.

Athena climbed into bed beside her, hugging her gently from behind, stroking her hair.

'I don't want to scare you darling,' Athena whispered.

'Mum, I know there's a war going on,' Allegra also lowered her voice, 'and the truth is, I am scared.'

Athena tightened her grip on her daughter.

'You and dad, you're alright though? I mean, you're not going to split up?' Allegra asked in a small voice.

'Oh darling, I love your father with all my heart. It makes his faults all the more painful,' sighed Athena.

'His cowardice?' Allegra ventured.

Athena sighed in response. 'He is scared, and for good reason. But remember this darling, the passive observer is almost as dangerous as the person that inflicts the pain. And our values are worth fighting for, dying for.'

Allegra felt her heart speed up. 'You're fighting, aren't you? You're opposing him?'

'I'm not fighting darling, you know I'm not much good with curses and jinxes,' Athena kissed the back of her daughter's head.

'But you're doing..other things..' retorted Allegra.

Athena sighed again. 'Let's not talk of this now, not at Christmas. Are you looking forward to seeing your friends tomorrow?'

Allegra knew there was no use continuing to question her mother. 'Yes, I am. Phoebe's mum always knocks up good food.'

Athena slapped Allegra's arm gently. 'And mine isn't?' She feigned annoyance.

'Hmm its a close call..'

'Right, that's it!' Athena began to tickle her daughter.

'Nooo mum please, stop!' Allegra wheezed with laughter.

'Take it back!' Athena continued to tickle her.

'Alright, alright, you're the best cook that ever lived!' She had a stitch in her side from laughing so much.

'Yes I thought so,' whispered Athena smugly.

Allegra lay in her mother's arms, only the sound of their breathing could be heard.

'Mama,' Allegra's voice was barely above a whisper.

'Yes darling,' Athena was now braiding Allegra's hair gently.

'Is it, well, I mean. Is it weird that I don't like anyone?' Allegra asked.

'Like anyone? Don't you like your friends? Your family?' Athena asked in a puzzled voice.

'No, I mean like someone. A boy.' Her voice was small.

'Mia cara, you're fourteen years old, I'm not at all surprised you're not interested in any boys.' Athena soothed, humour lacing her voice.

'You mean, it's normal?'

'I didn't have my first boyfriend until I was sixteen, and I hadn't even looked at a boy until then,' her mother said in a soft, even voice.

Allegra felt relief flood through her.

'Besides, you have more important things to worry about - like Quidditch,'

'That's what I said!' Allegra exclaimed.

Both mother and daughter burst into a fit of giggles, continuing to talk into the night, until eventually they fell asleep in each other's arms.