Author's note: Hello again everyone! I trust you all had an enjoyable Christmas (or as enjoyable as it can be during the current circumstances!) This chapter is the last one for Christmas, we'll be back to Hogwarts next time, but I wanted to build on the girls' friendships. I actually really like this chapter (if I do say so myself), there's a bit of a mixture – some laughs (I hope), and some more emotional moments. As I said before, I really want to build the female friendships and I think the Christmas chapters explore more of Allegra, Lily, Phoebe and Marlene together and apart.

As always, I own nothing but my OCs and plot. Any reviews or constructive criticism are welcome – enjoy!

Chapter 10

'What about this one?' Phoebe asked, holding a navy blue dress against her body.

'No.' Marlene finished chewing the pepper imp she was eating, 'I still think the red.'

'Red velvet? You don't think it's too..?' Phoebe trailed off.

'Too?' Marlene asked.

Phoebe shrugged her shoulders, 'Christmassy.'

Marlene let out a bark of a laugh.

'I don't know if you've noticed Phoebe, but it is Christmas,' interjected Allegra.

'I'm so jealous, red clashes horribly with my hair,' Lily sighed, without looking up from painting her nails a deep violet.

The four friends were in the Hawthorne residence, getting ready for the Boxing Day party which would take place in a few hours. Phoebe was fretting over which dress to wear whilst Allegra was trying to do something with her hair.

'Stick some music on Phoebe,' came Marlene's muffled voice, pulling a navy jumper over her head.

'Oooo yes! Allegra what are you doing?'

Noting Lily's tone and seeing her friend's confused face, Allegra sensed her attempt at putting her hair into an elegant twist was not going well.

'Phoebe do you have nothing else but Gianni Giancome records?' Marlene mused, flicking through the collection at the foot of Phoebe's bed.

A light blush crept up Phoebe's neck.

'He has a nice voice,' she responded weakly.

'He's been through more middle-aged women than a barrel of Three Broomsticks gillywater,' huffed Allegra, still struggling with her hair.

There was a beat of silence before her three friends burst into cackles.

Allegra turned, 'it's true!'

'How do you know?' gasped Lily through laughter as Marlene rolled around the bed clutching her side.

'One of dad's friends in work. His cousin works for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and has worked his security detail before.' Allegra explained.

Phoebe was sitting cross legged, red dress draped over her shoulder, mouth agape.

'Wait, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement oversaw his security detail?' Lily asked, curiosity lacing her tone.

'Mmhmm,' Allegra groaned, pulling at her hair, 'why?'

'Don't you think that's a bit bizarre? Why would a Ministry department look after a reasonably famous singer, couldn't he just get a private company to do that?' Lily asked, a distant look in her eyes.

'Maybe its cheaper?' Marlene mused, lacing her boots up.

'Mmm maybe..'

'Wait, didn't he make some announcement about one of his tours?' Phoebe asked.

'You'd know, I'm sure,' Marlene replied with a wink, Phoebe rolled her eyes.

'Now you mention it I do remember, didn't he say that he'd hoped his fans would still buy tickets because the war wasn't really a war, or something similarly ridiculous,' frowned Allegra.

'I'll go back to my point, all about the money,' Marlene yawned.

Lily still had that curious look on her face, but taking pity on the still struggling Allegra, she made her way over the help with her hair.

'What have you done?' Lily teased.

'I just wanted it to look nice,' Allegra whined.

'You did not succeed,' Phoebe laughed, before ducking as Allegra through a slipper at her head.

'Merlin Allegra I'm glad you're not a chaser!' Marlene exclaimed as Lily and Phoebe laughed, even Allegra was suppressing a smile, rolling her eyes at her friends.

/

Not long after the four girls found themselves mingling with members of the Ministry and the extended Hawthorne family. Every year was a spectacular party but this year Mrs Hawthorne really had outdone herself – there was mountains and mountains of food – turkey curry, mini roast potatoes, jollof rice, fruit cake – as well as a number of fantastically coloured fruit cocktails and decorations adorning their large living room and kitchen – red and green streamers, floating lanterns and delicious candy canes.

'Allegra, I'm trying this move, the sloth grip roll? Could you give me any pointers?' Charlie Hawthorne was looking expectantly up at Allegra.

'Sure Charlie, although it took me a while to master it myself,' she replied.

'Fredrick Forrester did it against the Chudley Cannons at the weekend, it was awesome!' Charlie enthused.

'Well I'm not surprised, we all know how rubbish the Cannons are,' Allegra teased.

Charlie flushed.

'We're definitely going to have a better season this year, we got Hunnel and Sarina Hedlbrock – she was one of the best in the league at collecting quaffle drops last season,' he rushed out.

'True, but I think that nasty wrist injury is still playing up, she's nowhere near as consistent as last year – did you not see the fumble she made against the Falcons…'

Meanwhile, Marlene and Lily were having a rather spirited discussion with Mrs Hawthorne's sister, Hannah, and Ernest Errington of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

'- I just don't understand why after all these years we haven't at least debated introducing new laws that would give better protection to house elves,' Marlene exasperated.

'Study after study shows that house elves are completely satisfied with their conditions,' Errington replied, rather pompously.

'That's because they're terrified,' replied Hannah pointedly.

'And it's all they know,' intoned Lily.

'Exactly, it's been passed down from generation to generation, we need to break the cycle.' Hannah took a sip of her mulled mead.

'Really we should be looking at the owners, what laws could be introduced to ensure they're not going to abuse their position?' Lily asked.

'But even that, the term "owners", we're giving free reign to Wizards and Witches because house elves are their property, but we shouldn't be able to own creatures like this.' Marlene stated passionately.

Errington started. 'You'd want to enfranchise house elves?!'

'And why not! -'

'- Honestly Phoebe, just make some small talk with him, a five minute conversation won't hurt you,' Heather Hawthorne whispered furiously to her daughter, smile never leaving her face.

'But I don't even know if this is something I want to do!' Phoebe whispered back just as furiously.

'It's good to have options!' Heather's smile was now turning into a fully deranged grin.

'Mum.'

Phoebe grabbed her mother by the arm and took her into the back garden, away from the crowd of people and noise.

'I didn't want to do this here, today. Please don't interrupt!' Phoebe whispered strongly, holding her hand up to her mother who promptly closed her mouth.

'I love you so much, I know you have my best interests at heart. But I really, really do not want to work an office job, 9-5 everyday doing something I don't even enjoy. I want to work with animals, maybe become a vet, I don't want to do this.' She sighed, anxiety gripping at her throat, prepared for the explosion.

Heather Hawthorne's expression melted into a soft smile, she cupped her daughter's face.

'Darling, I would never force you into anything you didn't want to do, I only suggested it because I know how much you love your little debate club.'

Phoebe's eyes widened.

'Really?'

'Of course! I just want to encourage you to think clearly about your future because it will come fast, but if working with animals is what you want to do then I'll fully support that.' Heather smiled.

Phoebe hugged her mother.

'I didn't mean to snap, I just don't want to disappoint you, or dad, but especially you,' her voice muffled against Heather's neck.

'Darling, you could never disappoint us.'

'Not even if I ran away and joined a muggle circus?' Phoebe teased.

Heather cringed.

'Well...'

Phoebe burst into laughter, which her mother soon followed.

'Oh Merlin,' sighed Heather, wiping tears from her eyes, 'anyway, what's a vet?'

/

'Why is Marlene making a face like a squashed potato?' Lily mused to Allegra.

'Hmm?' Allegra hummed, her mouth stuffed with turkey curry. She'd just returned from almost an hour outside in the freezing cold weather with Charlie trying to perfect the sloth grip roll and was starving. And thirsty.

'Marlene,' Lily inclined her head to Marlene, who was glancing in their direction every few seconds.

Allegra frowned. 'Why is she trying to wink? She knows she can't.'

'Do you think she wants something?'

'Maybe its just a twitch.' Phoebe had come up behind them, stealing a cocktail sausage from Allegra's plate.

'Oi!'

'No, she's trying to tell us something,' Lily insisted.

The three friends tilted their heads slightly to the left.

'You're right Lil, her face does look like a squashed potato,' murmured Allegra.

Phoebe chuckled into her glass of gillywater.

Marlene rolled her eyes and made her way over to where they were standing.

'Honestly, you three!' Marlene's eyes darted around, making sure there was no one listening to their conversation.

'What on earth were you doing with your face?' Phoebe asked, matter of fact.

Marlene rolled her eyes. 'I was giving the signal!'

'The signal?' a bemused Lily asked.

'Yes, the signal! The signal!' Marlene looked between her three bewildered friends, rolling her eyes again, 'I was winking for you to follow me outside!'

'Marlene we've told you this before, you can't wink,' deadpanned Allegra.

Lily snorted.

Marlene looked affronted and began to open her mouth.

'Never mind whatever smart retort was going to come out of that mouth, what do you want?' Phoebe asked rather impatiently.

Marlene must have decided it would be prudent not to snap at that, instead she looked round her again and whispered, 'follow me.'

The four made their way past a few guests, smiling and muttering "Hellos" in greeting, and had almost made it to the living room door when a voice called behind them.

'Lily, I was hoping to see you!' Ernest Errington's son, Arnest was making his way steadily over to the group, Marlene groaned from beside Phoebe.

'Quick Allegra, trade lives with me!' Lily whispered.

'No.'

Arnest was a third year Ravenclaw, with muddy brown hair and large glasses. Allegra had never even heard him speak before.

Arnest had caught up with them, a wide grin plastered over his face.

'Hello Arnest,' Lily attempted a smile.

'I must say, I rather enjoyed the debate you were having with my father on elf rights,' he beamed.

'What am I, a potted plant?' Marlene muttered.

Phoebe and Allegra snorted.

'Oh yes, haha, quite.' Lily continued her weird fake smile.

'I find you very enchanting,' Arnest had now grabbed Lily's free hand and was attempting to stare deeply into her eyes, even though he was almost a head shorter.

'Does he not realise we're standing right here?' Phoebe asked under her breath.

'I don't think he cares,' replied Allegra.

She was right, seconds later Arnest had produced a sprig of mistletoe from behind his back. Lily's face went pale, Allegra and Phoebe were now fighting back laughter at Marlene's bemused face and the sight of Arnest Errington standing on tip toes, lips puckered, and eyes closed.

'Oh, oh no thank you,' Lily stammered, pushing the mistletoe back at Arnest, 'no I don't want that.'

Allegra thought her chest was going to explode from barely concealed laughter, she'd never experienced anything more excruciatingly awkward.

'We have to go now,' Phoebe said, the only one able to say anything as Marlene still couldn't seem to believe what was taking place.

Arnest dropped the mistletoe with a sigh and turned on his heel.

'What in the name...' came Marlene's bewildered tone, as Phoebe finally managed to get the group out of the living room and upstairs into her bedroom.

'Did that just happen?' Lily murmured as soon as the door was shut. Allegra and Phoebe were bent double with laughter, tears streaming down their faces.

'Wow, that was… I have no words for what that was,' Marlene shook her head.

Lily was still in shock.

'Did that really just happen?'

Allegra and Phoebe were now attempting to re-enact the scene.

'- I find you very enchanting,' Allegra spluttered whilst holding Phoebe's hand, who was still crying from laughter.

'Oh, you three,' Lily muttered weakly.

Marlene had decided to join in, pretending to be the unused mistletoe.

'Oh, oh no,' Phoebe was now laughing so hard she couldn't speak.

Lily shook her head, 'stop, c'mon.'

They continued laughing.

'Stop,' Lily implored.

The other three had now collapsed on the bed.

'Stop!'

Their chuckles abated.

Lily pointed her finger at Marlene, 'your first kiss ended in him giving you a nosebleed,'

She turned to Phoebe, 'you tripped over your shoes and fell into a puddle on your very first date in Hogsmeade.'

Allegra hiccupped a laugh.

'And you,' Lily had now rounded on Allegra, 'have never even had a crush!'

All three girls looked at Lily.

'That's because I find you very enchanting,' deadpanned Allegra.

They dissolved into laughter once more, even Lily joined in.

/

After a while their laughter subsided, lying on Phoebe's bed.

'So, Marlene, are you going to at least tell us why you dragged us out of my mother's living room?' Phoebe asked, pulling at a thread on her duvet cover.

Marlene sat up, chewing her lip, contemplating what to say.

Lily frowned watching Marlene.

'Is everything alright?' Lily asked gently.

'It's Mandy.'

Despite the six-year age gap, Marlene and her sister were close. Lily, Phoebe and Allegra liked Mandy too, she was exceptionally pretty, and to three then first years, the coolest person in Hogwarts.

'She's not engaged to The Bore, is she?' Phoebe joked.

'No, not that,' Marlene's voice was uncharacteristically serious. 'She's fallen in love with someone else.'

'Well that's good isn't it? I mean I know it's a bit messy, but none of you really liked Trevor, did you?' Allegra asked diplomatically.

'It's slightly more complicated than that,' Marlene was fiddling with her hands, unable to look anyone in the eye.

'She's in love with a woman.'

There was a beat of silence, followed by a sharp intake of breath.

'Does, anyone else know?' Phoebe asked quietly.

Marlene shook her head.

'She told me yesterday but didn't give much detail, only that they'd met in work and nothing had happened. "I met someone in work, and I just, I dunno I just… I know," that's what she said.' Marlene finished.

'Is Mandy worried about what your family will think?' Lily asked.

Marlene sighed. 'Honestly I don't know. I love her no matter what, and I'm sure my parents will as well, I think it's herself she's struggling with. Mandy always knew who she was, what she wanted, her plans. Now she's met someone, a woman, and it's blown apart who she thought she was.'

Allegra put an arm around Marlene's shoulder, 'Mandy will always be Mandy, she just so happens to love someone different.'

'And anyone would be better than Trevor,' teased Lily lightly.

'I'm just worried about her,' Marlene's voice was thick with emotion, her eyes full of tears unshed.

'The best thing you can do is support her, and not treat her any differently. Talk to her and let her know you'll support her.' Phoebe was on Marlene's other side, her arm slung around her other shoulder.

Allegra, Lily and Phoebe engulfed Marlene in a hug.

'Just think, it could be worse,' Allegra mused, her three friends looked at her with questioning eyes, 'she could be Arnest Errington's unused mistletoe.'

Not for the first time that afternoon, they fell into laughter.

/

'Elle,' whispered Lily, 'Elle.'

'Mmm,' Allegra hummed.

'Are you awake?'

'Sure,' replied Allegra, sleepily.

'I've woken you,' Lily was whispering again.

'S'ok,' yawned Allegra, she hadn't opened her eyes.

Marlene was in Phoebe's room, Allegra and Lily were sharing a bed in the spare room. The Boxing Day party having ended hours ago with Phoebe's grandmother, Lynette, leading the final guests on a conga out the door – she hadn't touched a drop of alcohol but at 82 partied harder than anyone else.

'Lil what's up?' Allegra rubbed her eyes; she could feel Lily fidgeting behind her and knew her friend wouldn't rest until she'd got whatever she needed to off her chest.

Lily sighed, 'did you have a nice Christmas?'

'Yes, it was fine. Although I don't think it was Christmas you wanted to talk about.'

'It sort of is,' Lily sighed again, 'Christmas and… my sister.'

Allegra thought snotty Petunia might have something to do with this, she just about put up with Lily's abhorrent sister on their trip to France for her friend's sake. Petunia was cruel to Lily because she was jealous, anyone with eyes could see that. Jealous that Lily had her mother's eyes, that she was pretty and vivacious and smart – but most of all, Petunia was jealous of Lily because she was a witch – and she would hate her because of this until her dying day.

'What did she say?' Allegra asked gently, now fully awake.

'The usual,' said Lily in a small voice.

'Not the usual Lil, or else you wouldn't still be thinking about it,' stated Allegra kindly. She knew this was a delicate matter for Lily.

There was silence for a minute, Lily shifted onto her back behind Allegra.

'No, not the usual.' Lily's voice sounded dead, lifeless.

Allegra inhaled slightly, Lily moved again, onto her side now, away from her friend.

'She said I was nothing, that I'd be nothing. That I'd leave Hogwarts, and no one would want me, not even my parents.' Lily's voice wobbled.

Allegra felt a flash of anger, she turned and hugged her friend.

'You are not nothing, you are not no one. You're Lily Evans, my best friend, one of the smartest, best, funniest people in our year – you are something very few people are, you're good Lil, a genuinely good person, do you know how few truly good people there are? Petunia is not one of those people, she never will be, and deep down that's why she is the way she is. As for your parents, I think you could murder someone and they'd still adore you, I'd wager your dad would help bury the body. And leaving Hogwarts with no one? For someone so smart you can be so blind, we will never leave you. You're my best friend Lil, my best friend, you certainly won't be getting rid of me that easily.' Allegra finished fiercely.

Lily let out a quiet sob, squeezing Allegra's wrists, 'you're more a sister to me than Petunia ever could be.'

'Best friends,' whispered Allegra.

'Best friends,' Lily replied, a watery smile on her face.