A/N – This chapter is 4,500 words long, pretty crazy! Evidently got a bit carried away writing…

Enjoy and as always Disney owns it all.

Chapter 29

The first weekend of November was when Family Day was being held. Due to the weather the event had been moved indoors, this did make it easier for the art display that would be happening.

Carlos and Jay were just going to spend the day together, if nothing else the food at the event was worth making the effort to attend. They had no one to actually catch up with though - although Jay may briefly be introduced to Lonnie's parents.

Evie was planning to spend some of the event with Snow White and the remainder with Doug's parents. She'd been for dinner with them over the summer, and it had gone well, but this would be their first interaction at the school.

Gil had been asked by Ben if he's be willing to meet his own parents, Belle and Adam. Gil, understandably, was the most nervous about the day due to this meeting. Mal had been able to reassure him that the former King and Queen were genuinely kind people and as it was pre-arranged there shouldn't be any shock like the one held the previous spring just before the coronation.

Even Harry had been requested to meet with a fellow student's family. Jane Darling clearly had a sweet spot for the pirate, unfortunately this had cost the girl a few of her friends back at the beginning of term. She'd asked him if he'd meet her parents, it would be peculiar to meet someone who actually knew his father before the isle as so few people had ever ventured to Neverland. If Harry wasn't careful he'd end up with three sisters! Both Evie and Mal had taken the younger girl under their wing and hoped the meeting would go well.

Mal had volunteered to help at Mrs Fitz's art stand the whole afternoon, as similarly to Jay and Carlos there was no one there for her to meet although she would meet plenty of people as they flowed through the art area.

Despite it being a Saturday Evie was up bright and early to ensure that all six of them had something smart to wear for the day. They were the Isle's only representation, so they had to make the most of it.

Evie and Mal would both be wearing simple, relatively plain dresses that roughly came to their knees. Mal's was purple and would be paired with the latest 'pirate' style jacket she had made, which was black. Evie's was a royal blue colour with a red bolero to match. The footwear was still a bone of contention between the dorm mates however.

The boys were all wearing smart editions of their Isle clothes. Jay and Carlos were happy to accept anything the blue haired girl gave them as long as they weren't forced into suits like the previous year. Gil was actually happy to wear a suit, so Evie had designed one in his preferred colours. Harry had been the most difficult, Evie had argued that the long, red leather coat had to go for the day. As an alternative, she'd produced a dark grey pea coat that the pirate had grudgingly accepted, only because Mal had been in the room and said he'd looked good in it.

By 10am the group were all ready to go for the afternoon's events. They were walking down to the main hall to help set up, they'd all managed to be roped in during the last week.

Mal was assisting with getting all the art work sorted. Each student from the AP class had their own board to display their work. Mal had picked a group shot she'd done of her and her friends on one of the school's picnic benches along with the Jolly Roger, and the portrait of her Dad.

She also had a separate board to showcase her pieces of the Isle of the Lost. This is where she'd mostly be based to answer any questions people may have about what they were looking at. From the pieces she'd selected the Isle's main sections were on display along with all her friends childhood homes (if you could even call them homes!).

Mrs Fitz had also arranged for some of the photography work to be printed off, these were all jumbled up so the parents would probably never work out who had taken what but it showcased what they had been doing which was the whole point.

While she was setting up the art stand she could see her friends had been asked to help sort out all the tables for food to be placed on and set up seating areas to allow people to catch up. She tried not to laugh when she spotted the task Harry had been assigned - he was blowing up a range of coloured balloons and attempting to tie them onto a 'welcoming archway' as Fairy Godmother had described it earlier in the day.

"Students, students - into your places please!" shouted Fairy Godmother shouted as she bustled into the room, "the guests will be arriving in five minutes."

This caused a group of students to head over to the stage where they would be performing an opining number. For today's event they'd decided to perform 'Go the Distance'.

Fairy Godmother had spotted Harry who was still attempting to tie the balloons on, "Mr Hook, please let me affix them to the arch" she said, causing those in hearing range to laugh.

"Thank you, you should have spoken to Mal if you'd wanted the artists eye" he said, thankfully the pirate knew he was struggling to make the arch look welcoming.

It took the headmistress all of 20 seconds to have all the balloons looking as though they were meant to be there.

It was only a couple of minutes later that the friends and family of the other students began to file into the hall. They'd all been instructed to congregate in the middle of the room to watch the opening performance. The six VK's had all gone to stand together by the art work stand to watch the performance.

Soon the band were playing the opening chords of the song.

"So glad I'm not up there humiliating myself" Mal murmured to her five friends, while watching the students attempting to do some sort of dance routine to the main song from Hercules's story.

"Aye you got that right, hell would freeze over before you'd see me up there" Harry said in agreement while the other three boys nodded.

Once the slightly torturous rendition was over the students and visitors began to meet up and it wasn't long before a very excited Jane Darling was dragging two adults in the VKs direction.

"Harry, Harry, these are my parents!" she nearly squealed in excitement at the prospect of introducing her parents to her newest friend.

"Hello Mr & Mrs Darling, it's a pleasure to meet you" the boy in question said, while offering his hand to the two adults. Thankfully he'd hung his hook off the belt hoop on his trousers, in anticipation of what Wendy's reaction may have been to seeing the implement.

"Why don't we go and get a drink and have a chat Harry? And please call me Wendy" said Jane's mother while leading the small group towards the table where the tea's and coffees were currently located.

By this stage Evie had spotted Snow and headed off to meet up with her - no doubt they'd be discussing colleges and fashion. Jay and Carlos had headed off to the food table, somethings would never change no matter how long they spent with the luxuries of Auradon. This left just Mal and Gil alone at the art stand with Mrs Fitz, although both knew it wouldn't be long before Ben came for him to introduce him to his parents.

It was only a few minutes later that the two VK's spotted the three royals head right towards the art work.

"Hello Mal dear, how are you doing?" Belle asked once she was close enough, she'd always been fond of the purple haired VK.

"Very well thanks Your Majesty" she replied with a small curtsey, "now Mal we've had this conversation before, please just call me Belle." Mal just smiled in response to this.

"Now Ben" began Adam, "I take it this is young Mr Gaston?" he asked his son making a small gesture towards Gil.

"Yes sir, please call me Gil" like Harry earlier he offered the former king his hand to shake.

"Before we get to know each other, could the two of you show us the Isle artwork, Ben mentioned that Mal had a small exhibit" Belle asked the two VK's before her.

Gil and Mal led the royal family over to where the Isle paintings were, the three stood there looking at them for a few minutes just absorbing what they were seeing.

"Has it really become that bad?" Adam asked the two teens, however Ben was the one who answered.

"It's worse Dad, at least you can't smell the Isle in the pictures." thankfully Belle and Adam were fully aware of their sons' trip, well they thought they were. Ben had never disclosed anything about Harry or Gil - only Uma's involvement was mentioned.

Belle was looking at the image that had been labelled as being Mal's childhood home, "the home conditions you grew up in were horrendous Mal."

"Look at this one Belle" Mal said, indicating the one of the hideout she'd shared with her friends. "While Bargin Castle was my official home, this place was my freedom - many of my happiest memories came from there. It was where Evie, Jay, Carlos and I truly lived when our parents didn't need us."

"Thank you Mal, it's good to know you had at least a little happiness." Belle gave the girl a small smile.

At this the former King and Queen began to lead Ben and Gil away after wishing Mal a pleasant afternoon.

"Now boys, what is this I hear about you all dressing up for the Halloween party" Adam said as they moved away causing Mal to chuckle softly behind them.

The photography was proving quite popular, especially the pictures that had been put up from the recent match, thankfully Ellie was dealing with any questions - mostly parents hoping they could get a copy if their child was in it.

Soon after Jane Darling could be spotted dragging Harry by the hand across the room, her parents in tow, back towards where Mal was. The look on the pirate's face was one she'd seen whenever his sisters were mentioned, he even seemed to enjoy being dragged around by the younger girl.

When they reached Mal the pair smiled at each other. "Jane, try not to pull his arm off - he needs it too much for tourney" Mal said to the younger girl, with a grin on her face at the antics.

"Fine" she replied, while releasing Harry's hand which he quickly flexed to get the blood flow back. "Mal, is your painting of the Jolly Roger here - Mum would like to see it?"

"Sure Jane, it's over here. Mrs Darling, I'm really sorry if it brings back bad memories" Mal said as she walked to the right board, knowing that the background was off Neverland scenery.

"I'm actually quite excited to see it again - it was all such a grand adventure" Mrs Darling sighed, clearly thinking fondly of the one trip she'd had to Neverland.

Mal shot Harry a confused look at this, which Mr Darling spotted. "Despite the animosity between Captain Hook and Peter Pan, Wendy remembers Harry's father as being a charming and welcoming gentleman."

Mal knew exactly what the elder man meant having grown up around the Captain. He could be incredibly charming when the occasion suited.

"I must say you're incredibly talented dear" Wendy said to Mal. "Jane mentioned to me that your Harry's girlfriend?" Mal nodded in response to the question. "We've asked Harry if he'd like to spend some of Christmas break with us in England, the invitation is also extended to you" she finished with a soft smile to the fairy, who's jaw had dropped slightly at the invitation.

"Thank you that's incredibly kind of you" she responded once she'd recovered from the initial shock. "Do you mind if I let you know later, to be honest I hadn't even thought about the holidays yet" she shrugged at the end. Christmas had never been big on the Isle and she'd assumed she'd just spend the holiday in the dorms.

"Not a problem Mal. Harry, I'll leave you in her capable hands" with that the three Darling's paid their goodbyes and headed off for a proper family catch up.

Before long though Mrs Fitz had spotted Harry and asked him for a quick word, leaving Mal on her own again. By now Evie was with Doug and his parents - from what she could see on their faces it appeared to be going well. She'd completely lost track of what Jay and Carlos were up too, and Gil was in a rather animated discussion with the former king.

Thankfully Audrey's 'Grammy' hadn't started any issues this year but had been heard muttering quite loudly about how appalling it was that more villain children had been allowed to compete for the school. Followed by her fawning over the pictures of her granddaughter on the cheer team.

As the afternoons festivities were starting to wrap up Harry and Mrs Fitz reappeared.

"Apparently I'm coming to your art class on Monday" he said to Mal, knowing she was about to ask what had happened.

This caused Mal to laugh, "Mrs Fitz, you are aware he has almost zero artistic ability, right?"

"He told me as much, however it's to do with the fine art module." she responded before heading off to start packing stuff up.

Evie approached the table, "Mal, are you done? We need a girl chat?" she asked, giving Harry a look to make it clear he was not invited.

"Sure E" she said while looking round and spotting everyone was packing up, "let's head back to our room - Harry feel free to take your painting back." she gave her boyfriend a wave as the two girls began to head back towards the dorms.

They walked back in silence, clearly whatever Evie had to say it was big news to the girl and she wanted privacy to discuss. That was one thing about Auradon Prep, you never knew who might be listening.

The girls both sat on Evie's bed when they got back to the room. It took about 20 seconds before Evie got to what she wanted to say.

"Doug's family want to me to stay for Christmas. I don't know what to do, I can't leave you guys here! What do normal families even do on Christmas?" said the clearly panicked girl.

"Whoa Evie, take a deep breath." Mal began. "Funnily enough Harry and I have been invited to the Darling's house over Christmas. I know what you mean though, I'd feel bad leaving Jay, Carlos and Gil here."

Both girls knew that's what would happen with the other three as they wouldn't be allowed back to the Isle, not that they were particularly keen on that option.

They sat in silence for a few minutes just thinking their options over.

"E, I've got an idea…" Mal began, not sure how it would be received. "What if the six of us stayed at school for Christmas Day, I'm sure Doug's parents and the Darling's would understand that we're our own sort of family. Then go to their houses for the week after Christmas? Over New Year."

"That could work - we'll have to talk to the others though first" Evie replied. She leaned back in to her pillow collection clearly more relaxed now than earlier.

"How did the art display go?" Evie asked her friend, genuinely hoping it had gone well.

"It was good, the photography from the game was a clear favourite. The Isle section people just started at blankly, not quite believing what they were seeing. Thankfully not many questions! Portrait of Dad got a lot of compliments, I owe him big time for the hair advice - otherwise he'd still be bald in it!" this caused both girls to laugh remembering how bad the bald look had been for him before the hair had been added.

"Hopefully they'll consider allowing more kids off soon or doing something for the Isle now they've truly seen it - all of us would vouch for the accuracy of your work." she gave her purple haired friend a smile at this.

"Also, I think Harry's acquired a third sister this afternoon" Mal said, "yes, I did see him being dragged round by Jane" Evie responded, laughing gently. The pirate really was a softy if you gave him a chance. Thankfully Audrey and Chad were the only ones who held true grudges towards them now, and that was more to do with Mal than anyone else.

The pair lapsed into an enjoyable silence, which was interrupted by a knock on their dorm door - unusual when they'd spent the best part of the day with the entire school.

Mal got up and opened the door to discover not one, but two Jane's on the other side.

"Come on in guys" she said while moving out the way to let the two girls in, Evie also gave them a strange look as the two didn't have much to do with each other.

"Is everything okay?" Evie asked, although the question was more directed to the elder Jane, as the young English girl looked slight distressed about something.

"We've just been in the common room, a group of us playing some card games and Audrey came in and gave Jane a hard time about being so friendly with Harry - think her age spared her from the worst of it. Anyway, I thought it was best to bring her here, hope you don't mind?" explained Jane, clearly angry at the incident as her eyes flashed with magic the same way Mal's did when she was particularly emotional about something.

"We'll look after her - don't worry" Evie said, while Mal put a comforting arm around the younger girl.

At this the Fairy Godmother's daughter left the room knowing the other girl was in good hands.

"You know what Jane?" Evie asked, "I've got the perfect new outfit for you" this brought a wide smile to the young girls face. Mal just rolled her eyes, she must be the only female not motivated by new clothes in this school!

Evie went over to her fashion rail stand and pulled off a dress in the same shade of green as Tinkerbell's but in a style far more suitable for a 12-year-old. Evie had hoped it would go well with her pale skin and auburn hair.

"It's gorgeous, thank you so much! Can I try it on?" Jane gushed enthusiastically, while both girls just pointed her towards the en-suite.

Once she was in the bathroom Mal got her phone out and sent a quick message to Harry. 'think we'll be over shortly, grab the others. Jane's with us - M xxx'

'Will do - H xxx'

Jane re-appeared out the bathroom in her new dress and just like Evie's prediction it suited her perfectly.

"You know E, she looks just like a fairy we were studying in class the other week?" Mal said conversationally to her friend.

"I think you're right M! Although I just can't quite place it" she mused.

"TINKERBELL!" came a shout from Jane, causing the two teens to laugh.

"You look better than Tinkerbell" Mal said to her with a smile. "How do you fancy paying the boys a visit - see what our 'wild' Saturday nights are like?"

"I don't know if Jay, Carlos and Gil even like me though?" came the shy reply from Jane, while she liked all the VK's she'd never properly spoken to the other boys.

"They like you Jane, trust me" Evie replied before taking the younger girls hand and leaving the room.

On the walk across they were asking Jane about classes to find out more about what she liked and what she was good at. By the time they'd reached the boy's dorms they'd discovered that she was quite musical and hoped to be in the band one day - Evie promised to have a word with Doug for her.

Jane looked shocked when Mal just walked straight into Harry and Gil's room without even knocking. Being only 12 and in her first year at the school she'd never dared venture into the boys dorm, even though it was allowed before curfew.

"They knew we were coming Jane, it's okay. Remember these boys are the closet people we have to brothers - there's not much that would shock us."

Jane just nodded and followed behind Evie.

Looking round the room she was surprised it could almost be considered tidy. Her mother was constantly on at her younger brother, Daniel, about the state of his room, so it came as a real shock that two teenagers living parent free would be tidier than her 10-year-old brother.

"Hey girls!" Carlos greeted with his omnipresent smile, "and welcome to our newest member of the unofficial VK club!" he said to Jane, helping to settle the girls nerves.

"Thank you - who else is in this club?" Jane asked politely, although it was clear Carlos's enthusiasm was infectious.

"Well there's you, my Jane, Lonnie, Doug, Ben and of course Dude" he replied while petting his beloved dog who had come over to investigate the new girl.

"Well, well if it isn't Tinkerbell" Harry said, clearly trying to be menacing.

"Harry!" was all Jane said before launching at the pirate for a hug. The other boys in the room trying not to laugh at the boy almost being bulldozed over by someone half his size. "May I borrow your hook please?" she asked him, causing Harry to become confused.

He sent a look to Mal, who simply mouthed 'Audrey' back at him. He quickly understood what had happened along with the others.

"Why would you need it?" he asked her.

"I need to show a princess not to mess with me and my friends. She's not even in line to a decent throne" she muttered at the end, causing the others to laugh. Despite Ben being the King of Auradon Jane would probably hold the British Royal Family in higher regard.

"Sorry Jane, but only I can have that hook - plus we wouldn't want you ending up on the Isle!" came Harry's response.

Just as Jane looked like she was about to retort, Jay spoke up, "however we would happily pull a prank on her to teach her a lesson?"

With that the group began to discuss possible ideas, some involving magic and some not. After about an hour they'd developed their plan, to be enacted by the older teens in the room. They'd carry it out next week to keep it from looking too suspicious.

Their plan was to sneak into the girl's room and replace her entire wardrobe with Isle inspired clothes so she'd have no choice but to wear it as due to her poor grades she was already on report and had to attend every class unless the school's nurse signed her off as being ill.

Carlos and Gil then helped her set up an avatar in their gaming system before they all started playing some of the more fun, recreational games they had.

Before they knew it, it was already 20:30 meaning the girls would have to head back to their rooms.

"Come on Jane we need to go, before we end up staying after curfew." said Evie, to allow Mal and Harry a couple of minutes to say goodnight to one another without a 12 year olds eyes being on them.

"Okay" Jane replied solemnly "Can I come back another time?"

"Of course you can!" replied Gil - by this point Jane's phone was already the home to 3 new contacts (she'd already had Harry, Mal and Evie's numbers).

As the trio left the room to a chorus of "goodbyes" from the boys, the elder two were glad they'd managed to cheer the younger girl up. At least Jane and Audrey would only be attending the school together for one year.

As they reached the girls dorm they came across the one girl that had caused the evenings drama. Unfortunately, her single bedroom was one of the first in the hall which caused her to think she ruled the roost.

"What have I told you Darling about hanging out with those losers?" Audrey said loud enough to get people interested from inside their rooms.

"You're not my mother! You can't tell me who I can and can't be friends with." Jane retorted, which just caused the princess to get angrier.

"How can you trust them? They're trouble! You're too young to see it, that's why I've got to look out for you" she said, stalking forward to try and grab Jane's hand.

"If we're trouble then why have the Darling family invited Harry and I for Christmas? Why does Jane see Harry as a big brother? Let Jane make her own mind up about who she wishes to be friends with" Mal said hotly to Audrey, causing the girl to step back when her eyes flashed green. All the girls knew the lengths she'd go to for Harry and it was beginning to become apparent that she'd go to similar lengths for the young girl in front of her.

With this Mal stalked off down the corridor not caring what Audrey thought with Jane and Evie following behind her. When they got to Jane's room she turned to the purple haired girl and shyly said, "I think of you as being a big sister to me too." before entering her room. This left a visibly shocked Mal on the other side of the door, the girl never having considered herself proper sibling material to anyone but the VKs.

Evie was more perplexed at how her friend hadn't seen this coming earlier. Once back in their room Mal was straight on her phone to Harry, who was attempting to reassure her and that she wouldn't lead the girl to evil mischief. After arranging to meet up for breakfast the next day she hung up the phone call.

"E, how do I be a sister?" Mal asked her closest friend, almost shyly which was strange for the usually confident girl.

"Well you've been a great sister to me, you just need to keep in mind that Jane's younger so perhaps less romance talks and more small adventures." came Evie's reply. "Why don't you take her into town one weekend before Christmas, ask if she wants help picking out presents for her family?"

"Great idea E, thanks!" the purple haired girl replied as she started to get ready for bed.

Perhaps being a big sister wouldn't be so bad after all was the last thing the girl thought before she'd fallen asleep.