I was in my secluded warded room up to my eyeballs in gifts, lists of recipients, tape, wrapping paper, ribbons, bows and labels. I wrapped up all of Gen's Christmas and hid it away. I then drafted her to be my sidekick gift wrapper. I made piles for Harry, Severus, Friends and Party Guests. I even sent a package by owl to Grizzelton, my personal banker. I got him a goblin made silver scrollwork letter opener with a lovely Ruby at the base. Hope he likes it.

I taught Gen how to wrap neatly and we started going at it. We had to break for meals but we got it all done and labeled in two days. High Five! Man, I was sick of wrapping afterwards.

Everything was done and ready. It was Christmas Eve Eve. All my invitations were accepted. We had a party of over 200 people. I had hired 20 servers, 4 of coatcheckers, 4 bartenders, one dj, one piano player and all six house elves were behind the scenes in charge working with 2 cooks and 3 caterers. I got Christmas gifts for each of my house elves too. Boy, they are gonna cry all over me on Christmas. I opened up the ballroom, the formal dining room. I even had several bedrooms in the east wing setup for those staying over for Christmas or too drunk to apparate. I was excited. I slipped out that day and went to visit my vampire friend Prince Nicolescu. He greeted me at his apartment door and invited me in.

I asked,"How have you been?" He smiled looking better than the last time I saw him.

"I have been good. Your idea for the blood banks has been a very great idea. I am never hungry anymore. The Ministry was not so great of an experience. They were very suspicious of me. When I gave my report to an auror named Moody, they became very cooperative because it involved you. You are very well liked there, I could tell." He chuckled.

"They have learned the last two years I have been here in the UK, that I am trying to make things better for everyone. Speaking of, I have something for you. I know it is not your tradition, but it is part of mine and that includes all my friends. Especially, no matter where they come from. This is a gift for you for Christmas." He took the gift I handed him. He looked like he never had a gift given to him before. He peeled the paper off and opened the box. His breath caught for a moment. He pulled out the 300 year old windup restored silver fancy filigree pocket watch with internal gears that can be seen moving on a long silver chain. He fondled and rubbed his fingers over it.

He looked up at me with what looked like a tear in his eye and said a bit choked up,"This is the most beautiful watch I have ever seen. I have never received such a thoughtful gift before. How will I ever repay you for all you have done for me Arianna?" I smiled.

"See that's the beauty of my traditions, they never come with strings attached. You wear it with pride, knowing you have a good friend. That is enough to be paid in full." I laughed at his humbled shock. He stood up, took my hand and kissed the back of it.

"It is an honor having you as a good friend, dear Lady. Any favor you ever need, you only need to ask." I stood up and gave him a hug. I think he was surprised that I trusted him not to bite me. The age old stigma.

"Merry Christmas, Prince Nicolescu. I am having a big party tomorrow and need to finish last minute plans. You take care of yourself until I see you again, my friend." I patted his shoulder.

He showed me out saying,"Good health Lady Arianna, until we meet again."

I came back home for dinner, then later homemade Christmas cookies, homemade eggnog with spiced rum and cinnamon in the adults and decorating the Christmas tree with my husband and kids.

That evening I lay down in bed and told my husband about my new vampire friend and how we met. He was not very happy with me, to say the least. I told him that even though he doesn't like me helping and having a vampire friend, he knows me and knows I will be careful. I told him how I got him stable and fed without killing.

He huffed and shook his head saying,"How do you even come up with such schemes and ideas? Why couldn't a vampire even think to pull off something like that before? You are a crazy inventive woman. Crazy is the keyword." He started chuckling,"I can't believe you got him to report the Rookwood's. I also can't believe what happened at the jewelers. I am always surprised by you Arianna. You are never boring." He wrapped me in his arms and we fell asleep.

--

Christmas Eve morning came with happy kids and a big breakfast. While reading the morning paper, I saw an article on the Rookwood's:

--

DEIRDRE AND CARLTON ROOKWOOD ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES

Deirdre and Carlton Rookwood we're arrested at 2pm on Sunday, December 23, 1984 on charges of:

Conspiracy to Commit Murder

Soliciting Gratuity for Capital Murder

Child Abandonment

Child Endangerment

Child Abuse

Paying Gratuity to Commit a Criminal Act

Theft and Destruction of Official Records and Ministry Property

The Rookwood's, slammed the door in the aurors faces and resisted arrest in their residential manor. They then attempted to sneak out the back door of their manor and apparate away. It was also reported that Mrs Rookwood, after being drug out of her home kicking and trying to bite the aurors, was screaming at the top of her lungs,"That stupid bitch did this to us! I'll have her killed and that damn disowned brat too!"

They will both be held over in Azkaban, under solitary confinement until after the New Year. The court trial has not been set up as of yet.

Story by Daniel James Irwin

--

"Wow, I guess I won the bet, Gen." I showed her the article. I put my arm around her as she read it.

She turned to me looking down,"Am I so hard to love?" I tipped her chin up to look at her beautiful face.

"Sweetheart, it's not you that is hard to love or be loved. They just had no love inside of them, only selfish hate. You are a true treasure, but they were so screwed up they never were able to recognize it. They were never your parents, they were birth givers only. We are the lucky ones. We can have you all for ourselves now and love you to death, until you're sick of us." I kissed her forehead and hugged her tight.

"I don't think I'll ever get sick of any of you. Can I call you mum and dad?" She looked at Severus and I.

Before I could answer Severus said,"Of course you can, Genevieve. We would be honored." My ever evolving husband always makes me proud of him. I smiled at Severus with pride.

"I don't know about all of you, but I'm excited today is going to be really busy getting ready for the party tonight. The cooks will be here in a little while. So let's eat and I am getting dressed to start the organization." I told them all.

I needed the bars placed and set up two in the ballroom, one in the formal dining room and one in the salon. When I hired them for all four locations, they came with staff and fully stock bars. I had a dj and piano singer for the ballroom. I think we are good to go now.