A/N: Don't do a prologue...or if you do, include it with Chapter 1 otherwise it completely screws up their whole numbering system. Anyway, hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

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12

October turned into November and then December, Gryffindor beat Ravenclaw in Quidditch, earning them their first win of the season before Quidditch was put on hold for the season due to winter.

As snow covered the castle, students prepared to go home for winter break. Some would remain in the castle for the holidays but most went home. The Weasley children were staying at Hogwarts, minus Ginny who was staying with her nearby friend Luna. They had all been invited over to Bones Manor on Christmas for a feast courtesy of Harry speaking to Sirius and Amelia while Molly and Arthur were taking the holidays to go visit Charlie in Romania. Ginny's eyes had gone wide when she heard the news. She was speechless. She couldn't believe she was getting to spend her Christmas with Harry Potter.

After everyone had said their goodbyes and promised to see each other at Christmas they took the carriages down to Hogsmeade. They had a little bit of free time before the train took off so most of the students spent some time doing some last minute shopping. Harry had finished shopping for the Weasleys that were going to be over as well as Hermione, Neville and Hannah but he was still at a loss for some of the people that mattered the most to him. Sirius, Amelia and Susan. He didn't know if he'd even be able to top the dragonhide quickdraw holster but he had bought that mainly out of concern for her protection than as a gift.

Harry stopped by the wand shop in Hogsmeade because he was considering picking up another set of the dragonhide quickdraw holsters for Sirius and Amelia for their protection as well. It could be a joint gift from him and Susan he decided. He quickly bought the two, had them giftwrapped and put them in his bottomless bag. He was hoping that Sirius could take him out one of the next few days to find something special for Susan. He wondered if she was having as much trouble finding a gift for him.

When he was done in the wand shop, he met Neville, Hannah and Susan in the main street and headed towards the train platform. The managed to find their normal compartment near the back of the train. Hermione came in and joined them for the ride home. Harry informed Susan that he had picked up the joint gifts for Amelia and Sirius and what they were.

"You shouldn't have. You don't have to spend that kind of money. That's very thoughtful of you though," Susan replied.

"I just wanted everyone to be safe. Associating with me isn't exactly a key to a long life, especially with Voldyshorts trying to come back. Plus Aunt Ami could use one in her line of work," Harry replied to which Susan could just agree. "So what's everyone else doing for Christmas," Harry asked casually. "You're going to France, right Hermione?"

She nodded, "How'd you know?"

"Heard it somewhere. Maybe from the Gryffindor table? What about you guys," he asked turning to Hannah and Neville.

"Well it's just me and Gran for the holidays," Neville replied, "so I can't imagine we'll be doing much."

"I think my family is just staying in town. We'll celebrate together and that will be that," chimed Hannah.

"Well if you guys get too bored you're welcome to come over on Christmas. We're having the Weasleys over while their parents are out of the country so you're more than welcome to come over. There will be plenty of food…unless Ron has his way," Harry replied causing Hermione to chuckle. Both Hannah and Neville said they would be there. "If you're back in time, you're welcome to come too Hermione." She nodded in response.

"So I've been meaning to ask you something. Well you and Susan both actually," Hermione began. Harry looked over to Susan. They knew what was coming. Harry had told her that Hermione would ask because that's how she is. She had to know.

"We've been studying Hermione. We finished the year 1 spells and the year two spells so we were working on our year 3 spells. That's all," Harry said, as if he could read her mind.

"Oh. I can't believe you guys are that far ahead. You must be quick learners."

"Something like that…," Harry replied.

"You know I don't know if I ever said it but thank you for saving me that night. If it weren't for you I'd be…"

"There's no need to thank us Hermione. That's what friends are."

Hermione smiled, "You're right. I'm glad we friends."

"Me too Hermione. So anyone up for some exploding snap?"

Harry, Hannah, Susan and Neville played exploding snap while Hermione read and watched them play. Eventually the train pulled up to platform 9 ¾ and everyone disembarked. Susan and Harry said goodbye to Neville, Hannah and Hermione and headed off to find Amelia and Sirius and spotted Sirius almost right away. He was talking to a man who looked familiar. They were both laughing.

"Hey pup. Hey Susie Q. Allow me to introduce you to…"

"Remus Lupin. How's it going Moony?"

Moony looked a little surprised but not as much as Harry thought he would. "It's good to see you again Harry. I haven't seen you since you were a baby. I see what Padfoot has told me is true." Remus held out his hand but Harry took it and gave him a quick hug. "And who might this lovely young lady be," he asked turning to Susan.

"Remus Lupin, I'd like you to meet Susan Bones. Susan, this is Remus Lupin. Otherwise known as Moony of the Marauders," Harry stated as he introduced them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you young lady. Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine."

"Likewise sir. Although you may want to be careful about saying that. Harry does have some pretty strange friends," Susan responded politely causing both Sirius and Moony to chuckle.

"She's right you know. For example there's this redheaded girl I know…," Harry began before he was interrupted by a punch in the arm from Susan. "Hey! What was that for? I didn't tell them it was you!"

"Alright you two, let's get going. Moony and I came to get you. Ami is working a little late tonight," Sirius interjected.

"Look at you being an adult Padfoot! Who would've thought…," Moony commented causing Harry and Susan to chuckle.

"Oh stuff it Moony!" With that the quartet made their way to the local floo and disappeared.

After returning to the manor and tossing their stuff in their room, Harry and Susan made their way back downstairs to find Padfoot and Moony sitting by the fireplace talking.

"Harry would you mind coming to chat with us. Susan is welcome too. It is her house after all," Moony asked. Susan and Harry sat down on the couch together.

"What's up," Harry asked looking at Remus.

"I've been hearing some interesting things about you and Susan from Padfoot here."

"Like what? That we're time travelers sent back from the future by Death herself to stop Voldemort because he killed me last time around and that Death gave me the locations of the Horcruxes keeping Voldemort alive as well as informed me of the prophecy regarding the two of us," Harry said in one breath before taking a moment. "Yep. It's all true. You're the one who showed me how to cast my patronus while you were teaching Defense against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. Also, you're a werewolf, not that I care. Just a fact."

Remus did in fact look a little surprised by his vast amount of knowledge. "Well I was going to say that I heard the two of you managed to take down a troll by yourselves but that works too I suppose." Sirius busted out laughing. "So I taught you the Patronus charm huh? Well let's see how good of a teacher I am."

"I'd like to see too," Susan said excitedly. "I always heard you could cast one."

With a flick of his wrist, Harry's wand appeared in his hand. "Expecto Patronum!" A large, brightly glowing, silver stag shot out of Harry's wand before turning around and standing at the edge of the couch next to Harry. Harry reached out and pet Prongs on the head like it was nothing.

"Did…did you just touch your patronus," Remus asked.

"Yeah. What's the big deal," Harry asked.

"A Patronus is supposed to be incorporeal, meaning you shouldn't be able to touch it. I've never seen one that can be touched before."

Harry shrugged, "I don't know. It didn't start out that way but the last few times I've summoned him I've been able to touch him."

"That's amazing Harry…and he looks just like…"

"My dad. I know. Sirius had the same reaction."

"Can I try touching him," Susan asked.

"Sure. I don't see why not." He turned to the stag, "Prongs, this is Susan. She's a close friend of me and she wants to touch you. Is that ok?" It looked like the stag nodded his head.

Susan stood up and went over to Prongs, holding one hand out. He was so much larger than she was. As she got close, Prongs put his nose under her hand and pushed it up so that she pet him. As she stoked his nose, she had a huge smile on her face, which in turn made Harry smile. He enjoyed seeing her happy and smile. Harry's reaction to her did not go unnoticed by either of the two other adults. All of a sudden Harry had a brilliant idea. As Prongs was still standing next to him by the edge of the couch, he stood on the arm of the couch and hopped up onto Prong's back much to the amazement of the adults. If touching a Patronus was unheard of, then riding one was definitely out of the question.

Susan looked up in awe as Harry mounted the large stag. He looked down to her and smiled. He offered his arm down to her, "Are you coming Sue?" Her grin grew even wider if it was possible as Harry helped her on to Prongs in front of him. He had wrapped his arms around her and directed Prongs around the couch and into the front foyer where there was more room. Sirius and Lupin looked on in pure and utter amazement and disbelief. They were so absorbed they didn't even hear the fire place ding that there was an incoming floo.

After a long day at work Amelia Bones was ready to relax with her feet up. What she was not ready for however was two kids riding a large silver stag in the front foyer while the two adults just looked on. "What in the world?"

Everybody in the room turned and looked like they had just got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. The sudden appearance of Amelia Bones had disrupted Harry's concentration and caused Prongs to shimmer and disappear. Before anyone could react Harry and Susan fell to the ground with a THUD. Luckily for Susan she landed on top of Harry. After a moment they both burst out laughing unhurt.

"Would somebody mind explaining to me why there were children riding a stag through my foyer…or more importantly…how?" She looked at Remus and Sirius who looked at each other and then shrugged.

"It's my fault Aunt Ami," Harry said as he stood up. "I was showing them my patronus and they said it was weird that I could touch him but I've been able to do it the last few times. I thought I'd try something else so I climbed on top of him and offered Susan a ride. He was very gentle with us, not to worry."

"And you two just watched," she asked looking at Remus and Sirius again.

"To be fair Ami dear, we've never seen anyone pet a patronus before, much less ride one," Sirius replied in his defense.

"Ok. Fair point but how?"

"Nobody knows. It's never been done before. It's unheard of," stated Remus. "It doesn't surprise me however, that his patronus looks just like his father."

"Are you telling me James was a stag," Amelia asked in disbelief.

"More or less. James was Prongs of the Marauders. Harry here is his son, Prongs Jr," Sirius replied proudly as Harry grinned.

"Oh"

The following day Harry asked Sirius and Remus to take him to Diagon Alley as he still needed to find something for Susan, and now Remus. For Remus, he picked up an old volume on the History of Werewolves and a couple new suits. The ones he was currently wearing were in disarray. Harry was wandering around the alley when he came across a magical jewelry store. He opened the door and wandered inside. A few seconds later Sirius and Remus had followed him in after seeing him go inside. As Marauders and semi-responsible adults they wanted to see what he was planning, even if Harry didn't yet know it himself.

"Good afternoon gentlemen," the man behind the counter said. "Is there anything I can help you find or are you looking for something in particular?"

"Well I'm not sure," Harry responded honestly, "I'm look for something for a good friend of mine…"

"A lady friend," Sirius added with a grin.

"Yes. Well anyway…," Harry continued, "I was wondering if there was some sort of jewelry that allowed me to check on her and her to check on me to make sure the other is alright. Does something like that exist?"

"Of course sir. Now you have two options. The first one is a set of matching jewelry that could wear. They could be anything from earrings, to necklaces, to rings themselves." Harry blushed at the idea of getting Susan a ring. It was waaaaay too soon to even think about that. They weren't even dating. He wasn't even sure if they would or if her feelings would change as they got older. "The other option is two necklaces that when pushed together form a complete picture. Each person gets half. They usually allow for more features in them but are restricted to necklaces. Which option appeals to you sir?"

"Please, just Harry and I think the second option sounds better."

"Very good sir…er…Harry." With that the gentlemen ushered Harry over to the case with the items he was looking for. Harry looked into the case, most were either things like hearts or the muggles called them yin yangs however there were a few other miscellaneous ones although none of the others really caught his eye. He decided that the heart may send the wrong idea. Well it wasn't necessarily the wrong idea he thought but it could be misconstrued. Better to go with the safe alternative.

"I've seen this design before," Harry said pointing to the yin-yangs. "It's a muggle design isn't it?"

The man nodded. "Good eye. Yes the design on this is called a yin yang. In muggle mythology it was often thought that the design represented opposites. Light and Dark. Male and Female. That sort of thing. The small opposing dots represent how one cannot exist without the other. For example without light you wouldn't have dark and without dark you wouldn't need the light. When you put them together it symbolizes how they work as a whole."

"Sounds perfect. Can I see this pair," he asked pointing to a pair that were made of a shiny, smooth stone with gems and a gold knot pattern around the outside.

"Very good choice Harry. This particular pair has a few special qualities. First and foremost it will allow you to feel the other person's heartbeat and their general state of well-being such as happy, sad, scared, etc. if you concentrate. The second attribute is that it will have a more specific point me charm that will you show the general direction of the person wearing the other half and lead you in their general direction should you so desire. Thirdly, each half can store a photo of the other person similar to a locket. Finally, when both halves are placed together and activated it can store a small recorded memory."

"That's fantastic. It sounds perfect. I'll take them. Can you gift wrap the other one for me?"

"Excellent. We can most certainly do that. Would you like yours wrapped as well sir or just in the box with the instructions?"

"In the box is fine," Harry replied. He didn't want to wear his until Christmas morning because he didn't want her to ask questions.

Both Sirius and Remus complimented him on his choice and told him that she would definitely love it.

"Wooing ladies at such a young age. James would be proud," Sirius said as he wiped a fake tear from his eye.

"I think you're mistaking James for you Padfoot," Remus replied with a chuckle.

Harry paid for his gift before putting both it and his box in his bottomless bag.

"Well, everyone got everything they need," Sirius asked as they left the jewelry store. Harry and Remus nodded. "Good. Then let's stop in for some warm butterbeers on the way home."

When they had flooed home the house was empty. Amelia had gone in to work for a few hours to try and catch up on the busy season. There was a note standing on the table next to the fireplace that read Harry. He picked up the note and read it.

Harry

Went to Hannah's. Be home later.

Sue

"Susan is at Hannah's," He said to the other two as he tossed the note back on the table.

"Well I'm glad she told an adult," Sirius replied sarcastically.

"Well she did let the most responsible person know," Harry retorted, causing the pair of Marauders to burst out laughing.

"Touché," Remus replied.

"So…you guys are good at pranks and stuff right," Harry asked.

"Us? Never! We're innocent," Sirius replied with a grin.

"There have been rumors though," Remus added.

"Why do you ask pup?"

"Well there's this kid at school…"