It's late where I am right now, but I thought might as well post up another chapter for all you early birds out there waking up now. So here's Chapter 8. Warning: some kissing in here and major coarse language.

Chapter 8
Christmas Snow and Mistletoe

December 3rd, 1989
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - the Hospital Wing

Christmas time at Hogwarts had come around so fast, it made the little witch's head spin once again. A soft, thick layer of snow had blanketed over the Courtyard overnight, causing the entirety of Hogwarts to wake up on the Sunday morning of December 3rd, and rush outdoors to start a snowball fight that ended with seven Slytherins in the infirmary, along with two certain redheaded twins in detention for putting them there, but not before also going to the infirmary for minor frostbite.

The Mischiefous Lot had been laying low on their pranks lately, after their game in the Hufflepuff Common Room on Halloween night, they'd sort of separated, the boys on one side and the girls on the other. The boys wanted nothing from the girls and it ended with Anna in tears for well over a month.

Anna spent the entirety of the November month in a hospital bed in the infirmary as she suffered from a big depression, but as December rolled around, Anna had decided to stop her crying and go for the little walk, that Madam Pomfrey suggested for her each and every morning and afternoon.

So on that early December morning found Anna walking absentmindedly, along the corridors, to the Entrance Hall. She'd past a few wandering students, whom were warming up from the cold December morning, even a few Gryffindors snogging underneath the hanging bunches of mistletoe over every hanging archway in the castle. Anna was passing under one of the arches when one of the redheaded twins caught her by the arm, a look of concern in his piercing blue eyes, her breath caught in her throat and her entire body stiffened at his touch.

"Where have you been? I haven't seen you in well over a month." He spoke, she flushed under his stern tone and had the grace to look ashamed.

"I-i was in the Hospital Wing. I've been going through a mild depression, since my Hufflepuff friends,—girls and boys—won't talk anymore, they won't even look at each other." Anna said as she stifled a sob. "I don't know why, I don't understand if it was something that had happened, or if it was because of the game the lot of us had played in our Common Room on Halloween, but they won't say a word to one another." She bit back the cries that tried to overtake her, but she would not appear weak, especially in front of one of the Weasley Twins of all people.

"I'm sorry, for your friends not speaking to one another and all, but I don't even know your name." The twin said to her as he smiled, his blue eyes had drifted to the ceiling, but she hadn't noticed.

"Tassiyanna Cloud. Call me Anna. And you? What's your name?"

"George... George Weasley." He smiled looking back into her eyes, that were currently violet.

She smiled at him, the first smile she'd produced in well over a month. "Nice to meet you George." She smiled.

He returned her smile, but then smirked mischievously as he pointed above them. She let her gaze follow his finger until her still violet eyes landed on the hanging mistletoe above them, her eyes widened when she realized he'd planned to trap her under the mistletoe all along.

"You planned this didn't you?" She smirked at him pointing to the mistletoe above the pair. He gave her a fully boyish grin and gave her a curt nod. She giggled as a tiny blush made an appearance on her cheeks and he beamed at their appearance, it suited her.

"So are you going to grant me a kiss for tricking you under the mistletoe with me?" He asked his blue eyes screamed trouble and she threw her head back and laughed; a sound he wanted to hear her do again and again until it would be the death of him. If he ever died he wanted her laugh to be the last thing he would hear.

"I'll grant you a kiss, but just this once for catching me off guard, George. You've earned yourself a kiss, but only one, but after we part ways, you better be on your guard, cause I might be coming to get you back." She grinned slyly, her violet eyes screaming mischief, it actually stirred something inside of him. The pair hadn't noticed the crowd appear until they heard the shared "Ohh!" at Anna's obvious threat for payback.

"Careful there, kitten," A voice warned jokingly from the crowd and Anna's eyes fell upon Alain and the rest of the gang reunited once again. "He might like that." Anna and George threw their heads back and laughed, George nodded.

"So the gang is okay now?" Anna asked suddenly worried looking from one end of the Mischiefous Lot to the other.

All at once the lot of them smiled at her and they all looked at one another, making Anna beam. "Yes, Annie, the Mischiefous Lot is back." Holly smiled then looked up to see a mistletoe hanging above herself and Amos, the rest of the lot seemed to notice it too and dispersed away from the pair, the only one whom hadn't moved was Amos, she looked up at him and then turned and beamed at Anna, whom was smiling right back at her friend. Holly then turned and grabbed Amos by the collar of his robes before tugging and sealing their lips together kissing him soundly in front of the entire school.

Anna and the rest of the school cheered the new couple, as Holly and Amos separated their hands found one another and their fingers laced together before holding their intertwined hands over their heads for everyone to see, the school cheered loudly at the new Hufflepuff couple, then turned their full attention to Anna and George.

"Remember, one time thing. I'll get you back for this, but you earned it for catching me off guard, sneaky lion."

"Beautiful badger." He whispered and the girls of the school "awed" in unison at his words. He cupped her face with his hands and her arms wrapped around his neck as his lips descended and their lips met. The school cheered once again, louder then ever, as Anna and George kissed under the mistletoe, marking that day of December 3rd 1989 "The Great Mistletoe Kiss of 1989" as well as "The Great Christmas Mistletoe Game of 1989" as Anna tried to get him back, she waited for the right moment, actually catching him once, he kissed her quickly then went off with his twin. Now it was his turn. They'd made a giant game out of it, it also marked the day that Holly and Amos had become an item at Hogwarts.

December 15th, 1989
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - the Great Hall

The Mischiefous Lot were firmly seated at the Hufflepuff table eating a big breakfast, that bright and early Friday morning.

Jamie, Peter and Weave were in a heated conversation about Quidditch and what teams they liked best, so far it was mostly about the Chudley Canons and Puddlemere, so far Weave and Jamie were winning with Puddlemere against Pete, who preferred the Canons, he then threw his arms into the air and said that he'd try his best to like Puddlemere, Jamie and Weave then gave each other a high five after pumping their fists in the air in victory.

Holly and Amos were sitting side by side, silently eating, while reading the Daily Prophet, the Wizarding Newspaper. They talked about each article before turning to the next page and doing the same.

Al, Tommy and Ced were talking about the Slytherin/Gryffindor rivalry as the Weasley Twins sent secret jinxes to the Slytherin table while others watched on like it was the daily entertainment show. Al kept stealing glances at Anna and the girls while Anna was explaining the functions of a mood ring to Irys and Mia, whom both were listening with great interest and wonder.

"... it changes colours as my mood changes, the temperature of my body will change its colour as my mood changes..." Anna was saying to the girls.

"What's your mood right now, Annie?" Mia asked.

Anna's eyes fell to her ring, as she watched the colour change from a dark blue to a brilliant yellow, before she looked at Irys and Mia and said, "Happy." with a beaming smile.

oOoOoOo

Third Floor Corridor

Anna's eyes fell to her wrist as she looked at her watch to read the time; 9:30, her watch read.

"Still a half hour left before curfew," she whispered to the lot, they nodded to her and then they all shared a wicked and mischievous grin. They'd planned on pulling a prank before Term was over and they'd being going home for Christmas, except Anna, whom was staying at Hogwarts when her mother had owled her and told her to stay at school because she was visiting family for Christmas, Anna could tell she was hiding something from her, but didn't push on the matter. Anna just hoped to Merlin, Circe and Morgan Le Fay that it wasn't her father.

"Anna? Where'd you go?" Mia asked in a whisper grabbing Anna's hand.

"Far, far away." Anna answered her best friend.

"Oh! We've got ourselves two victims!" Holly exclaimed in a whisper. "Annie, you're going to love who they are!" She silently squealed as she hugged her boyfriend tightly in excitement.

Anna returned to the present and looked on from behind Alain, Thomas and Cedric. Lady Luck had smiled upon the mischief makers and awarded them with the two Ravenclaws that Anna had wanted to prank, Jane Aggens and Peneloppe Clearwater. Her eyes flashed violet as she used a silent Tripping Jinx on their victims. Both girls tripped at the same time and fell on their hands.

The Mischiefous Lot snickered quietly at the look of shock on the girls' faces. Aggens helped Peneloppe to her feet and they continued walking, Anna sent a small Stinging Jinx to Peneloppe and the jinx struck her on the arse, she squealed slightly at the pinch and she turned to see whom had struck her, her blonde hair sparked when she saw no one, making the lot snicker a little more. Peneloppe continued to walk alongside Jane, until Mia sent Anna's small Stinging Jinx to Aggens' backside this time. Jane looked shocked, Peneloppe looked outraged and when they couldn't find their attackers they stormed off as fast as they could to the Ravenclaw Tower.

oOoOoOo

Hufflepuff Common Room

The Mischiefous Lot entered the Hufflepuff Common Room laughing, they laughed at their prank from earlier, even though it was only a minor prank, it was still amazingly funny.

"Did you see their faces!" Cedric gasped as he tried to regain proper fuction of his lungs, the boys laughed as did the girls.

"Clearwater looked outraged, Aggens was in too much of a shock to even react properly." Mia said as she impersonated Peneloppe and looked properly outraged, whilst Weave impersonated Jane and faked being properly shocked into a stupor. Everyone laughed until tears poured down their cheeks.

"Merlin, that was fun," Anna sighed in content as she flew herself onto one of the many fat, fluffy yellow couches and armchairs of the Hufflepuff Common Room.

Al and James took the vacant seats beside her—Al on her left and James on her right—, whilst the rest brought chairs and couches around them so they could all sit in a circle. Anna's head fell into Al's lap like usual and her hand found his and she forced his hand upon her head to play with her wild blackberry curls, her feet were in Jamie's lap—the usual sitting arrangement set up by the Hufflepuffs at the end of Anna's first day a week after she awoke from her coma—, Holly was sitting in Amos' lap her back flush against his chest as he inhaled her scent, his nose buried in her fiery red hair. Mia and Peter were sitting on their own couch—to Anna's right—, Irys and Weave on the couch to her left, while Clover and Thomas sat side by side next to Holly and Amos awkwardly—across from Anna and the boys—.

'What time is it kitten?' Al asked as his fingers threaded through her wild mane of curls.

Anna checked her watch and said, "Ten o'clock." as she watched the gang play a game of Exploding Snap.

By 11, everyone made their way to the Dormitory stairs, Holly kissed Amos goodnight and he hugged her tight. They said goodnight to one another before going their separate ways for the night.

December 25th, 1989
Hufflepuff Common Room

Anna awoke Christmas morning with the small hope of presents from her parents under the Hufflepuff Christmas Tree that had been placed in the Common Room, she put on her nightrobe and ran down the stairs to see Al and Jamie waiting for her,—Al had been having problems with his Pureblood family as they called him a Blood-Traitor for being Sorted Hufflepuff instead of Slytherin, Jamie had owled his own Pureblood parents and asked to stay at Hogwarts for the holidays to accompany Anna and Al for Christmas, their reply having been an obvious yes— "Happy Christmas, boys." Anna beamed as she descended the final step from the Girls Dormitories.

Clover had appeared from behind her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek with a beaming smile as she handed Anna a wrapped gift. "Happy Christmas Annie." Clover said as she gave Anna a big hug. Spirit, quite suddenly, jumped on Anna's shoulders and purred loudly as if speaking.

"Happy Christmas, C." Anna beamed to her friend, whom was staying with Anna in her dorm, whilst the rest of the girls were gone home for the holidays—Mia went home bringing Irys and Weave with her, Holly went to Amos' for the holidays to meet his parents and Cedric brought Peter and Thomas home for the holidays because Peter's—as well as—Thomas' parents had been extremely busy with work—.

"Happy Christmas girls." Jamie beamed as he wrapped the girls in a hug.

"Happy Christmas, Jamie." The girls giggled each kissing one cheek, Jamie blushed to the tips of his toes when Anna's lips had touched his cheek.

Anna went to see Al as she sat down beside him on the couch as he stared at the red envelope that hissed and shook in front of him. She looked at the envelope as its hissing grew louder and it shook more violently as though it could sense her presence. "You better get it over with love, don't ignore it, I hear it's horrible if you ignore one." She said placing a supportive hand on his shoulder.

"Fuck it." He said as he opened it and everyone covered their ears as high-pitched screaming filled the Common Room.

"ALAIN ALPHARD STORMS"' The Howler shrieked. "HOW DARE YOU SEND YOUR PRECIOUS PUREBLOOD, OBEYING BROTHER AN OWL TO JOIN YOU AND YOUR BAND OF BLOOD-TRAITORS AND MUDBLOODS!"

Anna quickly covered her ears and saw a glass vial shatter in the corner from the octaves the—apparently—woman was reaching with her voice. How that woman wasn't bloody deaf, she'd never know.

"YOU AND THAT MUDBLOOD GIRLFRIEND OF YOURS HAVE GONE TOO FAR THIS TIME AND I DON'T GIVE A SALAZAR IF SHE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT! YOU ARE NO LONGER A STORM! YOU ARE NOT MY SON YOU WRETCHED LITTLE—"

"Incendio." Anna said pointing her pine wood wand to the Howler that instantly bursted into flames and turned to ash upon the table. Al sat there looking at the pile of ash as though it were still screaming at him.

"Who the fuck was that?" Jamie asked in minor shock and pure loathing at the one who dared send Al a Howler for Christmas, Clover was shaking in his arms as he held her tightly after the screech attack from whoever that was.

Alain sighed and gave Anna a thankful look before standing from his seat, Anna rising with him as he turned to look at James, Clover and Anna together. "You just met my mother." He said, grinding his teeth.

oOoOoOo

Hufflepuff Common Room

The rest of Christmas morning went on without further mention of Al's Howler, nor the fact that his temper was shorter than usual.

They'd went to breakfast in the Great Hall before returning to the Common Room for presents, in which—Al had none—. Anna had frowned and grabbing Clover by the arm, they went to the Girls Dormitories to Transfigure something for him so that he didn't have nothing for Christmas.

"You're a good friend to him Anna," Clover smiled watching as her friend rummaged around the Dormitory obviously looking for something.

"Thanks C, now can you help me look for something to Transfigure into a gift for him?" Anna asked not looking at her friend as she rummaged in her trunk.

"Of course! Is it something specific?" Clover asked.

Anna stood up and looked at her with a beaming smile as she held up a silver chain. "Found it!" She gave Clover a girlish grin and giggled, patting beside her as she sat down on her four-poster. Clover sat beside her and watched as Anna waved her wand over the necklace before it faintly glowed blue before returning to normal. "There! Now whenever that bitch yells at him, he can use this to escape. I've put a Portus Charm on it, I know that's a fifth year spell, but it'll save his life, I know it! You think he'll like it?" Anna asked looking at Clover with hope in her now amethyst eyes before they returned to their usual ocean blue hue.

Clover beamed at Anna before saying. "He'll love it Annie!" Anna beamed—magically wrapped the gift in a tiny black box—and they both returned to the boys, whom were waiting downstairs for them.

Anna advanced to Al, whom had lifted a brow in amusement as to what she could possibly be doing.

She held out a black box with a large yellow bow on top and lightly blushed as she said, "Happy Christmas, love." as she handed him the box.

He opened the box to find a silver chain. He looked at her with piercing blue eyes wide, she smiled shyly and blushed to the tips of her toes at their intensity. He put the chain on and then closed the distance between them as he hugged her tightly. "Thank you, kitten."

"Y-you like it?" She asked her eyes flashing violet in what looked like hope.

He gave her the most caring smile, she'd ever seen him produce and she couldn't help the blush that appeared on her cheeks, she returned the smile. "If that bitch ever bothers you or tries to hurt you," she started, lifting the chain so he could see it, it was a simple silver chain the most simple thing he'd ever seen, but he loved it; it as the first thing anyone had given him and it had been her. "There's a Portus Charm on it," she dropped the chain and it hit his chest. "Simply grab the chain and say Portus and it'll take you someplace safe, my house probably, or even Jamie's, if he allows it." Jamie nodded, Anna smiled and said a small "thank you". "So it's settled it'll bring you to Jamie's house. Let's just hope you use it only for emergencies, alright Al? You can use the Floo if you need a break from her."

He hugged her tightly once again and spun her around, making her throw her head back and laugh. "Thank you so much kitten!" He said happily, his blue eyes full of light and life like always.

Clover and Jamie cleared their throats in an attempt to hide their laughter.

"What?" Anna asked confused. Clover pointed above the pair and Anna softly gasped at the sight of yet another mistletoe. "Another one?" She laughed silently. "What do you say Al? You up for it?" She asked him pointing above their head, he looked up and visibly swallowed, he looked at her and she smiled shyly.

"Happy Christmas kitten." He whispered as he cupped her chin, her eyes widened, not thinking he'd actually kiss her, but she didn't struggle against him.

"Happy Christmas Al." She breathed as their lips met and her arms wrapped around his neck as he held her flush against him.

Clover and Jamie cheered loudly at the pairs courage to finally show their feelings for one another. Unfortunately, the cheering is what brought Al to his senses as he finally realized who he was currently kissing. Their lips parted and they separated, Anna blushing to the tips of her toes and Al looking like he was at war with himself.

What had he done? Not only had he kissed Anna, he'd full out snogged her, and in front of James too! Al looked at James, whom appeared slightly heartbroken, but smiled at Al all the same. James who excused himself—went up to their Dormitory—Al guessed, as he too, excused himself to have a word with him.

Al followed James into the Dorm apologizing constantly for his careless actions.

"I'm sorry mate. I wasn't thinking. I didn't want her to think anything against me..." Al apologized.

"You know how I feel about her, mate!" James retorted, suddenly furious with his best mate, as he glared daggers at Al.

Al put his hands up in surrender. "You can have her, mate. You also know how I feel about her, but after the Howler I received today, my damn family already thinks she's my bloody girlfriend and you heard what she fucking called her. Merlin I hate my parents! You have her mate. I'll try to keep her safe from my family." Al finished looking furious with himself, but not James.

James had calmed down and watched now as his best mate had a mental war with himself. He put a supportive hand on Al's shoulder. "Thanks mate. It's our job now to keep her safe."

Al nodded firmly. "Our job." He repeated.

oOoOoOo

Hufflepuff Common Room

The boys returned downstairs in good spirits once again as the girls talked with two House-elves, two of the people who'd kept Anna company for the month she had alone at Hogwarts. Winky and Tilly were standing and looked ready to leave as a tray sat itself—on the large circular, wooden coffee table—in front of the two witches as they talked about their families and why they'd decided to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas. The two House-elves disappeared suddenly, each with a small pop!

The boys entered the room, the presents still under the tree—confirming that the two witches had waited for them—.

"Well, well, I think it's time to open the presents now, don't you think Jamie?" Al asked loudly hoping the girls had heard him and they had as they turned and beamed at the boys, each standing in their turn and making their way to them. Anna smiled brightly at James, having noticed Al's reaction after their kiss, she decided to pretend that it never happened. Something that Clover, Winky, Tilly, and herself had been discussing before they had changed their conversation to their families when they heard the boys coming.

"Yes," Clove said with a bright smile at Al, Anna knew she liked him a lot. When the girls were drunk in their in Dormitories Clover had let it slip in a druken giggle, Mia pinned her down and forced her to stay it a little louder, to which she had confessed after turning the Gryffindor crimson, making all the girls am confess who they liked; Clover it was Al—Anna telling her she could have him after their kiss—, Mia it was Peter, Holly it was obviously her boyfriend, Irys liked Thomas, Weave liked Cedric, and all the girls had gasped and stared at Anna when she'd confessed her feelings for James. "Let's, we've waited long enough." She added, fixing her glasses in a shy smile.

James went to the tree and grabbed three wrapped presents, one of them had a big big black bow on the deep plum wrapping paper, the other of the three was a nice yellow bow decorating a shimmery black box, te third was a silver-like substance and Anna couldn't help but stare at it, confused as to what it was.

He handed the three presents out, the one with the big black bow went to Anna with a look of pure adoration, the one with the yellow bow went to Clover with a caring smile, and finally the last went to Al, who spluttered out his tea at the sight of another gift.

Anna opened hers and found a bunch of Honeyduke's Sugar Quills with were currently Anna's complete obsession at the moment -the moment she saw it, she'd jumped up and hugged him tightly in thanks he hugged her back and kissed her temple in a friendly manner to which she didn't mind, simply oblivious to his returned feelings for her-, Clover opened hers next and found a large set of books—to which she squealed loudly and hugged him tightly repeating her thanks in a million—, Al's gift was a simple silver cloth; it looked like a shining robe, he tried in on and his body disappeared.

"I know what that is!" Clover gasped as she looked up from her new books. "That's an Invisibility Cloak!" She squealed. "Pull it over your head Al you'll disappear completely," she added, her chocolate eyes alight with awe and wonder. "Where ever did you get it Jamie?" She asked looking at the boy, whom had been watching Anna's reaction to Al's gift.

Al pulled the cloak over his head and his head—in its turn—disappeared from sight. Anna stared at the spot from where he had just disappeared in complete wonder.

"It was my Dad's," he said matter-of-factly. "Dad told me I could have it, told me to use it wisely. But I figured Al could also use it at home to hide from that bitch." James said, cringing as he recalled the Howler. The moment passed and with that his face relaxed as he clapped his hands together. "Now who wants to watch me open my presents?" The lot laughed as they sat down and watched James open up his gifts.

So here is it, Chapter 8 hope you all enjoyed it. ~ T. T. Zoldy