This is a little longer than I planned, but hopefully that's a good thing. Didn't make you wait long because I got reviews!

I couldn't keep a serious face as Kevin reacted to his present. I had helped dad pick it out. Kevin's real present was given to him last week, but Ella didn't know. Yesterday dad and I had gone into the wizarding pet store in London to find a present to stand in today. We didn't want Ella to suspect that the family heirlooms were now in Kevin's custody. They were an impressive number of beautiful jewelry pieces bought over the last century or so. Kevin will want to surprise her over the years with them.

Kevin continued to stare at the present trying to figure it out until Ella reached over and took it. She read the tag and began to laugh. "Good one Mr. Bell! The ministry did just outlaw vanishing animal feces because there was a problem with where it ended up!"

Kevin looked incredulously at my dad, but then glanced at me, "This is you, isn't it?"

That's when I lost it, and couldn't stop laughing even as my dad handed Ella her present. She opened it quickly, and then started to sniffle. I sobered up quickly, "What is it?"

Ella turned it around and all I saw was a small clock. I looked questioningly at my dad, trying to figure out why Ella was emotional. Ella sniffled again, "Look Kevin, you can even see the new baby."

I leaned over and got a closer look at the clock. Huh, it looked very similar to Mrs. Weasley's family clock, but much smaller. I smiled over at my dad, and could tell he was proud of his thoughtful present.

Next my dad picked up Vinny from the floor, "Okay Little Guy, Grandfather is going to help you open your next gift." Together they slowly took the paper off. Once it was open, the small wooden box looked vaguely familiar. When my dad opened the hinged lid, and poured out the antique blocks I raised my eyebrows and looked at Kevin. He looked just as surprised as me.

Vinny laughed and began to pick up the blocks one by one to show them to his grandfather. Dad looked happy and tried to make a surprised expression for each block. "Well thank you very much dad. I will make sure those are kept safe. I am surprised that you let him open them."

Dad nodded, "Since he was born, I've been working on a charm for them. They should not get any further damage, and I only ask if years from now that you keep them safe if they do begin to show wear. I know in the past you had always wanted to play with them, but I never made time to work on the charm. I hope now your son can at least enjoy them, while.. keeping the value the same."

Kevin nodded, but Ella looked confused. "Value?" I smiled, because I love hearing this story. When I was younger, I would make my mum tell me it before I went to sleep.

Kevin picked up a block and showed it to her, "It's a long story love, but these were made by a legendary witch Ursula Southeil. Around 1559 shortly before her death, William Bell was in Yorkshire. At that time witches and wizards were unknown to each other if not in the same family due to the fact that it was not safe to communicate. William was newly married to a witch named Roslyn Prewitt, and they were traveling on their honeymoon. When the local villagers told tales of a sorcerer who told the future nearly as well as Nostradamus, Roslyn wanted desperately to talk with her. Roslyn had recently been having nightmares that never took shape, and was convinced this woman could warn her of what she needed to know. To make the story a little shorter, when the couple visited the Ursula, she gave them a potion.

The three stayed and talked, but the only thing the woman would tell about the potion was when to drink it. They visited the woman on July 14th, and Roslyn was to drink it on March 6th at midday meal. The happy couple left to continue on their honeymoon, but had made a friend.

Now William forgot about the potion, but his wife did not. As she grew with child she became nervous about the potion, but trusted Ursula. Through her pregnancy she sent letters back and forth with the old woman for advice on raising a child among other things, for she had no mother of her own.

On March 6th Roslyn woke up in the early morning with labor pains. The labor progressed slowly till midday, when she finally took the potion in secret. Within the hour the couple had a healthy baby boy who they named William.

Now Roslyn was convinced that Ursula was a witch. Since Roslyn was so happy with her husband and child, she was saddened that the old witch was left to live alone in her old age. In the letter announcing the baby's birth, Roslyn invited the old woman to live with them near London so she would not be alone. The next letter was a refusal, but Ursula reassured Roslyn it was for her own safety since the population believed Ursula to be a sorcerer. A book of wizarding fairy tales was also sent, which was actually the first edition of The Tales of the Beedle Bard. My mum actually sold that to the a museum in Italy, because she felt it was too priceless for one family to keep. Father of course let her do whatever made her happy. The other present for the infant was the block set you see here. Each block is a different color with a letter and objects for each letter of the alphabet. If you look closely, the detail is amazing. The detail, story behind them, and their age would make these nearly priceless." Kevin finished as he picked up his son and kissed the top of his head. "I promise to check and make sure the charm is working dad."

"Wooow" Ella said looking at the blocks more closely. "That's such an marvelous story. Are you sure you want Vinny to play with them?" She looked nervous as her son gnawed on the block.

Dad smiled and laughed. "I'm positive the strengthened indestructible charm will keep the blocks safe. They've survived this long, so maybe Ursula herself had already put one on them. Kevin was such a rambunctious child that I kept the tradition my grandfather started of keeping them in the safe."

Ella nodded and took the block that Vinny was holding to hold it in front of him, "You better tell your Grandfather thank you Vincent Michael." Vinny turned and gave my dad a huge smile, and then reached for the block. Ella held it back and pointed, "You want the H block? The H block has a hippogriff, herbology, Hogwarts, Hungarian-horntail and house-elf. Wow the pictures are intricate! Look Kevin, there's Hogwarts castle!"

"How would you know what it looks like?" Kevin joked as he glanced at the block. He has seen them all before.

I turned to my dad hopefully, "Now is it my turn?"

"Of course Kathryn. Now this is really from your mum, but..." I gasp as he pulls out a small box that I recognize. I blink rapidly to hold back the tears as I rub my hand along the smooth wooden surface. There is a painting of a rose at the center of the lid, but beyond that the dark wood is bare with intricate carved detailing on the edging. I carefully open the lid and cannot stop the tears as I spot a few of my mum's possessions. "Now I only kept two of the Bell heirlooms in here, because they were your mum's favorite. I was sure your brother and Ella wouldn't mind. The rest are the items I personally bought for her, and I know she would want you to have."

As I inspect the enlarged inside of the jewelry box, I can remember my mum wearing certain pieces. I smile my thanks to my dad and lean against his shoulder. He puts his arm around me and I close the lid and hold the box close to my chest. I feel so close to my mother in this moment, and couldn't be happier that my dad is actually home. What a perfect Christmas.

...

"Now Kathryn, I have been very proud of you these last few years. You conduct yourself in a wonderful manner, but this year will be slightly different." Grandmum paused to take a sip of her tea. I watch her carefully as she sets down her cup again. We have been enjoying lunch together a couple days after Christmas. Her and Grandfather are finally home, and we have been catching up.

"I hope I am being overly cautious, but I know that we must discuss this issue." She looks very serious now.

"Issue? Have I done something wrong?"

"Oh no. This is simply more pureblood politics that I need to make sure you understand. Now that you are graduated from Hogwarts, more of the pureblood males will be keeping an eye on you. We have discussed traditions in the past, but you know that your Grandfather and I do not care if you marry a pureblood. After saying all of that, you must keep in mind the potential dangers of the time. If what Dumbledore says is true, than the second war is in the beginning stages and death eaters are reassembling in secret. With this comes the recruitment of the younger generation. My thinking is that since you are very young, pureblood woman who was recently injured, you will not be directly recruited. I do think that you are at risk from those who see you as a way to further their future."

"How could I do that?" I ask anxiously.

"You are a beautiful, wealthy, pureblood woman who comes from impeccable lineage. In times to come, all of those are attributes that will be valued." Grandmum said gravely. I try to keep my breathing regular, but I can feel a tightness in my chest. "This is just a warning sweetheart. I want you to be prepared. You are very well protected. At events such as the Montressor Ball, there are many powerful people from our community. They may try to make a statement. I assume you will be a target for the young men to dance with, but I just want you to be cautious. Especially around midnight, I want you to be with someone you trust."

"Midnight? Like for a kiss? I don't have anyone who-" I can hear the nervousness in my voice.

Grandmum cuts in, "I'm sorry for worrying you Kathryn. I promise you that everything will work out. I just wanted you to know what we are potentially up against. Nothing to worry about too seriously, yet. Now let's discuss a more uplifting topic. No use debating something that is in the future."

For the rest of the evening, we discuss details about the upcoming ball, and I have the last fitting for my gown. In the back of my mind, I remember the warning and hope that it wasn't needed.

..

The song came to an end, and I smiled at Zach. How many times has he been my first dance at this ball? It's always great to catch up in the receiving line, and then official start the party by dancing together.

The next handful of dances are with men I know in passing, but are a few years older. They admitted to never have asked me to dance before because I was still in school. Most of them were Slytherins while at Hogwarts, so I was worried that my Grandmum was right. After the 7th man asked me, I was really starting to get anxious. Was this somehow political? I saw Kevin striding towards the dance floor to interrupt the dance, and felt my anxiety rise even more. Hopefully no one could tell my feelings. Grandmum stopped him, and I couldn't hide my nervous giggle as she seemed to lecture him on decorum.

All of my dance partners were proper and almost overly polite. I was that glad Grandmum warned me that this may occur, or I would be confused. The Slytherin passed me from one to the other. I smiled humbly as each partner commented me on my appearance, just as all of the last ones had. The conversations with each partner was nearly the same as the last.

As one song ended, I saw my salvation. Cal Bonner, famous qudditich player, and ladies man could walk up to any woman to request a dance. It appeared this is the man that Grandmum decided could interrupt the politics. "Hey babe. I've missed you since the squirt's birthday. Please tell me you've missed me too."

I sigh, "Hello Cal. Are you going to ask me for a dance, or are you just here to annoy Kev."

He smirked at me partner, "He hates it when the teammates are near the baby sister. Sorry you only got one dance mate, but she's a hot commodity. Literally." He raises his eyebrow and twirls me away with a flair for dramatics. After we are across the floor he mutters, "Bleeding Slytherins."

I look at him in surprise, "You went to Hogwarts?"

He shrugs, "Yeah, year ahead of your brother."

"What house?"

"Hufflepuff," he answers automatically.

"Really?!" I can't hide my surprise.

"I'm going to pretend I'm not offended by your tone. I'm too dumb to be a Ravenclaw, too smart to be a risky Gryffindor, and I would never have been in Slytherin." He looks annoyed, which is a first because he's usually so easy going. I guess I can see the Hufflepuff traits now.

"What's got you stressing?" I ask gently.

"Just the fact that your brother was about to react to the show of political claiming that was happening on the dance floor. I would never use a young woman just of age to.." He trails off as if he feels he said too much.

"My Grandmum had warned me. She hoped it wouldn't happen, but figured it would. Old traditions, especially ones that cause controversy are hard to break." I say in a little voice.

He frowns at me, "Let's go get some air. Bryan just made his way out there. He can be your next dance." He takes my hand and leads me outside onto the balcony, "Bryan, how's your night?"

The other large beater looks over at us and smirks, "Much better now that my captain's sister is with us. He almost lost his cool. Good work. Who knows what coach would have done if Bell would have lost it in front of the important people here."

"Yeah, especially because Coach is already so mad at Wood" Cal looked around to make sure none of the other guests were near.

Bryan chuckled, "Glad he finally grew a pair and put his foot down. Can't believe it took so long considering."

I couldn't hold back any longer, "Oliver is in trouble?"

Cal smirked, "Oh you didn't hear yet? Little Woodie finally told Puddlemere's owner he wouldn't pretend to date the Harpie any longer."

Bryan shook his head, "It's too bad she's a crazy one. She's a looker."

Cal glanced at my look of surprise, "I think the problem was she wasn't used to getting rejected. She wanted to make it real, and not just for publicity for the teams. Didn't you know?"

The conversation continues, but I couldn't help but to think that, NO! I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS ALL FOR PUBLICITY! I try not to show my confusion and feeling of betrayal. Why did no one tell me? Ella had to know!

Timmy walks out onto the balcony. He escorts me back in to dance, but not before instructing Bryan to find me soon to dance. I roll my eyes at his tenseness. "How's your night been Timothy?"

He relaxes, "I've seen better days. Are you having a good time?"

I shrug, "It's been interesting. I did just hear some interesting gossip."

He looks intrigued, "Which was?"

"That Oliver was never really dating that Harpie besides for publicity." I blurt out. Timmy looks surprised, "You didn't know either?!"

Timmy shook his head, "No I knew from the beginning. I just figured you knew too."

I snort, "How would I know? They looked like the perfect couple."

There was a long pause, "Well I thought we were all in agreement. We wanted you and Oliver to end up together?"

I'm so surprised I can't form a reply for half a minute. I'm sure my face has never been more red, "Who is we?"

Timmy simply shrugs in a noncommittal response as Kevin walks over to take my next dance. The rest of the night is passing me from one man to the next with only an occasional Slytherin. I can tell my Grandmum is beyond pleased. I wonder who her new prospects are for my future husband.

A little before midnight, I relieved to find myself dancing with Cal again and not a Slytherin. He seems to have had a couple drinks, but is not drunk. What concerns me, is the mischief in his eyes.

"I haven't seen you in a while Katie, but I had the pleasure of meeting your friend Alicia." He starts the conversation on a surprisingly neutral topic.

I had noticed them dancing a while ago. His charm had led to Alicia giggling like a little fan girl the entire dance. I'm sure he loved that. "She's a sweet girl."

"Yeah, imagine my surprise when she told me a few of the numerous plots her and your other friends thought up for you and Wood." Cal watches my expression.

"She didn't!" I whisper in mortification as I blush.

He leaned closer to whisper in my ear."Oh she did. Imagine how heartbroken I was when I heard you've had your eye on him since before we met."

My pulse is pounding in my ears, and I try not to think about how bad the situation is. I close my eyes to block out my embarrassment, "Please don't tell him." I finally get out in a very quiet voice.

Cal pauses and only then do I open my eyes. He's looking at me with a kind smile, "Oh Katie you have nothing to worry about." It's only then that I realize that the whole room is counting down to the new year. Cal leans in and gently redirects my gaze up towards him with his fingertip under my chin. "You are very beautiful Kathryn Bell. I cannot help but to enjoy this even if it is to make him mad. Maybe if things were different."

His lips brush mine tentatively for only a second before he deepens it. His arm snakes around the small of my back bringing me closer while the other finds its way to intimately hold the back of my neck. I can tell he's had lots a practice in seducing women with only a kiss, and it works well for him.

He pulls back but only an inch or two. My breaths are coming out in gasps, and he smirks cockily. "I think he's about to kill me, but at least I got a worthwhile kiss in. If you don't want him, even though you are so young, I will wait for you." He brushes our lips again before he deepens it to the seductive kiss again. He's much too talented at this. I've now completely forgotten we are in a room full of people.

Least until I hear a voice being cleared right behind my ear. I pull back and am relieved to see only Ella. I send her an embarrassed smile, and am about to make a joke when I notice a livid Kevin standing behind her. I gulp and take a step back, which didn't help matters because I ran right into Cal.

Kevin literally growls when suddenly a tipsy Alicia is standing in front of me defensively. Kevin doesn't even seem to notice her, but Ella looks at her with a smile, "He's not going to hurt her."

"I know but if he hurts Cal this is kinda my fault." Alicia sounds sheepish.

Ella looks intrigued, "Maybe we should take this to the library for privacy. Come on Kevin."

We all begin to walk towards the exit in the back of the room. I'm surprised more people aren't looking our way. I do notice my Grandmum's concerned gaze. Hopefully she isn't disappointed about my kissing in public. Suddenly Timmy and Bryan are catching up and all too soon we are in the library.

Kevin enters last and slams the door. He glares at Cal and basically ignores everyone else. No one noticed Oliver open the door and sneak in.

"Now Bell, I understand she's your sister, but nothing inappropriate happened." Cal begins in a soothing tone.

"NOT INAPPROPRIATE?!" Kevin booms stepping forward. "That was my BABY sister you were just trying to seduce. You forget I know you well Bonner."

Cal starts to reply, but I know nothing he says will get through to Kevin right now so I step in front of him, "Okay Kevin, you can over react a little, but that's going too far! He was not trying to seduce me!"

Bryan snorts his disagreement, but also steps next to Cal, "I'm not sure about that, but I'm positive that this can be worked out on the field. Where there are no ladies present. Right Wood?"

I swing around and see Oliver standing near the door glaring at Cal as well. He walks slowly over towards Kevin and Timmy. "I think one punch should hold Kevin over till practice."

Alicia looks really guilty, and I can tell she's feeling bad she instigated this by telling Cal about Oliver. I decide I have to tell a partial truth, or she will try to fix it and make it worse. "STOP!" I say to gain everyone's attention. "You should all be thanking Cal!"

"WHAT?" Kevin, Timmy, and Oliver were all staring at me incredulously. I think quickly, and try to blink rapidly as if I'm trying not to cry. I look meaningfully at Alicia and shake my head as if saying not to tell. "Can we just leave it at he was doing me a favor? This is so embarrassing."

"No" is Kevin's only clipped response.

I turn to Cal and give him a discrete look that only Ella can see, as if to say 'play along.' "I was told by one of the guys I danced with today that I needed to think carefully about who my first kiss of the new year. He could have been joking, but all I could think about was what Grandmum said. How everything we do can be considered political. I panicked! I talked to Alicia because I was scared! No one wanted to kiss me at midnight, so I had to figure out something! I didn't want someone to use the kiss to be political. Anyways, Alicia had this stupid idea that we needed someone to kiss me, but it had to be believable that it was just romantic. Well you guys saw her talk to Cal. I didn't even know she told him until Cal admitted it before the kiss." I take a deep breath and hope my blush from lying is interpreted as embarrassment.

There was a silence where the guys looked shocked and outraged. The story is kinda true. Grandmum DID tell me something similar. It just wasn't one of the guys. I've been so stressed about acting correctly tonight.

I was surprised when Cal pulled me close to hug me to him. He kissed my forehead whispered, "Oh Katie I'm sorry. You're telling the truth aren't you?" My only response is a sob that I can't hold back any longer. He begins to rub soothing circles on my back as I cry. All of the tension of the night has culminated to this breaking point. He begins to talk quietly to me, and I can tell there are quiet conversations going on around me.

I slow my breathing and am done crying. I don't step out of Cal's arms because I'm embarrassed. I feel Alicia walk over and she takes my hand. She then leans in and whispers, "I'm sorry I didn't realize why you were stressed. I thought it was because of you know who. I feel so guilty."

I squeeze her hand as Cal pulls her in so she is hugging both myself and Cal. "Well, aren't I a lucky man? And I can't even get in trouble, because I did you a favor Bell." There is no response, so Cal must be off the hook. "It's not every day you have to kiss the most beautiful woman in the room for her own safety. I'm a damn lucky man, aren't I Bryan?"

"Don't push it Bonner." Kevin sounds merely annoyed, and much closer. "Come here Kate." He finishes in a soft tone. I turn quickly, and bury my face in his chest. "I wish you would have told me."

"I know, you just were already so mad about the dances." I glance back at Timmy. "You even admitted to me he almost caused a scene."

Timmy looked guilty, "I didn't mean to make you feel like you couldn't ask us for help."

"I know." There was a long pause where no one knew what to say. "Come on Alicia. We better get back out there before my Grandmum worries. I promise to stay off the dance floor for the rest of the night Kevin. I'll make sure to talk to all of Grandmum's friends like a proper hostess."

PLEASE tell me you liked it?! Review feedback! I want to show the war from a different perspective! Will update next week if I get reviews, favorites, and follows!

~Grace