Jane's mother and sister, and Mrs. Longbottom had gone back to their homes after the start of the Hogwarts school year. They felt that it was really just Jane and Neville who were in danger. For Christmas break, they were going back to the safe house, and Jane's grandmother was also going to come this time.
Jane had had a lot of homework lately, and she felt the need to knit a Christmas present for everyone that she would be spending Christmas with, plus Hermione and Luna. Fortunately, knitting usually helped relieve stress somewhat. She looked forward to relaxing over Christmas break.
Everyone sat at the table, around their feast. They had all agreed to do a Birtch family tradition, which began the first year Jane went off to Hogwarts. It was called December Thanksgiving.
"Now we go around and say what we're thankful for," Jane's mother explained, to the people who had never celebrated Thanksgiving before. "I'll go first. I'm thankful for my family."
Jane's sister went next. "I'm thankful magic exists."
Jane said, "I'm thankful I have family and friends who are still alive."
"I'm thankful I was happily married for over forty years," Jane's grandmother said.
"I'm thankful I'm free," Sirius said.
"I'm thankful Sirius is free," Lupin said, "and for Wolfbane potion."
"I'm thankful Nevill's still alive a sane," Mrs. Longbottom said.
Neville hesitated and then spoke. "I'm thankful no one I love has been killed since Voldemort came back."
On Christmas morning, everyone was taking turns opening gifts, when Jane saw Kreacher peek at them through the doorway. "Kreacher, come here," she said, grabbing a wrapped package.
Kreacher miserably walked up to her. "What do you want?" he gripped.
Jane handed him the package, not noticing that everyone was staring at her.
"What am I supposed to do with this?"
"Open it, it's for you," Jane said.
"Is this some sort of trick?"
"No."
Kreacher hesitated, and then he opened the package to reveal a hand-knit blanket Jane had made. Kreacher started to cry.
"I'm sorry," Jane said. "Was that an inappropriate gift?"
"I think he's just touched that someone gave him a present," Lupin said.
"Why did you bother?" Sirius asked.
"Well, I made a present for everyone else who was going to be here today. I figured I should include him."
"Gran, are we going to get to go and see Mum and Dad?" Neville asked, later that day.
"That sounds risky. Will you stay close to me the entire time?"
"Yes."
"Go get the flue power."
Back at Hogwarts, Jane and Neville told Hermione and Luna about what happened with Kreacher.
"He got a lot more pleasant after that, and even insisted on doing things to help out," Neville said.
"Well that's good," Hermione said, "seeing as it sounds like he was depressed."