AN: To all of my reviewers, THANK-YOU! I don't know if you all know it, but every time I open my e-mail to see all of those reviews sitting there, my heart just sings! I'm so happy that you all like this story, your comments and guesses for what's going to happen bring a big huge smile to my face because you're all getting as into the story as I am.

I'm happy that you all enjoy the humor, I kind of have to throw it in, otherwise this fic would be utterly dark and depressing. Also, glad that some people like how I portray Remus. And yes, to those wondering (since present day will take place during both the third and fourth book) the subject of what Remus does for a living after Hogwarts (or even before Hogwarts) will come up, so will the soul-mate issue (many, many, times). Like I said, this is gonna be a really huge story. I like long stories, and I hope you all do too…because the way this one is going it's never going to end. Really, I swear.

On a side note before we get started…does anyone else find it weird that last night while dreaming I only dreamed of Harry Potter? It was the weirdest thing, but very enjoyable. It just goes to show that I'm thinking about this fic every waking (and sleeping) moment. Okay. Okay.

On with the story…

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Chapter Twenty-Three

(December. 1st, 1976)

As the Winter Holiday's drew closer, Remus noticed a change in Kit that he didn't like. In fact, he wasn't the only one that noticed the change, James, Sirius, Lily, and even Peter noticed that something wasn't right. During meals she'd only eat a few bites of what Remus put on her plate before shoving it in Peter's direction (not that Peter was complaining), She also didn't talk much now okay, so she never talked much to begin with, but it was like she totally closed down, and what only Remus knew was that she wasn't sleeping.

Her sleeping habits were starting to affect him, she tossed and turned and even left the bed way to early in the morning. This left a worried, and very sleep deprived Remus. She told him that she was just worried about her mother being in the coma…but he felt like there was something else that was bothering her, and it was driving him crazy.

Currently both Remus and Kit sat in the library, which for once was actually busy with students trying to finish their holiday work now so they didn't have to actually do it over the holiday. Remus was absentmindedly chewing on his sugar quill, and Kit was scribbling rather furiously at the piece of parchment that was in front of her.

"Kitten, is there something bothering you that you're not telling me?" He asked finally, Remus had enough of it…he really did, he wanted to know, to understand how she felt. He didn't like her being closed off and brushing him off whenever he told her to eat more or try and sleep more.

She looked up, quill stopping mid-sentence. "What do you mean?"

"Well, the past few days you just seem on another world or something. Even Peter is beginning to notice, and he doesn't notice anything other then food…"

She sighed, "It's just my mother."

"Are you sure?"

"What?"

"I mean" Remus started, "Is it really just your mother that's bothering you? It's just your so…rundown lately and I'm worried."

Kit gave a small smile, so small in fact that Remus barely seen it before it flashed away. "I'm sorry that I've been worrying you, I really am…it's just, my mum and going back home…I'm just--just stressed, that's all."

And no matter how much Remus wanted to believe that was the only thing that was bothering her, he couldn't. He didn't want to think that she'd lie to him…and maybe that really was all that was wrong with her, but still, in the back of his mind; all he could do was worry.

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Kit knew her friends were worried, in fact the question Remus had asked while they were still in the library didn't come as a surprise. She knew he wanted to know what was going on, she knew that he knew that something other then what she was telling him was wrong. She just couldn't bring herself to tell him, and even if she did…what would she say? 'My father is a freak of nature and he tortures me for the pleasure of it…oh, yeah you can't tell anyone I told you that because he'll kill me if I finds out I told.' Yes, that would go over well…

The winter holiday's were all she could think about, how could she not? The snow was floating around outside, decorations were being put up, everywhere she turned Kit was reminded about the damn Holiday's. Although, no matter how sad she was, and how little she looked forward to the holiday…her friends made everything a little more bearable.

It was later that night, when they all picked a name from what used to be a bowl that held fruit. It was Lily's idea, instead of calling it secret Santa as the Muggles did, they called it secret Wizard. Due to the fact that they were still young and didn't have much money to spend, they would each draw a name from the bowl and get a gift for that name only.

It was the little things like 'Secret Wizard' that made Kit forget how much she was dreading the impending holiday. James, Sirius, Remus, Lily, Peter, and of course Kit all sat in a circle near the fire. Lily had to explain to the boys what exactly 'Secret Wizard/Santa' was. Once Lily was certain that the boys understood the bowl was passed around.

Kit glanced down at the sheet of parchment in her hand and she couldn't help but smile just a little bit, the name she choose from the bowl…none other then…

Sirius Black.

All Kit could wonder, was what the hell she would get him. Kit was also thankful for the fact she still had some money left from when she bought her school supplies for the year. It would hopefully be just enough to get Sirius something and Remus something.

The only good thing about the dilemma of wondering what to get them was that she wasn't thinking about her father for once. After drawing names, the small group talked a little bit (or rather dropped hints about what they wanted) before going to bed.

This time, Kit wasn't the only girl in the boy's dorms. Lily had decided that breaking the rules for one night wouldn't be so bad. Lily had also went about whispering in Kit's ear how she had actually wanted to come up to the boy's dorms and snuggle with James for awhile now, she was just to chicken to try it.

Kit fell into the soft and comfortable bed next to Remus, who pulled her close to his body. Holding her in such a protective hold that it dared anyone to try and take her out of his arms. Her eyes remained open for a long time, just looking out the window and watching the white flakes of snow fall while everyone else in the room went to sleep.

"You know I'm here for you no matter what right?" Remus whispered in her ear softly, his lips so close to her ear that it sent shivers down her spine. She smiled, and wondered if Remus knew how much hearing those words meant to her.

That night she didn't sleep at all, instead she thought of what she would get for Remus and Sirius during their trip to Hogsmeade in the morning. Kit also thought of something, that made her snuggle closer to the sleeping form of Remus, well it wasn't really a thought as much as it was a daydream. She lay there in his arms, thinking about the winter holiday's with her father and being rescued by Remus who would beat her father up in a way she could never be strong enough too.

A small smile touched her lips, wondering if Remus could ever save her in real life like he did in her dream world.

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Remus was woken the next day by James and a glass of cold water being splashed on his face. It wasn't the best way to wake up, but definitely not the worst. Remus was also rather shocked when he found the spot on the bed next to him empty. Apparently his confusion showed because James started to explain as he tugged on a shoe.

"Lily dragged Kit out of here at dawn, I'm pretty sure that Lily was terrified of getting caught or something." James said, smiling thoughtfully. "Now I know why you and the sad Kitten like it so much."

Remus grinned, sleepily rubbing his eyes as a yawn escaped his lips. He stretched out on the bed for a moment, before his tall form would get up. He was fairly certain that today would be a good day, in fact every day that they went to Hogsmeade was a good day.

Remus also already knew what he was going to get his 'Secret Wizard' Peter was probably the easiest one in the group to shop for. Candy and all sorts of food would make that boy happy, thus he was easy to shop for. Kit on the other hand…he wanted to get something special for her to show her how much he cared, but honestly he had never bought a girl a present (unless you counted his mother) in his life.

He mused about what he would get for Kit while he dressed and used his hand to comb out his hair. James was already talking about what he was going to get for Lily, a bracelet with her birthstone in it, along with the words James loves Lily etched into it. That was a good idea and all, but James was the rich one of the group…pulling a gift like that off was easy for him. Remus on the other hand, he had enough money but he couldn't get something so dramatic.

Although, a smile touched his face upon hearing what James was getting Lily…because he did have a good idea about it being jewelry…and not all jewelry was expensive. He had the perfect idea!

By the time the boys got ready and headed down to the common room, both Lily and Kit were sitting with their heads together looking at the Daily Prophet. Kit was smiling, and it made Remus feel a tad better, but even as she smiled while Lily talked…she still looked sad. But then again, when didn't she?

When they left for Hogsmeade, Kit happily accepted his arm that he offered to her. They trailed behind the others quite a bit, both of them kicking at the fresh new snow that had fallen the night before. "What was Lily talking about that had you two smiling? Something devious going on?" Remus asked, glancing down at her shorter form for a moment.

"Not really devious, she was just telling me what her gift to James was going to be." Kit explained, with a shrug of her shoulders.

"And what's it going to be?"

"You really think I'm going to tell you?"

"Well…it was worth a try." He said, watching the students a head of them. Sirius had just formed a snowball and caused it to smash into the side of Peter's head…let the mayhem begin. Kit was in higher spirits, and as much as he wanted to ask her why she didn't seem so down, he didn't want to risk asking her just incase she closed down.

He just wanted to enjoy the happy Kit while it lasted. He just wished that she would always be happy…

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Kit wanted more then anything for the day to last. Because, when it ended she knew that she only had the holiday to look forward to again. During her time spent in Hogsmeade she had more fun then she had ever had before. It started off with helping Remus get a gift for Peter (A tin can of chocolate and a few unusual sweets) in Honeydukes, and then Remus helping her get a gift for Sirius (101 joke spells for the bored) in the nearby book store. Once their 'Secret Wizard' gifts were out of the way, they met up with the rest of the group in the Three Broomsticks.

This is when the fun actually began, James and Sirius had bewitched Peter's Butterbeer to dance away every time he reached for it. After lunch, before they could split off into groups again the snowball fight began. Before she knew it, the fight had turned to boys against girls. Which was highly unfair, but thanks to Lily's quick thinking and charming the snow, the girls won hands down.

They split off into groups again, this time Kit was paired with Peter. He wasn't that bad, and actually had some helpful tips about what to get Remus. Kit though, nearly screamed with joy when she found the perfect thing for Remus. It was so utterly perfect that even Peter nodded his chubby head in agreement that Remus would love it.

Kit spent the rest of the day, wandering around the small town with Peter who she found was actually pretty nice (but she still didn't like him that much), he told her all about his plans for the holiday's were and Kit listened with rapt attention…it was just, listening to him rant and rave about how great his holiday was going to be…

Kit started to think about how horrible her's was going to be. Bring out the ticker-tape, it looked like the pity party was going to begin. She sighed with that thought, she really shouldn't feel bad for herself. There were people out there with worse life's then hers…but still…

Meeting up with the other's to head back, Remus wrapped his arm around her shoulder with a loving glance. A sigh escaped her lips, the Hogsmeade trip was over and in a few short days she would be home.

Without Remus or any of her new friends.

She could only pray that it wouldn't be that bad.

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AN: Okay, so this is the last chapter before the winter holiday's begin (for both present and '76). Didn't let you know the gifts that Kit and Remus got each other, but it will be known in the next chapter or so. Also, who got Kit as a 'Secret Wizard/Santa'?

Hmm, not much else to note here. Didn't really like the chapter that much, but maybe that's because I'm itching to get to the drama and angst… Going to go and enjoy writing the fluff in present day now.

Toodles.