AN: Yeah yeah, I know I said I'd try to update sooner, but this chapter had to be pushed back because I combed through the POA book again. I think I must of used like two booklets of post-it stamps for notes and the like. All I can say is that it's going to be a bitch to write when well, we all know what happens at the end of POA, but all I can say is well…Kit's there, and hmm…what could possibly happen?

Runs and jumps into writing.

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Chapter Thirty-Nine

(Christmas Night)

-1976-

Getting ready for the party at the ministry was something that was very obviously easier said then done. Picking out dress robes was one thing, watching as total chaos erupted around you was another. The door to Kit's room was open, so as she sat on her bed contemplating what to do, she was able to see James running back and forth first in his pants and a shirt that looked several sizes to small. Kit was also able to see how Mr. Potter did nearly the exact same thing, he even yelled for Mrs. Potter in the same manor as James (Which in all entirety was basically a whine).

Their were clothes floating back and forth in the air, shoes were being tossed back and forth, and Kit was just watching in awe as the family scrambled to get ready. When things finally started to calm down outside, Mrs. Potter walked into Kits room. The door was shut behind the witch with a simple wave of her wand and a chuckle, "Sometimes I don't know what to do with those two." Was said, and Kit could only grin ever so slightly.

Mrs. Potter looked…radiant, her brown hair was tied back with dragon clips, curls toppling down to her shoulders, elegant dark blue robes were adorned. Kit could only hope to look half as good as that woman did one day.

"I thought that since there is a little time to spare before we take the portkey to the ministry I could help you with your hair and make-up?" Mrs. Potter asked, holding up a small bag, much like the one Lily had in her hands only a few months previous when she wanted to give Kit a makeover.

A nod was given, she could probably use it after all right? The Potters would undoubtedly look, well they would look as if they belonged in some sort of muggle fashion magazine, and Kit was just…well, Kit. She needed that little extra boost.

So on the bed Mrs. Potter went, to sit right in front of Kit and thus beginning their actual mother-daughter relationship. They talked as they sat there of course, Mrs. Potter asking Kit about everything, including her relationship with Remus, who Mrs. Potter called an 'upstanding boy'. Apparently it wasn't just around School where Remus was known to keep James and Sirius in order.

"You sound like you miss him something terrible." Mrs. Potter said, as she took strands of Kit's hair and pinned them back away from her face with little combs that were a very pretty jade hue.

"I do…I know it's silly only a few months and all…" Kit responded, biting her bottom lip for a moment. It was hard not seeing Remus for awhile, she didn't understand how she could even still walk around because she missed him so much. All she wanted to do was bury herself in bed and cry.

"It isn't silly at all dear, you should have seen him when…well you know." Ah yes, Kit knew exactly what Mrs. Potter meant. It seemed that the family started to call her situation with her 'father' just only a week ago, 'you know' as if they were scared saying 'when you were beat within an inch of your life by a man who was supposed to protect and love you.' "He was really in a state."

"He saved my life." was all Kit said to Mrs. Potter who was currently putting a light shade of gold powder over the lids of Kit's eyes now that she was done with her hair.

"He loves you." Mrs. Potter stated, and Kit arched her brow. "Call it a mothers intuition, and you will see him sooner then you think."

"What do you mean?"

"His father works with the Ministry. Remus should be at the party with his family."

And with that Kit's hear sang, she was going to get to see Remus! So what if well, it had really only been twenty-four hours since seeing him last; she was still aloud to miss him right? Mrs. Potter put the finishing touches of make-up on Kit's face with a proud smile.

The clock chimed, and it was time to go; Kit was getting up but Mrs. Potter was transfixed with the photo on the night table next to Kit's bed. "Is that your--?"

"Yes, that's my mum." Kit nodded, glancing down towards the picture she had been gazing at only hours earlier.

"Who is that man with her?" Ah, so Mrs. Potter knew that the man in the photo wasn't Kit's 'father', although Kit simply figured that Mr. Potter must have described Ethan Anderson, and the man in the picture definitely did not look like Ethan Anderson.

"I don't know." It was the truth, while she knew that the man in the photo was her father; she had no names or no knowledge of him. Mrs. Potter made a slight noise, but instead of pushing the subject farther she went about picking up the makeup that had been used.

It was strange though…almost as if…Kit shook her head, for a moment there she actually thought that Mrs. Potter recognized that man in the photo.

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The Potters arrived at the ministry at ten after seven, ten minutes after the actual party started. Mrs. Potter just explained that being the first to arrive seemed so…tacky almost. Okay, so maybe there was a little bit of that pure blood spite in her. The inside of the ministry of magic department was decorated in such a fashion that Kit's mouth had hung open as her eyes darted around trying to drink in all of the eye-food.

Candles glittered in the air, red, green, and gold fae fluttered around near the ceiling making it look like there were dancing lights everywhere, the trees were huge complete with silver and deep purple garland, mistle toe was charmed and floated around the room. It was simply…amazing.

Not to mention all of the wizards and witches dressed to the nines. Suddenly Kit had felt very out of place, figuring that she should have worn that white lace robe instead of the black and blue one she had on. Everyone looked so fancy…so high class.

After a moment or two she felt a hand on her chin, which promptly caused her mouth to shut. Blue eyes strayed over towards James who had his trademark lopsided grin plastered on his face. "Trying to catch Cornish Pixies with your mouth eh?"

"Funny." Was all Kit had been able to say before the Potters were swept up with the crowd. It seemed that Mister and Misses Potter were eager to introduce Kit to everyone. Most people were rather pleasant, talking to Kit and mostly asking her how she liked living with the 'old folks' and how she liked having a new family. Not many people knew of why she had been adopted into the Potters, the story simply was that Kit needed a family and the Potters had been taking applications at the time. This was a relief for Kit, who didn't want to have to explain to everyone she met that night, that she was an unwanted and beaten child.

The thought surely was depressing enough.

After awhile, Kit and James separated from their parents who were busy chatting up with a couple of Aurors. "It's like this all the time Kitten, I think the only reason parents take their children here is so that we can be tortured. It's cruel and unusual punishment I'll say." James told her, clinging to Kit's hand as he led her through the crowd.

"I think it's brilliant." Was all Kit was able to say, as they twisted and winded; occasionally bumping into someone.

"Yeah, you would…this is your first time after all. Wait until you come here every Christmas, Easter, and what ever holiday they decide to make up next." James stopped his rant just as we skidded to a halt in front of Sirius who looked rather dashing in the fancy (even more so then James) robes he wore. Although, Sirius really did look out of place.

"Hullo James, and Kitten glad to see your up and about…"

"Your mum told you to be on your best behavior?" James guessed, his brown eyes glancing around the room for a second.

Sirius cracked a grin, "Yes, the evil hell-beast…oh don't give me that look Kitten…she is a hell-beast…anyway, she told me that if I do anything to embarrass her I'd be locked into a room with that damned Kretcher."

"Poor chap, to bad too; we could've had one interesting night on our hands. All these people in their fancy robes and perfect hair…I'm just itching to cause trouble."

Kit stayed silent, not really bothering to pay attention as she stood their with her brother and Sirius. Instead, her blue hues were darting from person to person. Mrs. Potter said that Remus would be there right? Well, where was he?

"Guess who?" Was said as Kit's vision was obscured by warm pale hands. A smile crossed her face, and she could hear James and Sirius chuckling in the background.

"Remus, yay!" As she turned around his hands left her eyes, and she could see him more properly now. It was no wonder why she didn't see him in the crowd, his sandy brown hair had been cut short, and he was clad in dark hunter green robes…definitely something she didn't think she'd ever see Remus wear.

"Yay?" Was echoed by all three guys that she was surrounded by. A small grin was given as her pale face turned a hue of red.

"What? Can't a girl be excited?"

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The small group talked amongst themselves for a long time, talking about how their Christmas mornings went, and things they wanted to do when they got back to school. One of these said things to do once they got back to school consisted of an interesting idea, suggested by James.

"With exams coming up, and how much Quidditch practice we're going to be doing…well we can't always be their to protect you Kitten, and Lily…" James started, as they sat in a corner of the room.

"Mother was reading the Daily Prophet the other day in absolute glee because of all the attacks on Muggle-borns." Sirius added, frowning ever so slightly.

Remus all the while had a thoughtful expression on his face, and Kit was trying to figure it out…or at least figure out what he was thinking about. His head canted to the side, "You're right James, we can't always be there for the girls…"

"If only there was a way…" James paused for a moment, as if still trying to figure it out in his head; "to be able to know where they were…like…a map of some sort, yes…that's it a map!"

"James, you're brilliant." Sirius started a wide grin on his face, "We can scout the castle, I'm sure there must be thousands of rooms…and we can charm the map to tell us where everyone is…"

"It won't be an easy task." Remus pointed out, tugging Kit close. "But, if it will help us keep the girls safe I'm up for it."

"Besides, you'd probably be able to do more pranks without getting caught." Kit pointed out, causing all eyes to focus on her. James wiped away a fake tear at her statement and gave out a choked sob.

"My dear sister is finally learning how to tap the prankster within. I've never been so proud."

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They talked about the creation of the map for awhile, combing over the fine details of having to set foot in the library (much to the dislike of James and Sirius), how they would have to wander around at night in order to find all the hidden rooms and areas (even ways to get in and out of the castle undetected). All in all, the plan for the map seemed full proof, like there could be no wrong.

They would be able to see where everyone was, thus being able to keep Kit, Lily, and maybe even some of the other muggle-borns of the school safe. They would also be able to wander around undetected at night if they had the map. The boys saw no wrong.

Even Kit had to agree, it was a good plan; she just wondered how they were going to be able to pull it off. It was in talking about these things when something happened that caused their good evening to go down the drain.

"A muggle-born in a pure blood family Potter? The shame." Icy cold voice that made Kit's veins feel as if they were filled with snow rather then blood, spoke.

Her vision gazing upwards Kit got her first sight of the one, and only Lucius Malfoy. Dressed head to toe in black, snow white hair was tied back away from his milky face, and pale blue eyes looked down to Kit as if she was an utter disgust to the human race.

"Ah, Lucius…talking about shame…isn't that a tad well, ironic? After all, didn't you bring shame to the Malfoy name when you killed your own parents?" James asked, as calm and cool as ever.

"I would never--"

"Deny it all you want big guy." Sirius said, obviously the boys were in no way as scared of the white haired man as Kit was.

"Did you have a house-elf pick out your cloths or do you just have horrible taste?" James continued.

Kit instead held tightly on Remus's hand who was rather then paying attention to what his friends were saying, was looking towards Kit with concern. The only question on his mind was why she suddenly seemed so horrified.

"One of these days you and your mud-blood loving will kill you." Was the last angered sentence that Lucius spoke before stalking off into the crowd. Kit bit her bottom lip, she hadn't thought of it before…but the Potters were a pure blood family, and she was…a…a…mud blood. That just didn't fit in normal wizarding society did it?

"Are you okay Kitten?" Remus asked, causing James and Sirius to look towards Kit as well. She gave a shrug, she was with friends and no one could hurt her right?

"I'm fine…he just scared me a little is all."

"Don't let him scare you, he won't touch you…after all you have us." Remus said, giving a small smile and waved his hands towards James and Sirius, "As long as we're around no one will ever touch you again."

Kit nodded, but in her mind she could only wonder…the boys couldn't always protect her right? One day she might be alone and…and…she shook the thoughts out of her head, she couldn't think of such depressing things. Remus was right, nothing would happen to her.

But there was still that sinking feeling in her stomach.

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AN: First off HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday!

Secondly, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Also hope your catching the hints of Kit's father I'm giving away; we won't find out about him until 1977 though so you got a little ways to wait (but it will be worth it, and check for hints…there will be plenty).

Woo, the idea for the map is born. I had to add that in somewhere .

As a note for Lucius, no he isn't at Hogwarts right now thus why they had to meet him for the first time at the Ministry party. According to the HP Lexicon (I love that thing, get all my lil' factoids from it) Lucius was in seventh year when MWPP were in their first. Meaning that as of right now he has been out of Hogwarts for around 4-5 years giving him time to secure a position at the Ministry of Magic.

So, this is the last chapter of the Winter Holiday's for both past and present day; meaning that the next chapter we go back to Hogwarts in the future. It's going to start to get really fast paced, but I'm still going to be taking my time with the future because since the ending is going to be different then the ending in the POA book I have to alter certain things and that is going to take tons of planning.

But, still I'm going to try and get the chapters out as fast as I can so hopefully you all can bare with me.

Yet again, Happy Halloween!