Holly could remember growing up and being so excited for Christmas. Waiting impatiently all night in hopes that St. Nick would come to her house and leave her presents. When the morning finally came she would leap out of bed and run to wake her parents. Christmas mornings were filled with happy memories, lots of food, and especially family. Holly had one step-brother, Evan, but he lived with his mom, and she only saw him a few times a year. He didn't have the gift for magic like she did, but he didn't judge her for it, like half of her family, he was a muggle. Her family had always tried to make it special for her, and now that she was older, she was determined to do the same for the one's she loved.
She awoke to the smell of something cooking, and she realized something. It was Christmas morning. She absentmindedly pulled on a sweater that was lying on the floor and walked into the living room.

"Merry Christmas Remus"

"Merry Christmas Holly"

"What are you doing?" she asked yawing a bit.

"Making breakfast?" he said hading her a cup of coffee.

"Oh, Remus you didn't."

"I know you were going to, but you looked so peaceful sleeping, I didn't want to wake you up. After all you got home at what, three this morning? Another long night in the field?"

"Not really. Another long night training the new Aurors." She stretched and heard her shoulder crack. "I don't see why I have to do this." She emptied her mug and leaned against the counter. "You know I think Sirius did go and talk to Crouch. I haven't been in the field in two weeks."

"I don't think he did." Remus tried to lie, but he wasn't doing a very good job. "Anyway, at least you don't come home smelling smoke, and all of your robes are intact when you come home."

"But they're awful Remus. They wouldn't know "discreet" if it dance naked in front of them. I still can't see why Kingsley can't do it."

"Right, Kingsley Shakelbolt? Somehow I don't think he has the patients for it. Come on, someone has to do it."

"Then what about Moody? He's the best we've got."

"Some how the equation Moody plus young untrained Aurors just spells trouble waiting to happen. Besides Holly, it's Christmas, cheer up!" He playfully hit her in the arm. She hit him back smiling. They had a nice breakfast together and they talked about Christmas's past. They remembered waking up with massive hangovers from the endeavors from night before, swearing they'd never do that again. Just to do it again the next year. They continued to exchanged stories until all the food was eaten, that's when the sprit of the season began to sink in.

"Would you like your present now, or when everyone else gets here?" Holly asked after they had done the dishes, with a gigantic smile.

"Would you think any less of me if I said now?"

"Hell no! Remus, your allowed to be greedy every once and awhile. Especially on Christmas." She ran/skipped over to the small Christmas tree her and Remus had put up the week before and handed him a large package. It was rapped perfectly, the paper was bright green and red, with a gold bow on top. "When did you find time to wrap everyone's gifts? Especially so nicely."

"It's called "magic" Remus. You should use it sometime."

"Ha. Ha. Very funny. I'm disappointed. You always wrap them yourself." he pretended to pout.

"I could just very well, take it back to the store you know." despite her serious tone, her face was all light up like their Christmas tree.

"No, no that's ok." He opened it up carefully. And there it laying in his lap. A beautiful tan brief case, brown with leather corners. And engraved on it was "R.J. Lupin." "This is so nice." He managed to get out. He was awe stuck.

"I thought you could use it when you start teaching again."

"Are you still on that? Look Holly it's really hard to..."

"I know Remus. We've been over this a million times. But you'll get one. You'll get several. Trust me on this one. And when the right one comes along, you'll be ready. Until then, you could hide your magazines that you don't want people to see in there."

"I don't have those."

"Remus, I've seen them. It's nothing to be ashamed about. A potions magazine is nothing to be worried about me seeing. Though I could see where you might be a little worried if Sirius got a hold of them." Remus laughed. So far, this was going to be the best Christmas he's had in four years.

Lily, James showed up around 5:30 and Sirius came around 6:00, brining a special guest with him.

"Peter!" Holly exclaimed, rushing to give him a hug. "It's so nice to see you." She had talked to him for a few minutes at the wedding, but he had only stayed at the reception of an hour, before claiming that there was an emergency at work, and he had to take care of it. "I hope you can stay the entire time." she joked. Peter looked a bit nervous. "I hope so too." he gave her an uneasy grin, but everyone was in such a good mood, no one gave it a second thought. "Merry Christmas Lovely." Sirius said kissing her cheek.

"Merry Christmas Sirius."

"Sooo, how long is everyone going to be here so I can have you all to myself."

"Geez, you don't even say "Hi" to James, or Lily, or Remus, and all ready you want to get rid of them."

"Fine." Sirius took two steps over to James, Lily and Remus said a quick "Hi", in his purely cheesy fashion then moved right back to her.

"Ok, now can we be alone?" he seemed over anxious about something. "Sirius, this is the first Christmas I've been home for in three years. Can I please, spend it with the people I love. I promise, as soon as they leave, we can spend it together. But you do remember Remus lives here right?"

"Yes. I just miss you, that's all." He kissed the top of her head. "Awww, look how cute you two are!" Lily exclaimed. Holly blushed, and in typical Sirius fashion, he leaned down and gave her a big, unexpected kiss. Everyone cheered.

"Ok so…now that everyone is here, time for presents." Remus said interjecting that Holly was grateful for, she wasn't to big on kissing Sirius like that in public.

"Pete I'm so glad your here. So? What is new with you? I want to hear all about it. James said your working non-stop at your office." Holly asked once all the presents were handed out and everyone had their fill of eggnog and wine.

"You have no idea, sometimes I get called unexpectedly into work in the dead of night." He had gained quite a bit of weight sense she had left, however, most of his mannerisms were still the same. He still fidgeted when he was in the spotlight, and still hung on every word Sirius and James said. He had a new one, he seemed to compulsively tug at the sleeve of sweater, always on the left side. Holly shook this off as nothing.

"Pete, what happened to that blonde you were seeing?" Sirius blurted out, he was definitely on the tipsy side.

"Umm…we broke up." he said to the floor.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Pete. Don't worry. I bet she was nothing, the right one will come along soon enough." Lily said yawing.

"Ok, I think it's time to get you home honey." James said lovingly. Ever sense Lily announced she was caring their child, James was annoying over-protective, and didn't fight her as much. The first time that he started doing this Lily had gone bug eyed and yelled "Who are you and what have you done with my James!".

"Alright." she didn't protest. It was amazing how big she was getting, even though she was only two months along. Everyone said their goodbyes to the Potters, and Peter soon left afterwards. Leaving Remus, Sirius and Holly lounging in the living room.

"Holly please tell me you don't have to work tomorrow." Sirius said as he watched her and Remus begin to clean up.

"I can't say that."

"What!" Both Remus and Sirius exclaimed.

"I don't know. I'm on call."

"Call? But… but…." Remus stammered.

"That's not fair! Your supposed to be out of the field!"

"I volunteered, a bunch of the Aurors have families and small kids, with everything is going on, they might not see them again…and wait a moment, how did you know I wasn't in the field Siri?" she raised an eyebrow at him. "You didn't." He didn't respond. "You did!" she couldn't believe this. "After I told you not to! It's your fault I have to train the new recruits! I can't believe you did this."

"Hold on, I didn't do anything. And screw the other people with families! What about us?" he defended.

"You know this whole "Holly needs to be taken care of" is wearing a bit thin Sirius. I think I've proved I can take care of myself."

"I know this, but even if I did talk to him, which I didn't, be reasonable Lovely. You were getting sick, injured, and who knows what else."

"Because it was my job. Sorry but we all can't have a safe job like you."

"You're were working too hard."

"You have NO IDEA HOW HARD I WORK!"

"Look I think you two have had way too much to drink, can't we just leave it at, Holly works very hard, and Sirius is sorry for going behind Holly's back and made her go to a much safer working environment and now we can all go to bed and have a nice day tomorrow and..."

"Shut up Remus!" they said together.

"I never said I was sorry." Sirius said hotly.

"He still doesn't get it! I'm going to bed. I'm sorry Remus, for yelling at you. At least you know what I'm doing is for the greater good. I hope you had a nice Christmas." she gave Remus a smile and walked to her room and slammed the door, locking it as well.

"Why dose she have to be so damn difficult!" Sirius said sulking down in the couch.

"Why do you feel the need to protect her"

"I'm not protecting her." Remus sat down next to him.

"Really? So going to her boss and saying "Holly needs to be taken out of the field." wasn't protecting her"

"I didn't go and talk to her boss." "You didn't."

"Do you really think I'd do that after she said no"

"Yes."

"I almost did. I got to the door of the Ministry, the turned around."

"What made you change your mind."

"Got called into work suddenly." Remus believed that Sirius didn't talk to her boss, but he didn't buy the excuse. Something wasn't right. But knowing Sirius, he got hungry and decided to go eat first and got side tracked. "Well anyway, Merry Christmas Remus. See you at my house for New Years"

"Wouldn't miss it."