Chapter 22:

Sam awoke in her room at Hogwarts, covered in her Slytherin blanket and clutching Leo. She smiled; glad to be out from the control of Malfoy and his goonies. She hugged Leo close and slid out of bed. She noticed she was wearing a red flannel nightgown and white anklets. It seemed a little hot for the middle of September, didn't it? She walked out of the room and was quite surprised to find the parlors decorated for Christmas. She walked a little more out, pushing black hair out of her face, and saw snow through one of the few windows in the dungeons.

"Sammy!" Madi's cry came and Sam soon found herself in a Madison Snape Death Hug. "I miss'd you sooo much!" Sam was now very confused. One minute she's falling asleep in Lestrange's house during September next to her little sister, the next, she's awoken in the Snape parlors during December with her little sister telling her she's missed her. Samantha Kristin Snape was baffled beyond belief, and she didn't like the feeling.

"Uh, thanks, Madi. I missed you, too," Sam said. "Where are Mommy and Daddy?"

"In da kitchen," Madi replied. Sam nodded and walked towards the kitchen, passing her brother's playpen. She peeked in and saw Garret playing. He no longer looked like a little newborn, but like a five month old baby. He looked up at her, blinked, and went back to his work. If Sam could get more confused, she would've. She walked into the kitchen to see her parents working on something or other. She climbed onto her father's lap and hugged him around his neck.

"Hey, little girl," he said, kissing her forehead. "Enjoy your nap?" Sam nodded as she hugged her mother. "How do you feel?" Severus asked his daughter.

"Confused."

"Oh? Why?"

"What happened?" Sam asked. She didn't like the concerned look exchanged between her parents and leaned back further into her father's embrace.

"Well, honey, what do you remember?" he asked, gently.

"I remember falling asleep in Lestrange's house, next to Madi," Sam said. "Then I remember being lifted out of bed by Mr. Malfoy, but Madi wasn't in the bed. I tried to get someone to find her, but no one would listen to me with all the chaos. Then I remember falling asleep and the next thing I know, I'm back here with you. But it appears to be December, not September."

"It is December, darling," Kiki said, now brushing her daughter's tangled hair. "You…you were kidnapped again by Lucius and taken to New York."

"Why don't I remember it?"

"There was a highly complex, highly dark charm placed on you to make you forget you were ever Samantha Snape," Severus explained, full attention from his daughter his. "You thought you were Serena Malon and Lucius and Narcissa were your parents."

"Eww." This caused her parents to laugh. Severus cleared his throat and continued.

"We rescued you last night. And believe me, you put up one hell of a fight when we tried to separate you. Anyway, Aunt Dora, Uncle Ace and your mother undid the charm but it must've erased your memories of that time as well," he finished. Sam nodded and hugged her father again. She couldn't imagine being separated from him for all those months and thinking someone else was her daddy. Severus hugged her back.

A flash went off behind them and they turned to find Kiki standing there with a camera. "I'm sorry, but it was a Kodak moment!" she said, laughing. "It was just so cute!" She seemed ready to cry but let out a squeal, causing Severus to cover his ears.

"What-have-I-said-about-squealing-woman?"

"WHAT?"

"You heard me."

"Oh, you so didn't just say that?"

"Perhaps I did!" By now her parents were standing, inches apart from each other. Sam sat on her father's abandoned chair, giggling like mad. Madi watched from the kitchen door as their father grabbed their mother. With no warning, he crashed his lips down on hers and she melted in his arms. Madi covered her eyes while Sam sighed, before wondering how long her parents could go without air. She contemplated timing them, but the plan was cut when her parents finally broke their kiss.

"Well," Kiki said, rubbing her swollen lips. Severus just smirked as he went to pick up Madi. She smiled and gave her father a rather loud, wet kiss on the cheek. "I think we need to get you all ready for the Christmas party."

"Christmas party?" Sam asked. "Exactly how far is it in December?"

"It's Ch'istmas Eve, silly!" Madi called as her father carried her into her room to change.

Kiki picked up her son, who cooed. "Your dress is laid out in your room. When you're done, I'll do your hair," she told her oldest. "We're going to Uncle Sirius and Aunt Bianca's and spending Christmas day at home, Snape Manor. Your grandmother, uncle, aunt and cousins are all coming. Everyone's excited to see you back, my little Sam." With that, Kiki bent down and hugged her little daughter tight. "Oh, I missed you so much, Samantha. It's so good to have you back." With a kiss to Sam's forehead, Kiki and Garret disappeared.

"I don't know. All Albus said was that Ace came back and that he crashed on his in-laws' couch the rest of the afternoon!" Harmony said, attempting to get Jamie to stand still long enough to French braid her hair. Remus was behind her, straightening out Rawlins' outfit as Lily entertained Alida on her parent's bed. The girls were wearing beautiful red velvet dresses and black shoes while Rawlins wore a red shirt and black pants. Harmony secured her daughter's blonde hair with a large red ribbon bow similar to Lily's and showed everyone out.

"It is possible that they don't have Sam," Remus said, holding Alida now. She babbled happily in her father's arms. He was tired from the previous full moon and from their anticipating the fulfillment of their friends' Christmas wish. "It would be awful, but it is possible."

"Yes, Remus, it is possible. But not at all probable. I highly doubt Ace is going to come home, mission failed. They seemed determined to stay there until Sam was found and brought home."

"But it might not have been her. Ron, Hermione and Susan could've messed up and, in our desire for it to be Sam, everyone just thought it was. We could've scarred an innocent young girl for life!"

Harmony hugged her husband and kissed him. "Remus John Lupin, have I ever told you you worry too much?" she asked, teasingly.

"Yes, Harmony Elizabeth Lupin, you have," he teased back. "But I believe you agreed to marry me—worry, fur and all—and I agreed to marry you—messiness, obsessiveness and all." He leaned down and kissed her back as a little shout echoed through the house:

"Mom! Dad! Are we going yet?"

Bianca was zooming around the house, humming "We Need a Little Christmas" from some musical or another. Sirius wasn't going to figure it out since he learned to stay low when Bianca was in these moods. He took the children and hid on the floors above his parlor. Arden was on his hip as she played with his tie. She was wearing a red satin dress and her curls were pushed back by a red headband. Giachi and James were playing nearby, dressed in suits that looked like Rawlins'. "Sam come back," Arden lisped out in her baby voice.

"What?"

"Sam come back," Arden repeated. "Ch'istmas."

Sirius smiled and kissed his daughter's nose. "Yes, Sam's coming back for Christmas." Somehow, knowing his daughter was a possible true Seer and the fact she said the statement with such certainty, he knew it was true. Sam Snape would be there for Christmas. Bianca knocked on the door after tracking down her family. "Are we ready?"

"Yes, dear, we're ready," Bianca replied, picking up James. "Oof, you are getting heavy, James Black. I saw the lights go out in the Lupin residence except for the Christmas lights, so I think it is safe to say they are on their way." At that, they heard a loud commotion downstairs and shared a laugh.

Giachi ran down the stairs and launched himself at Rawlins. Alida was already in a playpen, soon joined by Arden, while the twins danced around their godfather. Bianca and Harmony were soon chatting as they closed the door.

The doorbell rang and Bianca ran to answer the door. Standing on the other side was a pile of presents with feet. "Umm, hello?" she asked. The pile shifted slightly and Neville's face peeked out from behind the wrapped gifts. "Oy, Neville, come in before you hurt yourself! Sirius, help him." Sirius darted forward to grab some presents and the two made it to the tree. Once relieved of his burden, Neville allowed Harmony to take his coat and he plopped down on the couch.

Meanwhile, Giachi was counting the presents Neville carried in. "Hey, where are the rest?" he asked. "There are too few."

"Giacomo Patrick Black, what did we discuss about the true meaning of Christmas?"

"But I think your presents are missing."

"Wait, our presents? Alright, Longbottom, fess up!" Sirius turned to Neville, who was smiling slightly.

"Luna has the rest," he explained as the doorbell rang again. "We had to apparate separately." Bianca opened the door and Luna calmly walked, depositing her gifts under the tree. Harmony hugged her former student and asked where her son was.

"He's right here," a feminine voice whispered. An older couple entered with the sleeping baby. They had white hair, thin bodies and big smiles. After all, Alice and Frank Longbottom were celebrating their first Christmas coherent in a long time. Bianca motioned to a playpen the proud grandparents could put their presents in before the hugging commenced.

With all the commotion about Sam/Serena and New York, the discovery of the cure for the Cruciatus Curse went by relatively quiet. Neville led the team to test the cure, prove it and then let healers administer it to his parents. An hour later, Frank and Alice were demanding to see their son. The healers were trying to explain everything, but reluctantly let Neville in. The Longbottoms were quite disturbed and upset to see their son a grown man, but Alice attached herself to Neville and was not letting go, especially once her mother-in-law came in and proudly boasted Neville's war hero status. Once the couple was discharged, Alice and Frank met Luna and little Frank. They cooed over their grandson and were well on their way to spoiling the baby rotten. The two had yet to see Kiki yet and no one really explained her life situation to the couple either. Let them be surprised.

"It is so good to be celebrating Christmas again," Alice said, helping Bianca bring up some hot chocolate.

Frank chuckled. "And all we want for Christmas is our hair color back," he said, elbowing Remus and winking. The other man chuckled as he reached for the door. Standing there was Ginny, holding Molly and poised to knock.

"What?"

"Saw you coming up the path," Remus explained. "Where's Harry?"

"Behind with the presents," Ginny explained. She placed Molly down with Arden and Alida while shrugging off her coat. "My parents just flooed to tell me they are coming in with Ron and Hermione," she explained.

"Hey, can I get a little help with the presents?" Harry said, walking into the house. He seemed to be holding as many presents as the Longbottoms. Sirius walked forward and helped his godson. "Thanks. Man, we gotta stop adding to our group. No offense, Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom."

"None taken, Harry," Alice said. "And you can call us Alice and Frank. It's what James and Lily would've wanted, I know." Harry nodded and allowed himself to be hugged.

"Merry Christmas!" Ron bellowed as he burst open the door. He wore a red Santa hat and held Susan, who was wearing reindeer antlers. He walked in and placed Susan down near James, who smiled at her antlers. Hermione bustled in behind her family, ready to yell at her husband. Everyone tensed up as they knew the storm was ready to blow.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley," she started. All the men flinched at the use of his middle's name. Remus and Sirius never experienced that phenomenon—their wives merely used the only piece of white plastic illegal in all 50 American states (how, they didn't want to know)—the Spatula of Death. Hermione stormed over to her husband, who was starting to look properly bashful. "When will you learn to have manners? If it weren't Christmas, I would hurt you. But you are spared. For now."

Ron breathed a sigh of relief as Lily tugged on Hermione's skirt. "Aunt Mione, I don't want to sound selfish," she said, very politically. "But I think you might've forgotten everyone's presents."

Hermione's mouth formed an "o" and she giggled slightly. "In my anger at Ron, I must've forgotten!" She pulled out a small bag and emptied its contents under the tree, next to the Longbottoms'. With a flick of her wand, the presents enlarged. She could hear the sound of hands smacking foreheads and realized her friends had forgotten that very useful charm. "Molly and Arthur are coming in a bit. Charlie popped his head in the fireplace to wish his parents a Merry Christmas," Hermione explained. "And can I sit? My back is already killing me." Harmony pushed a chair underneath her colleague and Hermione sunk into it.

A half hour later, the Michaelsons arrived with the older Weasleys. Maxim was placed down near the other toddlers. He shied away, closer to Alice. He looked up and backed away. "He's terribly shy," Eden explained. "I'm sorry." Alice and Frank nodded; they had already met Eden and were quite shocked to find out that both Dumbledore and McGonagall were her parents. And married. With another son. But both were happy for their former mentors. Molly was soon bustling about the house, trying to make sure everything was perfect. She ignored Bianca's assurances that it was and nearly drove the hostess up her own wall.

"Molly, leave Mrs. Black alone. I'm sure everything is perfectly fine," Albus said, escorting his wife in. Riley and Tonks were behind them. Riley wore an elf hat while Tonks' hair was a festive red with holly leaves strewn through it. They were both levitating the gifts into the back door as McGonagall hugged everyone. "Well, is everyone here?" Albus asked, ready to give a speech.

"Not the guest of honor," Sirius said. "We're missing the entire family."

"Indeed. They were getting ready and almost about to leave when we left Hogwarts. I'm sure they will be here shortly," Albus said as something green streaked past him.

The green streak came to a stop in front of the Lupin twins. It was revealed to be Samantha Snape in a green taffeta dress, black stockings and shoes. Her raven hair was done in curls and she was smiling as she shrugged off her black coat. "Hi ya!" she said, bobbing up and down. "Miss me?"

"YES!" Lily and Jamie screamed, launching themselves at their best friend. "We missed you! You're the brains behind our troublemaking!" Sam laughed as Madi toddled over to Maxim. She was dressed in an identical dress as her sister's. She pulled his hand and brought him over to Susan and James. Kiki walked in and placed Garret down in the playpen with Molly and Frank.

"Kiki? Kiki Wright?" Alice asked, walking forward. "How are you? Who is this little cutie?"

Kiki jumped back ten feet and into Riley. "Al—Alice? You're cured? What about Frank?"

"I'm right here," Frank said, throwing an arm around his wife. "Our son found the cure and we're fine. What about you? What've you been doing? Is this your son?"

"Yes, and those are my daughters. Samantha, Madison and Garret," Kiki said.

"And who is the father? We expected you to be the one married to Sirius. We remembered how much you pined for him," Alice said.

Kiki giggled. "We dated for a few months and realized we were totally wrong for each other. Better as friends. I married, uh, I married…"

"Me?" Severus asked, walking forward and pulling her into his arms. Alice's and Frank's jaws dropped in shock. "What? Never thought it? It is good to see you two back and that your son didn't botch up this time."

"Hey!"

"Severus be nice to Neville…once," Kiki pleaded. Severus nodded towards the boy and stalked off. Kiki sighed and hugged Alice before rushing to join Harmony.

Everyone swamped Samantha, looking for hugs and checking to make sure the little girl was unharmed. They had trouble believing that the Malfoys didn't hurt her, but were relieved to find it was the truth. She giggled as she ran around the room with her friends.

"It is so good to be able to smile without reservation and worry," Kiki told her husband, hopping onto his lap. Severus kissed her neck and handed her a cup of eggnog. "Oh sure, now you're trying to get me drunk."

"No, I'm not. That happens to be an untainted cup," Severus explained. "I want you perfectly sober tonight."

"It's Christmas! Santa's watching," Kiki teased. Harmony and Remus slipped into the seat next to their friends and had caught the tail end of their conversation.

"Santa is watching what?" Remus asked, leaning back with an arm around his own wife. Sirius and Bianca soon joined them, waiting for the Snapes' response.

Kiki giggled and took a sip of her eggnog. "Watching us. In bed. How's that?" she asked, sweetly. Sirius made a gagging noise as his wife jabbed him in the ribs. Harmony was trying to hold in her laughter but was starting to lose her grasp. Her husband was looking disappointed.

"Well, there go our plans for the night then. I don't want to worry about Santa watching me."

"I wouldn't dream of it. Oh the nightmares that could cause!" Santa said, walking in. He winked a green eye as he let the children crowd around him. The Lupins and the Snapes burst into laughter as Sirius turned to whisper something in his wife's ear. She blushed slightly and smiled widely.

"Sirius Black, you are impossible, as always," she said, kissing him.

"Ho, ho, ho, have you been a good little girl this year?" Santa asked Madison. Madi nodded as he handed her a candy cane. "I don't know if I should give this to you, Giacomo. Wrestling with your Uncle Harry and all." Giachi placed his hands on his hips, quite annoyed, but Santa gave him a candy cane anyway.

"Santa, he's supposed to get coal," Jamie said. "He was bad."

"So were you! You came up with all the plans to annoy Lucius in the mansion!" Giachi tossed back.

"And I twisted your arm to go along with it? Someone was very willing to go—oomph." Santa stuck a candy cane in Jamie's mouth to stop the fighting. Lily shook her head but accepted her candy cane as well.

The adults chuckled as the older kids climbed all over Santa as he handed out treats. "Oy, don't you think you're sending out conflicting messages, Santa?" Ron asked.

"Yeah," Hermione chimed in. "They're laying out their wrongs and you're stuffing candy into their mouths instead of coal into their hands."

"Mama!" Susan said, walking over with her prize. Ron picked up his daughter and ran a hand through her brown curls. Her parents laughed and sat back. Santa finished his rounds with little gifts for the babies who couldn't eat the candy.

He stood up and straightened out his suit. He smiled at Dumbledore and said, "I think it is time for the Christmas speech, dinner and then presents!" Everyone cheered as Albus nodded. Santa disappeared but Harry soon re-entered.

Bianca and Molly helped usher everyone to the magically enlarged table (courtesy of Hermione) which was groaning under the amount of food made. Children were seated at their own table while the babies sat in highchairs near their mothers. Everyone took a seat as wine or ginger ale was poured in preparation for the Christmas speech. Minerva tapped her glass with her fork, just like in the Great Hall. Dumbledore stood up and smiled.

"My dear friends, six years ago we started this tradition of coming to someone's house every Christmas and celebrating together. Our bond was forged on the battlefields against the Dark Lord and cannot be broken. We see each other on a regular basis, but tonight is the one night we all gather together as what we really are. A family. A rather strange family, I'll admit, but a family nonetheless.

"Our family has had its trials, mainly during these past few months. However, we stayed positive and worked together to bring back the children home. And we welcome back Samantha from her separation that took her to New York. To Harmony and Remus, who had Lily, Jamie and Rawlins returned. To Bianca and Sirius, who rescued their sons. And to Severus and Kiki, who had Madi but was forced to wait for Samantha. Your patience paid off. And to those who helped them, we raise a glass.

"To a joyous end to a rough year—Merry Christmas! Now, let's eat!" With a large cheer and clinking glasses, the feasting began.

Later that night, parents carried tired children out of the Black house. Riley carried his sleeping fiancée as he thanked her cousin and his wife. "We'll see you both tomorrow night?" Minerva asked her son.

"Yeah," he replied. "We're celebrating in the morning with Andie and Ted and eating lunch with them. We'll be there for dinner. Ace, you and Eden coming with Maxim?"

Eden smiled and nodded while her husband adjusted their son in his arms. "Merry Christmas," she said.

Severus and Kiki tucked Samantha in, placing Leo next to her. After a little thought, her father also placed her reindeer in bed with her. Kiki smiled and held out her hand. He took it and scooped her up. "Well, we have a joyous Christmas," he told her. "One new child celebrating his first Christmas and another one returned to us in time for this day."

"Well, this truly a Christmas to remember," she said, snuggling closer to her husband. They collapsed on to the bed, Kiki on top of Severus. She curled up on his chest, smiling. "Everything is perfect."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Me, you, Sam, Madi, and Garret all together. And happy. Could we get any happier?"

"Would you like to try?" Severus asked, turning over. He pinned her to the bed and smiled seductively. She smiled back and was about to extinguish the candles when his wife placed her hand on his chest. "What?"

"There is still something bothering me," she said, arms now around his neck. "About the kidnapping."

"Well, we can always ask Lucius after Christmas," he said, kissing her neck.

"I don't think he's going to tell us anymore than we already know. But, why did he pick Sam to kidnap?"

"I don't know. I think it may always be a mystery. Now, can we continue?" Severus asked, finally plunging the room into darkness.

Remus and Harmony were sound asleep, his arm around her waist. The door opened a smidge and then closed again. Remus could hear the sounds of feet creeping along his side of the bed. "What?" he asked sleepily, not bothering to turn over. The sounds of sniffles met his ears, causing him to relinguish his hold on his wife. He opened his eyes to see Lily wiping hers from the unshed tears. "What, sweetie?" he asked, gentler this time.

"I had a nightmare," she said. "I dreamt that Mr. Malfoy came for me this time and took me away from you again. He made me think I was his daughter, just like he did to Sam."

By this point, she was sitting on her father's lap. His tee-shirt was getting wet from her tears as he reached for their tissue box. "Here, blow your nose," he said softly. "And don't worry. Everything will be fine. Lucius is in Azkaban and won't be taking you from us." He picked Lily up.

"But how do you know? We didn't know he would take Sam." Lily yawned and placed her head on his shoulder as he kissed her forehead. They reached her room and he laid her down on the bed, tucking her back in. He looked over the mound to check on Jamie, who was sound asleep in her bed. Remus leaned down and smoothed his daughter's blonde hair down.

"Father's intuition," he replied. "Good night, baby girl."

"Night, Daddy."

Remus walked back into his room to find his wife waiting for him. "Is she okay?" Harmony asked as he climbed back into bed.

"She's fine. It was just a bad dream. I was able to calm her down."

"Her question made me wonder."

"Wonder what? How safe Azkaban is? I'm sure Lucius isn't going to see daylight for a long time, dear."

"I know," Harmony said. "But, why did he pick Sam? Why not Lily or Jamie? Or any of the boys?"

"We may never know. We may never know," he said, kissing her shoulder.

The last of the wrapping paper was finally done away with and the new batch of presents was sent down to be ready for the morning. Bianca slipped out of her nice dress and robes into her more comfortable muggle pajamas. Sirius was checking on the children, making sure they were alright. He walked into the room and grabbed his wife, twirling around. "Hey, I know you're tired, but do you care for a little spill into one of our hot tubs?"

"The only thing I want to take a spill into is our bed," Bianca replied, yawning and stretching her neck. Sirius kissed it and pulled back.

"You're tense. I think you need a massage."

"And you're going to give it to me?"

"Yes."

"Now?"

"Of course," Sirius said, pulling her to sit on the edge of the bed. He sat behind her and began to gently massage her. "Merry Early Christmas."

"Oh, that feels good. This is one perfect gift," Bianca moaned, relaxing. Silence ruled for a while as Bianca enjoyed her husband's magic hands but something came to her mind, something that had been plaguing her for a while. "Sirius? Why do you think Lucius took Sam? Out of the seven children, why her?"

Sirius was quiet for a few minutes, wondering over his answer. "I think the reason will be one Lucius will take to his grave, amongst other things." He finished his massage and moved under the covers. He patted her spot and she obliged. Once they were comfortable, Sirius spoke again. "Don't worry. He's fine and not as clever as me. He won't escape."

"I know, I know," she said, already falling asleep. He smiled and kissed her forehead. He drifted off to Elysium, still smiling.

The new guards of Azkaban patrolled the halls of the quiet prison. Dementors still floated around, but not in large numbers. Different goblins agreed to also stand duty, especially those that didn't want to work at Gringotts. It was always quiet at night, since most prisoners went to sleep. Occasional screams disturbed the night, but from the prisoners who were placed under the care of the dementors. They were on the bottom levels of the prison, away from the other prisoners.

By some stroke of luck, Lucius managed to escape the fate many of his other Death Eaters. Perhaps the fact he never hurt Sam helped, who knew. Narcissa was down a little, a place she didn't deserve. He sat in his cell, just holding his head in his hands. The next day was Christmas and he wanted to go back to New York. He wanted Serena to wake him and Narcissa up by jumping on the bed, screaming that it was Christmas and time to open presents. But now she was once again Samantha Snape and would be doing that to Severus and Kiki. Narcissa wasn't next to him and Draco hated both of them—him more so. His life had just come crashing down.

One of the goblins banged his cane on the cell bars. Lucius jumped and the goblin looked him over. "Just checking," was all the creature said before moving on. Lucius knew there was a smirk on that goblin's face.

"Just checking," he scoffed. "Just trying to scare the Death Eater turned kidnapper." He leaned back and cracked his neck. He was at the bottom, but nothing kept Lucius Malfoy down for long. He would climb his way back to the top, they would all see. He pulled out the one thing the goblins and Aurors could not take from him, a picture. A muggle one of Luke, Nora and Serena in front of the Lincoln Center tree. He smiled and held it close. He would be at the top again, he swore it.

A/N: The End. It's sad, isn't it? This is why this chapter is one of the longest yet. It's the wrap-up chapter, which was supposed to be in time for Christmas. However, my recording drive doesn't work so I could load this to transfer it to a computer with internet access. I hope everyone had a good holidays. I'm back in school and should be starting on the Sam story soon. I should also be updating "Phantom of the Dungeons," adding a "Rent" one-shot, and a chapter story in American Girl. So watch out! Just because I took a break from posting doesn't mean I took a break from writing! –Mac