A/N: Once again sorry for the delay. Sorry it is short, the next chapter should be longer because I am hoping to end Harry's third year in it.

Mysterious Hearts

Celebrations

Christmas rolled around faster than anyone thought. Nymphadora and her father boarded the plane for the states. Severus had worked out a plan to arrive there for the holidays and still do his watch at Hogwarts.

James showed his father and sister around his new home, and Tonks delighted in teasing him about settling down with a nice witch.

"Jamie," she giggled, "Severus' mother knows some delightful young Slytherins."

"Quite all right, Dora," he smirked. Tonks smacked him in the arm for the endearment. "But I fear that I am not the marrying kind."

"What in Merlin's name do you mean by that?"

"I am not one for commitment," he poked his tongue out at her when a wide grin appeared on her face.

"I'll have you committed."

"DAD!" James said, "Dora is being annoying."

"Am not," she grinned, "James is picking on me."

"Dora hit me."

"Just ignore your sister," he said in a neutral tone. It was good to have the family together.

"Fine," he pouted. "When's Severus coming?"

"He should be here tonight, after dinner."

They settled in to James' cozy two-story house. They had been decorating the house since they had arrived and tonight they were going to decorate the tree.

Severus hurried down to his chambers. Thankfully he had packed what he needed earlier that day. Dinner had gone on longer than he had anticipated. After all there were only thirteen people there it should have been a quick affair. And Professor Trelawney presence had nearly caused him to flee for his sanity. Or what he had left of it.

He grabbed his bag and flooed to London. From there he apperated as far as he could and hopped a portkey across the Atlantic. Then he appereated to his brother-in-law's house. Tonks had been waiting and dragged him into the house without a word spoken.

James and Ted both greeted the Head of Slytherin, and Nymphadora, who was barely containing her Christmas excitement, was busily unpacking the ornaments.

Ted went to the kitchen to make hot cider and hot chocolate for the children. He laughed out loud when he heard Nymphadora and James' playful banter. And Severus reaction was a classic; the glare, the sarcasm it was pure Snape. It was no wonder that he was Head of Slytherin.

He carried the tray into the room, easily imagining grandchildren. He could picture in his mind's eye, one happy family gathering for the holidays. He set the tray down in time to catch Severus' comments on Christmas Dinner at Hogwarts.

"Dinner was dreadful," Severus began, "Well it was fine, until descended from her web Sybille and joined us, unfortunately followed by Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley."

"Oh come on, Severus, it couldn't have been all that bad."

"There were only thirteen people there Nymph," he said with a shudder, "thirteen, do you know what that unlucky number does to a divination teacher, even one as poor as Sybille?"

"Even if we don't ask," Tonks said to her brother, "he will tell us."

"What Severus," Ted asked ignoring his children.

"She decided on a prophecy, and since she is rather obsessed with death. It was only natural she saw the death of either Ronald Weasley or Harry Potter in her 'inner eye'."

"Why either of them," James asked Snape with a frown. He had taken divination as a student.

"She didn't know which one sat down last."

"I see."

That evening once the tree was decorated Ted shooed them all to bed; he gave the brightly decorated tree one last glance. He headed off to bed, thanking whomever that all of his children were safe and sound under his watchful eye.

Christmas morning came fast, and they all gathered back in front of the tree. Ted insisted that they have a breakfast before opening gifts. His suggestion was met by three pouting adults. He just ordered them into the dining room and sat them down at the table.

Severus returned to Hogwarts the day following Christmas. Ted and Nymphadora returned a few later. Tonks and Snape got to spend a quiet new years celebration together, with only one untimely interruption by a rather sloshed Mundungus. It was quickly remedied when Severus shoved him through the floo. 'Dung was in for quite a surprise the next morning when he woke up to Molly Weasley's shrill voice.

After the Holidays the rest of the year flew by. Severus and Flitwick offered Hagrid moral support when he told them of the execution of the hippogriff known as Buckbeak.

Severus had dinner at the Malfoy manner. Much to Tonks' delight I assure you. She was just glad that she didn't have to go as well. If you can't avoid your family (in name only) who can you avoid?

Severus was treated to Lucius inane prattling on about Sirius Black and how on earth a Gryffindor that like ever got into the ranks of death eaters with out his knowledge. Severus bit his tongue before his quick tongue made a snappy comeback, as it would be unseemly to insult one's host now matter how deserving. One shared look with Narcissa and he wondered how Lucius has lived this long. There obviously was not a brain in that oversized head.

His return to Hogwarts was delayed because he decided to stop in London and relax after the draining night at Malfoy Manor. It placed him in a precarious position. He knew so much about both sides of the upcoming war with the dark lord, but not enough to secure him in most people's trust. He knew that Lucius trusted him implicitly, but Narcissa was the one he had to worry about. He did not know where she stood. If she served the dark lord or was truly the cunning Slytherin that she had always appeared and was playing both sides.

Tonks listened to his rambling about the night with the Malfoys with one ear and continued working on her auror work. She would take the test in a few months and wanted to pass. She had had a lot more practice than the last time and she knew that she should be able to pass.

Finally she had gotten tired of working and listen to her husband and she dragged him off to bed; he would return to Hogwarts tomorrow.

To be continued…