FIRST OFF, I JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW SORRY I AM THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN UPDATING THIS STORY! It's been over a year since I last updated this story and I'M SO FUCKING SORRY! I've been so bloody busy with life and Covid going on doesn't exactly help matters. However, I'll try my hardest to keep on track with this story. It's not over, that's a promise!
Now, this chapter is particularly long to make up for the lost time :) seriously over 20k words!
I'm so happy and proud of how this chapter turned out if I'm being honest, this chapter is just full of wholesome shit and it's perfect for the holidays coming up soon. So, get cozy, relax and enjoy Chapter 8!
Loves,
T. T. Zoldy
Chapter 8
Family Doesn't Mean Blood
December 3rd, 1993
Hufflepuff Common Room - Fifth Year Girls Dormitories
"C'mon, Hopper!" Weaver exclaimed excitedly, pulling along the blackberry haired witch from the dormitories by her wrist. "You said last week that you'd prank with me!" The ebony-haired witch whined loudly as she pulled Anna along.
"I know, Pads, but I have things to do. Now that my bruises are gone, I don't need to hide my face as much." Anna replied with a huff as she tried to get Weaver to ease up on the tight grip she had on her wrist, but to no avail.
"You were still beautiful, even with the bruises, Hopper," Weaver said sincerely with a toothy grin as she continued to pull the witch along.
They left the Common Room with Anna being pulled by the wrist, struggling to get out of her bonded sister's grasp, the lingering students staring at the scene with mixed expressions of laughter and shock.
"Fine, I'll come. Quit pulling me, Pads, I can walk for myself, but if I get detention, I'm taking you down with me. I'm a bloody Prefect, for Merlin's sake." Anna said with a wide grin as the ebony-haired witch finally let go of her wrist with a barking laugh, holding her hands up in surrender and a curt nod. "Besides, I didn't feel too beautiful with those bloody bruises," she added under her breath.
She was bloody glad that the bruises had finally healed. She could barely stand to look at herself in a normal mirror, let alone speak to Vixen in her mind or in one of her Mirror Charms.
Weaver let out another barking laugh, clapping her hands together cheerfully. "Now, who does our lovely little Prefect want to prank today? It's your turn to pick, Hopper." The ebony-haired witch said excitedly as she adjusted the Quidditch goggles on top of her head, her green eyes flashing happily as they walked through the corridors of the castle until they reached the Entrance Hall.
Anna thought about it for a moment, honestly, she had no clue who to choose to set their pranks upon. She hadn't had much time to put some thought into it before she noticed a group of Slytherins pass by, Valeria was among them and the witch waved cheerfully to Anna, who grinned and returned it sweetly.
Ocean eyes lit up, they had pranked every single House, save for one, and who better from that House than the best pranksters—asides from the Lot—themselves.
"How about the Weasley Twins?" Anna asked slyly with a wicked smile, her eyes flashing violet joyfully and Weaver's green eyes lit up.
"We still haven't pranked the Gryffindors yet! Hopper! You're a bloody genius!" Weaver exclaimed in excitement, gripping the other witches face, emerald eyes sparkling. Anna grinned at her ebony-haired friend. "What should we do?" Weaver asked after a moment, her eyes alight with joy as she removed her hands from the witch's face.
Anna thought about it for a moment before she sighed, coming up empty. "I'm not certain, but it needs to be bloody brilliant when it comes to the Weasley Twins, or at the very least, very much worth the entertainment."
"What are you two misfits up to now?" A voice asked sternly from behind the pair of witches and Weaver tensed up from beside her, looking like a first-year caught out of bed after dark and like she wanted to make a run for it, but Anna grinned.
She knew that voice all too well.
"You may be able to fool Weaver with that stern, Professor-like, tone of yours, but you'd never be able to fool me..." Anna turned on her heel and smirked, placing a hand on her hip smugly. "Moony."
"You scared the fucking shit out of me, James!" Weaver exclaimed in exasperation, throwing her arms up dramatically.
The werewolf let out a loud laugh and grinned at the ebony-haired witch. "You're easy to scare when you're causing mischief, Pads."
Weaver puffed out her cheeks indignantly, crossed her arms over her chest and grumbled out, "I am not." under her breath that still made it very much heard from the pair of lupines.
Anna laughed loudly and threw an arm around her best friend. "Oh, yes, you are, Pads. Don't deny it!" She sang with a wide grin, her blue eyes flashing violet as Vixen agreed with a snort in her mind. Anna turned her attention to James with a wide grin. "Would you like to help us prank the Weasley Twins, Mister Moony?"
James simply beamed, his eyes flashing gold with mischief before he bowed low, a smug grin gracing his lips. "I'd be honoured to assist the pair of you in your escapades, Miss Hopper."
Anna and Weaver grinned widely at the wizard before the three made their way to the Seventh Floor, close to the Gryffindor Common Room.
However, they did not find the Weasley Twins there.
They did, however, find the twins ducked in a hidden alcove near the Room of Requirement, Anna grinned at the sight of the Weasley Twins talking in hushed whispers and looking over a large map, The Marauders Map; if Anna remembered correctly.
Weaver reached into her robes and pulled out three boxes of Dungbombs, Anna stared at her incredulously, her eyes silently screaming at the witch with a look that said 'where in Merlin's name did you get those?!'.
The witch in question simply shrugged with a wide grin and handed one to each of them, keeping one for herself before the three tossed them into the alcove where the Twins were hiding and Anna quickly threw up her Slytherin Common Room worthy Protection Charm with the quick flick of her wand, James chipping in by adding a powerful Scent Reducing Charm that he had only mastered the week prior and, by the looks on the Weasley Twins faces; the added charm was highly appropriate for their escapades.
"What the hell?!" George exclaimed loudly when the Dungbombs finally started doing their magic.
"Shut up, Georgie! Do you want us to get bloody caught?!" Fred hissed as he tucked the Map away in the pocket of his Gryffindor robes.
"'Course not, Freddie, but Merlin, do you smell that?" George asked, using the blazer of his uniform to block out the stench.
Fred took a long whiff of the air that had Anna and Weaver stifling rather loud snorts of laughter before the wizard promptly gagged. "Oh Merlin, Georgie, did you let one rip?" Fred said with a laugh as he used his fingers to cover his nose.
"Fuck off, Freddie, I bloody did not!"
The Protection Charms had faded now as the trio were too busy laughing their arses off to keep them up and the Weasley Twins locked onto the trio of laughing Hufflepuffs.
"Cloud!" George shouted.
"Sprout!" Fred echoed his brother's volume.
"Summers!" They shouted simultaneously and the trio immediately stopped laughing, freezing in place to stare at the Weasley Twins in horror before the trio bolted down the corridors as quickly as they could: away from the angry duo of redheads.
"What is all this racket?!" Another voice shouted and suddenly, all five of them were running together through the corridors at the sound of Filch's voice as fast as their legs would carry them.
All of them, laughing loudly when Weaver managed to dodge Mrs Norris swiping at her feet to trip her, the ebony-haired witch let out a loud, "HA!" of triumph over her shoulder at the feline as they all continued running.
They all quickly ducked around a corner and into a hidden alcove, Anna threw up her Slytherin Common Room-worthy Notice-Me-Not mixed with a Muggle Repelling Charm as Mrs Norris ran passed their hiding place before Filch ran by and the group quickly dashed off again in the opposite direction.
"Jamie!" Anna hissed as her boyfriend began to fall behind and she quickly turned, gripping his wrist and begun pulling him along. "Keep up or we're all bloody done for!"
"I'm trying, Hopper!" He snapped back before he let out a snort of laughter when George tripped over an uneven part of the stone floor with a yelp and Weaver quickly helped the Weasley to his feet with a giggle.
"You're gonna bloody—" George began when they finally managed to reach the Entrance Hall.
"—pay for that." Fred finished as the five slowed to a stop.
Anna giggled. "You should've seen your bloody faces!" She said as she let out a loud laugh.
Weaver was practically rolling on the ground, tears of mirth pouring from her eyes while James propped himself up on a nearby pillar to hold him as he clutched his side, wheezing with laughter.
The bell rang and suddenly, James, Weaver and Anna straightened at the sound before the trio of Hufflepuffs gasped.
They should've been in Herbology by now.
"Shit!" Weaver nearly shouted, nearly knocking back the Quidditch goggles on her head when she gripped her hair before she quickly grabbed Anna's wrist again. "Mum's gonna kill us if we're late for Herbology!"
Fred snorted a laugh. "You already are, Weaver."
The ebony-haired witch turned quickly to give the redhead a pinched look that warned him not to push his luck and he snorted, holding his hands up in surrender.
"Why are you lot out of class?! The bell already rang!" A voice boomed, and everyone paled again. It was Filch, who had finally managed to catch up with the mischievous teenagers.
"Run for it!" Anna exclaimed at the same time that George shouted, "Scatter!", and everyone took off to their own destination just as Filch entered the Entrance Hall.
Anna quickly made sure James and Weaver were hot on her heels as she briefly caught sight of the Weasley Twins vanishing up the marble staircases towards the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Dormitories.
None of them needed to be told twice when Filch was involved, Merlin, they'd all get detention if Filch got his hands on any of them.
Heavy footfalls were heard all around them as they ran around the outside of the castle, there was a soft sheet of snow that crunched beneath their boots. Her winter cloak blew behind her as she looked back with a smirk gracing her lips; she could still hear Filch's angered shouts from the Entrance Hall where they had all left him bewildered and unsure of who to follow to dish out detentions.
"Hurry up, you two! We're bloody goners if Filch catches us!" Anna exclaimed with a laugh at the head of the trio as the three quickly ran around the outside of the castle towards the Greenhouses.
Weaver and James were struggling to keep up with the witch and Weaver yelped when she slipped in the snow, James helping the ebony-haired witch find her footing.
James looked out of breath, which was blowing out of his mouth in soft white clouds in the freezing weather. Although, Anna always thought that the soft snowy background always brought out the grassy colour of his eyes, especially when they sparkling as happily as they were now.
Weaver let out a loud barking laugh as she adjusted the Quidditch goggles on her head. "Not all of us are as fast as you are when it comes to causing mischief, Hopper! Merlin, did you see their bloody faces?!" She exclaimed with an ear-splitting grin and a loud barking laugh to go with it, her green eyes sparkling in pure joy.
Anna laughed loudly, and James was quick to join in.
"Fucking priceless, Pads!" His green eyes fell back on Anna with a snort. "Besides, we're not as young as we used to be, Anna." He added, the laughter from earlier had already made the pair slower than usual, not to mention, this close to the full moon, James was already slower than he normally was.
"Speak for yourself, Moony," Anna replied cheekily as she smirked at the pair from over her shoulder.
"Merlin, I still can't get over their bloody faces!" Weaver exclaimed with another barking laugh, scrunching up her face to mock the Weasley Twins.
Anna laughed loudly. "Their bloody faces were priceless, Pads!" She exclaimed happily with a loud laugh of triumph at the successful prank on the Weasley Twins. "Say, Pads, where in Merlin's name did you get Dungbombs that bloody potent?"
"Some secrets I will never spill!" Weaver exclaimed with a triumphant laugh as she threw her arms up dramatically with an ear-splitting grin, sprinting past Anna with a mischievous glint in her emerald eyes. "Hurry up, Moons! Mum's gonna kill us if we're late for Herbology!" She exclaimed from over her shoulder.
"Speak for yourself, Pads!" The werewolf said with a loud laugh. "Besides, I have ways to make you spill those bloody secrets, Weaver!" James exclaimed in determination, his green eyes flashing gold.
"Not unless you fucking catch me first, James!" Weaver exclaimed with a loud barking laugh as she spun on her heel when it began snowing around them, trying to catch a snowflake or two on her tongue.
"Get back here, you little shit!" James exclaimed as he sprinted passed Anna with newly restored energy and determination, straight for the ebony-haired with who shrieked in laughter and dashed away from the wizard, both of them trying to keep their balance in the freshly fallen snow as the werewolf tried to get a grip on the witches waist. "I have ways to make you spill your bloody secret!" James exclaimed with a laugh as he spun on his heel to catch the witch, who laughed loudly, adjusting her Quidditch goggles and dashed away again towards the Greenhouses.
"Wait for me!" Anna exclaimed with a loud laugh as she sprinted to catch up with the pair, blackberry curls blowing behind her merrily. "I need that bloody secret too, ya know!"
From the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Padfoot sat in the shadows, watching the trio run after one another in the snow on their way to Herbology, having been using his advanced hearing to properly hear their conversation, not that he had particularly needed it with how loud the trio was speaking in giddy excitement. Anna caught a glimpse of the large black dog and she grinned brightly at him, it was the only way that Sirius could show himself in public without drawing suspicion or being caught.
She waved at him cheerfully and he grinned at her, rolling over with a playful yip that made her giggle before she continued on after her friends.
Sirius was glad to see that she had fully healed and that she was back to her usual, cheerful self. After all, he had been very worried about her but was happy to see that she was back to her old self.
The sight of Weaver and James, however, made him tilt his head in confusion. He knew that Anna was dating someone, another werewolf by the smell of her whenever she came to visit him in his cave and he briefly caught the scent in the chilly air when the trio ran past. It was coming from the wizard.
Padfoot closed his eyes and briefly remembered something that Vixen had said long ago.
"Weaver! James! Wait up!" Anna called and Padfoot's eyes flew open at the names that rolled off her tongue, heart filling with dread.
"Hurry up, Hopper!" The girl exclaimed frantically. "Mum's gonna kill me if we're late for Herbology, again!" The ebony-haired witch added with a barking laugh and joy in her emerald gaze, her braided ebony hair blowing behind her as she ran ahead, a pair of Quidditch goggles askew on her head.
This little witch, Sirius realised was the witch that Vixen had mentioned all those years ago. Weaver Sprout.
Sirius looked to the wizard; James, James Summers, he guessed and his heart broke for her.
Anna had no idea . . .
She was absolutely clueless to what he knew . . .
Did Vixen already know? Does Anna?
The memory in his head, of Vixen raising a glass with tears in her violet eyes as she proposed a toast to some friends she had lost long ago, played on a loop.
Her voice rang in his head like a mantra. "I have some people to toast to as well, people to me who are long gone but will forever remain in my heart. People I should've toasted to a long time ago."
Padfoot slung back into the shadows of the forest as he shifted back, pulling a hand through his long matted raven hair. "Shit," he mumbled to himself.
December 11th, 1993
Hogsmeade Village
Anna was currently walking arm in arm with Thomas through Hogsmeade, with James still banned from the village after beating the shit out of Bloodwell and Weaver—being the best friend that she was—decided to do something significantly stupid enough in their most recent Potion lesson with Severus to join him; thus leaving Anna and Thomas without their significant others.
However, instead of the pair lazing about the Common Room waiting for their other halves to finish their detention, the pair had decided to go to Hogsmeade with each other to do some Christmas shopping for said significant others without being caught by their other halves.
"Where do you want to go first, Tommy?" Anna asked as she gazed up at the blonde, who looked down to grin at her lazily, his chocolate eyes sparkling merrily.
Merlin, he always did look just like his mother. Vixen said in her mind with a soft nostalgic smile.
Thomas grinned at her. "How about we stop at Honeydukes first? Get our favourite little witch a few Sugar Quills?" He said teasingly, waggling his eyebrows at her with a wink.
She snorted and slapped his chest playfully at his quip, for which he simply let out a laugh before she beamed at him, flashing one of the brightest smiles he had ever seen grace her beautiful features. He hadn't known that just anyone could make her smile that brightly, his original thought had been that only James could make her smile like that.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Claws!" She exclaimed happily before she playful scowled at him, reaching up to pinch his cheek. "But one of these days, that blunt flirty personality of yours is going to get you in trouble, Tommy."
"Of bloody course it does, Hopps, I'm a bloody genius, remember?" He replied cheekily with a bright grin to go with it, throwing his arms behind his head before he offered the witch a lazy grin.
Anna smirked at him before she began pulling him by the collar of his winter robes towards Honeydukes. "Well, hurry up then, Mr Bloody Genius."
"I take offence to that, Hopps." He said through his laughter as he tried to keep up with her surprisingly quick strides on the icy cobblestone.
She turned to look at him with a cheeky grin, still pulling the wizard along by the collar of his winter cloak. "No, you don't, not if you're laughing, Claws." She replied cheekily with a giggle and wink to go with it.
He laughed loudly. "You got me there, Hopps, you can let go of my cloak. I ain't gonna run off on ya." He teased and she snorted, letting go of the front of his cloak with a toothy grin before the pair vanished inside Honeydukes to warm up from the cold December air. "So, what did you have in mind to buy?" He asked as a little bell rang in the distance of the shop to signify their presence when they stepped over the threshold, the door closing behind them as she tried to blow hot air into her hands to warm them up quicker and he snorted, casting a quick Warming Charm on her hands with the quick flick of his wand and she looked up at him gratefully. "Moons would kill me if your bloody hands fell off, I imagine you're rather attached to them."
Anna snorted a laugh and nodded.
"As is he," Thomas added with a sly grin and the teasing waggle of his eyebrows at her, snorting a laugh at the perplexed look on the witch's face. "James told us quite a while ago, don't worry, love. I won't say a word." He straightened with a wink in her direction and looked around the shop, letting out a low whistle in awe at how busy it was. "Merlin, I've never seen Honeydukes so packed."
Anna was grateful for the change in subject. "Neither have I, Claws." She replied before she spotted Ron and Hermione vanishing into one of the many aisles. "Oh! That's right! This must be most of the Third Years."
"Most?" Thomas asked with a chuckle and a raised brow.
Anna pointed to Ron and Hermione with a giggle. "Harry didn't get his form signed from those bloody Muggles, I imagine he's back at the castle pouting or trying to find a way to sneak into the village, the Weasley Twins stayed back at the castle too, I don't doubt that they'll be the ones to help the boy should Harry be successful."
Thomas snorted a laugh. "Poor bloke." His eyes fell on her once more. "Will you be alright if I vanish for a few moments? I promised Pads, I'd bring her back some Cauldron Cakes before she left for detention."
"I was going to grab some Chocolate Frogs for Moony, go ahead and I'll meet you at the register," Anna replied with a soft smile and Thomas nodded, swooping down to kiss her cheek in gratitude before the pair went their separate ways to grab the sweets they needed to placate their significant others.
As Anna walked towards the bin of Chocolate Frogs, she found some Sugared Butterfly Wings and she smiled softly at the fond memory of the first time she and James had gone to Honeydukes together in their third year.
"Jamie, look!" Anna exclaimed, pointing at the new plaque Honeydukes, it read in dark purple lettering with a silver border stamped across the plaque. The lettering read: Sugared Butterfly Wings. "Oh! They're real butterfly wings! Poor creatures!" Anna said with a frown at the sight of the winged creatures covered in melted sugar and colourful granulated sugar as decoration as she silently sucked on the end of one of her new Sugar Quills.
James simply let out a laugh and shook his head. "Don't worry, love, they aren't real. Right?" He asked the owner who had noticed the couple.
"No, they aren't, they do look it, don't they?" Anna nodded and sheepishly asked if she could try one. "Go ahead, dear," the owner said happily, and Anna, her hand shaking, took one from the bin, sucking of the sweet sugar before she let out a soft hum in approval, her ocean eyes glazing over happily.
"Jamie, try one, they're really good!" She told him excitedly, and he looked at the owner who smiled at her enthusiasm and gave the pair a box for free when they paid for the rest of their sweets.
She grabbed a small box of the treat before she continued on towards the bin of Chocolate Frogs that was close to the aisle for Unusual Tastes where she saw Ron and Hermione looking over some sweets, she giggled when Hermione recoiled in disgust when Ron shoved a jar of Cockroach Clusters beneath her nose.
Her brow raised when Ron nearly dropped the jar after a moment, a look of shocked surprise crossing his features.
Even Hermione looked surprised as she quickly looked around and Anna watched as she hissed something inaudible over all the noise in the sweet shop before Anna focused her lupine hearing on the conversation.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed quietly. "What are you doing here? How—How did you—?"
"Wow! You've learnt to Apparate!" Ron said in astonishment, looking impressed.
Anna smirked, of course, Harry had found a way to sneak out of the castle into the village to join his friends in the village.
"' Course, I haven't," Harry said as he stared at Ron with a raised brow before he dropped his voice and told Ron and Hermione about the Marauders Map and how Fred and George had given it to him, much to Ron's annoyance.
Anna snorted a soft laugh to herself, of course, her suspicions of the Weasley Twins helping Harry out of the castle had been confirmed.
Anna's eyes flashed violet as Vixen smiled softly at the trio. "Looks like the Map is in good hands now."
Anna's blue eyes returned and she smiled softly before she turned back to the bin of Chocolate Frogs and grabbed a couple of boxes that she gently placed in the basket she was carrying with the Sugared Butterfly Wings, dropping her voice when a few sixth years looked at her oddly before she made her eyes flash violet in as a warning and they all looked away; perfectly content to mind their own business. "I agree. The Twins couldn't have chosen a better successor for the Map."
My brother would so proud to know that his son was given the Map. Vixen said proudly in her mind.
I couldn't agree more, Vix, your brother would be very proud indeed. Anna replied in her mind as she made her way towards the register before she stopped and grabbed a few Sugar Quills on the way to meet Thomas.
Vixen barked a laugh in her mind. Pompous arsehole would be so bloody smug about it if we're being fucking honest here. Anna couldn't contain the giggle that escaped her, offering an apologetic glance to a few fourth years who gave her an odd look.
"Merlin, Hopps, what took you so long?" Thomas asked with a laugh when she finally reached the register.
She giggled. "Sorry, Claws, I got distracted by the Sugar Quills." She replied, although it was only partially true, she had gotten distracted by the Sugar Quills on her way to the register with her mental conversation with the time-travelling witch in her head, but he couldn't know that.
He laughed loudly. "'Figured you had." He replied before the pair paid for their sweets and left the shop.
As the pair made their way to the door to exit the busy shop, Anna noticed the notice pasted on the inside of the sweetshop door.
BY ORDER OF THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC
Customers are reminded that until further notice, Dementors will be patrolling the streets of Hogsmeade every night after sundown. This measure has been put in place for the safety of Hogsmeade residents and will be lifted upon the recapture of Sirius Black. It is therefore advisable that you complete your shopping before nightfall.
Merry Christmas!
Anna sighed, she really wasn't looking forward to a run-in with yet another Dementor and Vixen shivered in her mind at the mere thought.
"Did you get the Cauldron Cakes for Pads?" Anna asked as they strolled through the busy streets of Hogsmeade Village, wrapping their winter cloaks around themselves further to keep out the December bite.
Thomas grinned at her. "What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't get my girlfriend a treat for causing mischief?"
Anna burst into laughter. "A bad one, I suppose." She teased and he feigned hurt, bumping her hip with his own with a soft snort of laughter. "Although, I suppose you have a point, Tommy."
"Did you get the Chocolate Frogs for Moony?" He asked with a smirk, his chocolate eyes flashing with mischief.
Anna pinned him with a smirk. "What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't spoil the love of my life for defending my honour against an arsehole who bloody well deserved what he got?" She replied cheekily and he grinned at her.
"I suppose you're right, Anna."
She giggled before she reached into her bag and pulled out a package of Licorice Wands. "Here, love. I got these for you." She said with a soft smile as she passed the package of sweets to him.
He gave her a toothy grin and swooped down to kiss her cheek in gratitude. "Thanks, Hopps."
She grinned at him and offered the wizard a wink. "Anytime, Claws, now, shall we stop at the Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer, then?"
Thomas simply grinned at her.
The Three Broomsticks
"No underage wizards allowed in today!" A shrunken head barked at them when they opened the door to enter the inn.
"Shut the damn door!" Another shouted at them.
"How rude!" Anna huffed, puffing out her cheeks indignantly.
"Arseholes," Thomas growled as his chocolate eyes flashed amber in anger and Anna quickly shoved him outside the Three Broomsticks before anyone saw the shift.
"Thomas," she warned, the door to the inn closing loudly behind her as they stepped back out into the snow. "Claws in." She whispered, cupping his cheek to calm him and he did when she ran the pad of her thumb over his cheek.
"Sorry, love." He said softly after a moment of taking a deep breath to ground himself before he cupped her cheek.
"It's alright, Tommy. Just try not to go full tiger on them." Anna replied with a soft smile. "Last thing we need is a cub running around the Three Broomsticks trying to bite the ankles of unsuspecting witches and wizards who'll think they've gone mental for drinking too much mead."
He huffed indignantly at her comment and she giggled.
"We can always go to the Hog's Head instead, it's less crowded and fairly quiet." She offered as a compromise.
Thomas shivered at the mention of the pub. "Sorry, love. That place gives me the collywobbles." Anna giggled, he always sounded like Weaver when he spoke that way.
"Perhaps the Kitchens then? I'm sure Tilly and the House-elves would be happy to whip up a treat for us." Thomas smiled before the pair began to make their way back towards the snowy castle in the distance.
Halfway up the snowy trail to the castle, they ran into Mia, Clover, Holly, Irys and surprisingly, Weaver.
"Pads!" Anna exclaimed in excitement. "I thought you were in detention?"
Weaver laughed loudly as she adjusted the Quidditch goggles on her head. "What kind of member of the Lot would I be if I didn't skive detention with Professor Snape once in a while to have a girls day with my best mates?"
Thomas laughed and kissed her cheek firmly, making the witch let out a joyful giggle. "A pretty bad one, did you leave Moony in said detention all by his lonesome?"
Weaver snorted and stood on the tips of her toes to plant a gentle kiss to the tip of her wizard's nose. "' Course not, love. Our furry friend is in the Common Room, safe and sound. He's waiting for you to join him." She replied cheekily as Anna made her way to join Thomas before Weaver quickly grabbed the witch by the back of her winter cloak. "Not so fast, little Miss Hopper. What's the meaning of a girls day if you didn't join us?"
Anna snorted a laugh, shaking her head in exasperation as Weaver let go of the back of her cloak so the witch could adjust it. "I suppose it would be meaningless without me around, now wouldn't it?" She replied cheekily, sending the rest of the witches who scoffed in reply a cheeky wink.
"Shut up, Hopper!" Mia exclaimed as she let out a loud laugh, tossing her short raven hair over her shoulder.
"C'mon then, ladies!" Holly exclaimed happily, linking her arm with Anna's. "I want to visit the Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer!" She added, linking her other arm with her twin and pulling the witches along as the rest of the witches followed behind them.
Thomas halted in his tracks a few feet away from the witches to turn and meet Anna's eye with a frown, Anna nodded solemnly and he nodded at her unspoken reply to his silent question before he continued on towards the castle to meet up with James and the rest of the boys in the Common Room.
"Unfortunately, my fellow witches, the Three Broomsticks isn't allowing underage witches and wizards today, Tommy and I were just there. Those ugly shrunken heads kicked us out before we even had the chance to bloody walk in." Anna explained with a scowl, narrowing her ocean eyes at the snow that crunched beneath their shoes.
Irys slipped momentarily on the icy cobblestone pathway with a soft yelp and Clover giggled, helping the witch find her footing before they linked arms.
"That's rubbish!" Clover exclaimed, her amber eyes flashing in anger as she aggressively shoved her glasses back up her nose with her free hand.
"Don't worry about it, Queenie. Do any of you fellow witches want to brave a trip to the Hog's Head with me?" Anna comprised with a soft smile. She turned to Weaver with a smirk. "Tommy chickened out on me." She added in a hushed whisper to the ebony-haired witch, who snorted in laughter.
"Sounds like fun!" Weaver exclaimed with a triumphant laugh as she pumped her free fist in the air and began dragging Anna and her twin along towards the pub, the rest of the witches eagerly trailing behind.
The Hog's Head
The girl half of the Lot entered the Hog's Head to find it pretty dead, with the exception of a few older witches and wizards scattered around the tavern. They all found a booth, ignoring the surprised stares they were receiving from the rest of the pub-goers.
Anna simply giggled and waved to the rest of the witches and wizards. "The Three Broomsticks was closed to the underage." She announced and they all inclined their heads in understanding, returning to their conversations.
"Hello, ladies," The owner said thoughtfully. "Fancy you lot braving a trip here, don't get many young witches and wizards from Hogwarts in the pub these days."
Anna looked up from her girlfriends with a bright smile. "Hello, Aberforth," she replied with a smile that he softly returned. "The Three Broomsticks was closed to underage witches and wizards today, I hope you don't mind if we warm up here for a while."
"Of course not, Anna. You ladies are always welcome in my pub, lucky I still have Butterbeer left in stock." He replied with a soft laugh and the exasperated shake of his head before he vanished into the back to fetch their drinks for them.
"So, what should we do today, my fine furry friends?" Weaver asked in a hushed whisper, and although she had a bright grin on her face, her emerald eyes were flickering to the other pub-goers warily, just in case.
"I need to do some Christmas shopping, I still haven't gotten a gift for Amos." Holly replied with a sigh, mumbling something along the lines of, "he's a bloody nightmare to shop for," under her breath.
"I wanted to get something for James as well," Anna added with a giggle, patting the redhead's shoulder consoling because she could only imagine how hard it was to shop for one of their favourite bookworms. James was just as difficult to shop for when it came to books.
"I know Al's parents won't buy him anything for bloody Christmas so I wanted to stop at Zonko's to get him a basket." Mia chimed in with a mischievous glint as she rested her elbow on the table, resting her cheek in her open palm.
"I was thinking about buying something for Tip since whatever that slag, Cho, was it?" Everyone groaned and nodded at the auburn-haired witch, whose hair was down today rather than up in its usual clip, although Weaver was trying to stifle the giggles behind her hand when Clover, of all people, called Cedric's girlfriend a slag. "Whatever she bloody buys him will be absolute rubbish." Clover finished with a heavy sigh, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose with a huff, narrowing amber eyes at the corner of the table as though the wood had greatly insulted her.
"I agree, Queenie, honestly, I still don't know what he sees in that overwrought slag. Bloody hell, she should've been a Slytherin." Weaver added with a shit-eating grin as she leant her elbows on the table, resting her chin on the back of her interlaced hands. "Besides, I wanted to stop at Zonko's and get a gift for Tommy." She added with a lovesick smile as she stared off into the distance.
Anna giggled at the lovesick smile on her bonded sister's face, half tempted to pull the witches hands from beneath her chin to see if the witch would fall on her face as she daydreamed.
"You are so in love with him that it's adorable, Pads," Anna said with a cheeky grin, poking Weaver's side teasingly and laughing loudly when the ebony-haired witch let out a squeal.
"Honestly, the look she always gives him makes me nauseous." Mia chimed in with a feigned gag on her finger that resulted in a round of laughter from the other witches, who managed to catch the piqued interest of a few of the pub-goers before they went back to their own business with soft smiles.
"Shut up, Red." Weaver snorted, pinning the ravenette with a playful glare. "Honestly, you give Al the very same look!" She exclaimed before the group of girls laughed again.
"I do not!" Mia exclaimed in offence, the ends of her short raven hair sparking slightly.
"Yes, you do!" The rest of the witches chorused together loudly before they all burst into another round of laughter.
"Don't worry, Red, Thorn's been giving Amos that look since bloody First Year." Irys chimed in teasingly, side-eyeing the redhead with a smirk.
Holly grinned, not at all offended by the witches obvious jab. "And I still give him that look to this bloody day, thank you very much." The witch replied proudly, tossing her long dark red hair over her shoulder.
Suddenly, Aberforth returned with a tray of foaming tankards of Butterbeer. "Here you are, ladies." He said thoughtfully as he passed out the drinks to each of them.
"Thank you so much, Aberforth," Anna replied with a smile of gratitude when the older wizard passed the final foaming tankard to her.
"Anytime, dear. It's always a pleasure to see you in my pub rather than the Three Broomsticks."
Anna giggled, waving him off. "It's nice to have a change in scenery once in a while, your tavern is always quiet and it's nice to have some peace once in a while, you know this." The witch replied with a smirk, her eyes flashing violet as Vixen agreed.
"Tell Albus I said hello," he said with a wink before he vanished behind the counter once more, striking up a conversation with a witch at the bar, who had a large black shawl covering her face.
When he was gone, the rest of the witches stared at Anna as she took a sip of her Butterbeer, looking up to catch the bewildered looks from her friends. "What? Do I have something on my face?" The witch asked, reaching up to wipe her mouth in confusion.
"Why did Aberforth want you to say hello to Dumbledore for him?" Holly asked in confusion with a raised brow.
Anna let out a giggle, she couldn't help it. "You don't see the resemblance?" She asked teasingly as she tilted her head to the side. The girls all shook their heads before five pairs of eyes fell back on the older wizard, who had begun a conversation with a pair of wizards at the bar. "Merlin, I thought it was fairly obvious." The blackberry haired witch added with a giggle.
Clover, unsurprisingly, gasped when she stared at the wizard for about five minutes straight. "Merlin, they're related, aren't they?"
Anna nodded as she took another sip of Butterbeer with a smug grin. "That's right, Aberforth is Dumbledore's older brother. They don't exactly get along these days, so I relay messages between them from time to time." The rest of the witches inclined their heads in understanding. "Now, finish your Butterbeers, ladies, we have some shopping to do before nightfall," Anna added with a grin.
Hogsmeade Village - Main Road
The group of girls left the Hog's Head with a wave of thanks to Aberforth, who waved back at them with a gentle smile. Outside, they all wrapped their cloaks around them tightly to keep warm before Anna adjusted the beret on her head—a gift from Minnie the last time they had visited the Muggle part of France—, the rest of the witches seemed genuinely surprised that the witch managed to keep the hat on her head given the fact that her messy mane of curls usually prevented that.
"Where should we head first, ladies?" Anna asked with a grin as she spun on her heel to walk backwards and face her friends, yelping when she nearly tripped on an icy, uneven part of the cobblestone road that got caught beneath the heel of her boot.
Holly giggled as she helped the witch find her balance, slipping herself before the pair of witches toppled in a heap after one witch dragged the other with them. Mia and Weaver let out loud laughs before they carefully helped the pair to their feet.
"I was thinking we could stop at Tomes and Scrolls first, I wanted to get Amos a new book." Holly giggled as she brushed the snow that clung to her cloak from the fall, Anna doing the same with a snort, adjusting her beret before she took a chunk of snow from the cobblestone road out of her hair.
"Wonderful!" Anna replied cheerfully, letting out a squeal when she slipped on the ice again and fell on her backside with a laugh, not making a move to get up as she gave up on trying to keep her balance on the icy roads. She really needed better shoes and she made a mental note to stop by the shop that sold them later on before they all headed back to the castle. "I wanted to do the same for Moony since he finished the last one I bought him."
Irys giggled and offered the witch a hand, helping her to her feet when Anna took her hand with a grateful nod as the pair steadied themselves.
"Mia and I will head into Zonko's to get the gifts for Al and Tommy." Weaver chimed in with a grin as she linked arms with the ravenette.
"Snow and I will be in Honeydukes if you need us," Clover said with determination before she gripped Irys by the wrist and began pulling her along towards the sweetshop.
"Brilliant!" Anna said cheerfully as she clapped her hands together. "We'll all meet back here when we're done!" She called to Irys and Clover, the latter of which sent Anna a thumbs up from over her shoulder as she continued to drag the snowy-haired witch behind her.
Weaver barked a laugh. "We'll see you two in a bit then, yeah?" Anna nodded with a grin. "Brilliant! C'mon, Red, if you want to get Al a proper basket from Zonko's, we have to be quick about it before all the good ones are gone!"
"Quit dragging me, Pads! I can walk for myself!" Mia exclaimed as Weaver pulled her by her wrist, much like Clover had done with Irys.
Anna turned and shared a look with Holly before the pair of witches snorted as they linked arms and carefully made their way towards the bookstore.
Hogsmeade Village - Tomes and Scrolls
"What about this one, Hopper?" Holly's voice asked as a book was held up from the other side of the bookcase that separated the pair of witches. "Do you think Amos would like this one?"
Anna looked up from the shelves of old books to glance at the cover being held up and smiled. "That's a good choice, Thorn." She replied as she straightened and made her way around the bookcase into the same aisle as her redheaded friend. "Although, why are you asking me? You're the one who would know Amos best."
"I know, Hopper." She sighed, tucking a fallen strand of dark red hair behind her ear before she adjusted her Hufflepuff beanie. "But lately, Amos has been getting rather picky with the books he reads, so picky that finding a proper book for him to read has become damn near impossible."
Anna smiled, placing a hand on her bonded sisters shoulder. "I understand what you mean, love. James is bloody impossible to shop for when it comes to books, he's practically read them all."
Holly's emerald eyes fell to the book clutched in the witches hands. "A book on poetry?" She asked in confusion with a raised brow.
Anna smiled, her eyes drifting to the book with a nod. "James loves poetry, he recites it to me sometimes."
"That sounds so bloody romantic, Hopper," Holly replied with a swoon that made the pair burst into loud laughter, only to be shushed by the owner and a few customers who were reading in the many aisles.
"James is as romantic as it gets," Anna replied cheekily with a grin before her eyes fell to the book in Holly's hands. "That's a good choice," she added, gesturing to the book that her bonded sister was holding.
"You really think so? Do you think Amos would like it?" Holly asked as her emerald eyes fell to the book in her hands again.
"Of course, Hols, he'll love it," Anna replied with a beaming smile before she dragged the witch to the register so they could purchase their books.
December 13th, 1993
Hufflepuff Common Room
James, Clover, Mia, Anna and Al were all seated in the Common Room, talking and laughing as two of the witches decorated the tree that the Common Room had been given while the third read a book in front of the fireplace, the wizards playing a game of Wizard's Chess before the silence grew over them like a blanket when a black eagle owl flew in from the open window with a Howler clutched in its talons.
"Another fucking Howler?!" Anna shrieked in disgust when the owl landed in front of Al, her hair sparking at the ends at the audacity for Star's sister to send her son, her own flesh and blood, another bloody Howler so close to Christmas.
"I'm not surprised, kitten. This is her reply to my letter." Al said with a sigh as he stared at the red envelope that began smoking and hissing on the coffee table in front of him as the black eagle owl attempted to bite the boy when he reached for the Howler before it took flight out the open window.
The room collectively gasped.
"You sent your Mum a letter? Merlin, who are you and what have you done to our Paws?" James asked with a laugh.
Al grinned. "I'm still the same bloody person, you prat." The blonde replied, throwing a pillow from the sofa at the werewolf, who ducked with a loud laugh just in time as the pillow flew over his head. Silver eyes fell back on the Howler in his other hand that began to smoke and hiss more aggressively. He sighed. "Let's just get this over with." He mumbled before he tore open the Howler in bold defiance and immediately the Common Room filled with the shrill shrieking of his mother.
"ALAIN ALPHARD STORMS! YOU DESPICABLE EXCUSE OF A WIZARD! HOW DARE YOU ASK ME TO ALLOW YOUR LITTLE HALF-BREED GIRLFRIEND HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!"
Everyone, save for Clover, quickly covered their ears as the Howler screamed obscenities to the blonde boy seated firmly on the sofa, glaring at the Howler with youthful rebellion, with her lupine hearing, Anna could hear him grinding his teeth.
"Oh great," Clover grumbled over the loud screaming. "We get to deal with this some more?" The witch asked from her seat near the fireplace, her nostrils flaring as her framed amber eyes burned with hatred as she stared at the Howler like she could cause the screaming red envelope to burst into flames with a mere scathing look from over her book.
"Queenie, be nice." Anna scolded as she and Mia made their way over to sit next to Al on the sofa from where they had been decorating the Common Room Christmas tree.
"I'm just saying what we're all thinking, Hopper," Clover replied defiantly before she returned to her book, her nose twitching in irritation.
"YOU ARE NO LONGER MY SON! IF YOU EVER STEP ANOTHER TOE, INTO THE NOBLE HOUSE OF MY FATHER, I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SEVERELY PUNISH YOU, YOU WRETCHED LITTLE—"
"Incendio!" Anna hissed with the quick flick of her wand and the Howler burst into flames mid-sentence, curling to ash on the coffee table that Anna banished away with another quick flick of her wand.
"Thanks, Hopper," Al said with a look of relief.
Mia stood from her seat and knelt down in front of her boyfriend, emerald eyes wide in shock. "Y-You asked your Mum if I could come over for the holidays? A-Al, why would you do that?"
Al smiled at her, gently gripping her chin to make her look him in the eye. "Because, whether I hate my family or not, love, I still wanted you to meet my little brother. He really wants to meet you."
"H-He does?" Mia stammered, her eyes widening in surprise.
Al smiled, cupping her face as he leant forward to place a gentle kiss on her forehead before he pressed their foreheads together. "He really does, Princess."
Mia blushed at the nickname, shaking her head after a moment. "B-But you got yourself thrown out because of me!" She argued incredulously.
Al scoffed. "Good riddance to them then, they missed the opportunity to meet the best witch in my life."
"Hey!" Anna and Clover exclaimed in offence, both playfully glaring at the blonde with identical smirks.
"Girlfriend wise, ladies," Al added with a shit-eating grin to the other witches in the room while Mia continued to blush as silver eyes fell back on his blushing witch. "I know Michael will adore you, Red."
"In all the years that we've known you, Paws, you've never once told us your brother's name," Clover said with a soft smile from over her book as she rested the Muggle novel on her stomach, pulling the blanket she had draped over her legs further up her form to keep warm.
"You Lot never asked for it," Al replied cheekily with a shrug and a smug smirk to go with it.
"Where are you going to live now, love?" Mia asked softly and his steel gaze returned to his girlfriend, the smug look on his face softening when their eyes locked.
"He can stay with me and my family." Everyone turned to James, who was grinning brightly with his grassy green eyes on the blonde. "I'm pretty sure Mum will be happy to lend a hand out to one of her favourite nephews, not to mention, I won't be alone as much during the summer hols."
"Oi!" Anna exclaimed with a laugh as she tossed a pillow at her boyfriend and it hit him in the face. "I spend most of the holidays with you, you prat!"
James laughed loudly before he offered his girlfriend a wink. "I know, love, but it'll be nice to have another wizard around the house so my Mum doesn't coddle him as she does with you."
Anna's eyes flashed violet before they turned playful. "She just told me she was hoping for a daughter." The violet-eyed witch replied cheekily.
James let out a dramatic gasp as he stared at Vixen wide-eyed. "She did not!" He announced with a loud laugh.
"Oh, yes she did," a voice replied playfully from the portrait hole. It was Weaver, with a hand on her hip and a smirk on her lips, and Thomas, who had just entered the Common Room from the portrait hole. "I remember your mum took me, Hopper and Hols aside during the summer hols and asked if each of us would be willing to sign a proper form to become her daughters."
Anna couldn't contain the loud laughter that came from her throat, knowing perfectly well that no such meeting had taken place.
December 17th, 1993
Hufflepuff Common Room - Fifth Year Girls Dormitories
The Christmas break was upon them as the girls ran around their dormitory frantically packing their trunks, not without one tripping over an open trunk or running into each other with their arms full of clothes that needed to be laundered.
Anna would be relocating to the Summer Manor for the holidays, just like she had every single Christmas break since she and James had become a couple, only this time, Al would permanently be joining them.
Holly would be spending the Christmas Holidays with Amos and his family, who had invited Weaver, who would be joining Thomas and his family, over for dinner once they all arrived at King's Cross Station.
Mia had wanted to join Anna, James and Al at the Manor, but Al had simply cupped her cheek with the smallest shake of his head. "Spend some time with your family for the holidays, Princess. I'm always an Owl away, besides, I still need to unpack when we get to the Manor."
To which Anna and James had shared a look of sheer amusement, knowing full well that Lina would bite the boy if he even tried to do it himself.
"C'mon, fellow witches!" Irys announced happily as she towed her trunk behind her. "There's not much time before the train leaves!" She added before she vanished, Holly, Mia and Clover hot on her heels, also towing their trunks behind them.
Anna and Weaver were sitting on the window ledge of their dormitory, having a quick fag before they had to spend eight hours on the train without one.
"We'll be right there, Snow!" Weaver called from over her shoulder as the dormitory door closed behind the rest of the witches.
Anna giggled with a slight shake of her head, nudging her bonded sisters shoulder. "I don't think she heard you, Pads."
Weaver let out a barking laugh, throwing her free arm over Anna's shoulders as she took another drag of her fag. "I think you might be right, Hopper." She blew out the smoke from her lungs, placing the fag between her lips so she could adjust the Quidditch goggles on her head.
"Will you guys still join us when we Owl you?" Anna asked and Weaver grinned, side-eyeing the witch with a nod of confirmation before the pair threw their finished fags out the open window and stepped down from the ledge back into their dormitory one at a time.
"Of course, Hopps. What kind of sister would I be if I didn't come when called?"
Anna laughed loudly, Weaver had unknowingly walked headlong into that one.
"A bad dog?" The blackberry haired witch offered teasingly and Weaver gasped before Anna took off at a run with her trunk in tow and a squeal when Weaver chased after her, the pair of bonded sisters laughing loudly.
"Take that back, Hopper!" Weaver exclaimed in offence as she chased the witch through the Entrance Hall, where Minerva, Severus and Professor Lupin were leaving the Great Hall after breakfast, side-stepping the laughing blackberry haired witch as she turned to take a peek over her shoulder before she squealed when she saw that Weaver was hot on her heels.
"Catch me if you can, Pads!" The witch exclaimed with a loud laugh, she locked eyes with Minerva, who snorted and shook her head with the smallest hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Happy Christmas, Mum! You too, Professors!" She announced to the Professors, her eyes flashing violet at the end of her sentence when she caught Severus and Remus' eye.
"Take it back, Hopper!" Weaver exclaimed.
"Never!" Anna exclaimed with a loud laugh as she looked over her shoulder again when Weaver's hair began to spark.
"I'm not a bloody dog, Anna!" Weaver exclaimed in offence.
Anna merely let out a loud laugh. "You act like it sometimes!"
"I do not!" Weaver shouted in offence, the bands that confined her long ebony hair in her trademark braids snapping. "Hopps!" She shouted as the witch in question vanished through the Entrance Hall doors into the Courtyard.
"Happy Christmas, Miss Cloud!" Severus and Remus called to the blackberry haired witch together, eyeing one another in surprise before Minerva let out a laugh and waved to her adopted daughter.
"Have a good holiday with your friends, dear! Don't forget to Owl!" Minerva called to her adopted daughter fondly.
"I will! Love you!" The trio of Professors heard her call back with a loud laugh before Weaver barreled passed them with her trunk in tow, her long hair now blowing behind her from where the bands that kept her braids together had snapped, the ends of her wavy ebony hair sparking. "Hurry up, Pads!" Anna called teasingly.
"Get back here, you little shit!" Weaver called as Spirit ran behind her, trying to keep up with the witches before they all reached the Courtyard.
"Mum! Wait up! My paws are cold!" Spirit mewled as she began hopping through the deep snow and Anna slowed to a stop, scooping up her feline and placing the shivering kitten-like feline on her shoulders.
"Sorry about that, love," Anna said softly, kissing the side of Spirit's fluffy face while the feline let out a soft purr.
Weaver was pouting petulantly as she finally caught up with the witch and her feline. "I'm not a bloody dog."
Anna snorted, patting the witches shoulder. "No, I'm simply taking the piss out of you, love. Although, you did walk headlong into that one back in the dorms."
Weaver threw her head back with a loud barking laugh. "I suppose you're right, Hopps. Although, I suppose I may have kicked the bloody door open for that one."
The pair of witches manoeuvred their trunks on their opposite sides so they could walk alongside one another down the path towards Hogsmeade Station with loud laughter.
They reached the platform as Anna threw an arm over Weaver's shoulders, the ebony-haired witch laying her head atop her bonded sisters as they hauled their trunks on the train.
The train blew its whistle suddenly, the pair of witches exchanging a look with a shared gasp before they scrambled to get on the train. They quickly caught one of the doors before it snapped shut behind them and jumped on as Anna pulled Weaver inside the train quickly, the door snapping shut behind them with a loud SNAP!
The pair of witches yelped, with Spirit letting out a loud yowl, as they all landed in a heap.
Weaver stood with a barking laugh and brushed off her winter cloak before she helped Anna to her feet, Spirit was grumbling and shaking off her fluffy black fur before Anna swooped down to retrieve her fluffy feline, apologizing profusely to the pair of them. Weaver laughed and waved her off with a wide grin and Spirit purred in reply before they all set off down the corridor to find the compartment with all their friends as the train pulled out of Hogsmeade Station.
December 20th, 1993
Summer Manor - Library
Anna shrieked in laughter as James attacked her sides with his fingers, tickling her mercilessly, laughing loudly himself as he watched her flail and squirm to get out of his grasp, trying to find a way to escape his attack with loud, gasping, laughter.
The werewolf shifted his body as she tried to escape from him once more and held her down as he straddled her thighs.
Al entered the library in confusion to the noise before he slapped a hand to his mouth at the sight of James straddling Anna's thighs as she tried to get away from him while the werewolf continued his assault on her sides.
Jesse and Star, as expected, had happily accepted Al into the family as their own when they heard the news of what had happened and how James had asked the blonde to live with them. They had greeted the boy with open arms on platform Nine and Three-Quarters and even Lina had been overly enthusiastic about a new Young Master for her to care for permanently, who she now respectfully called, "Young Master Alain".
In celebration of Al living with them permanently, Lina had whipped up a delicious feast and had already done everything she could to make sure Al was as comfortable as possible in the Manor.
And, as James and Anna had completely expected, Lina had threatened to bite the boy when he offered to put away his own robes before she kicked him out of his own sleeping quarters to unpack everything herself.
She had even personally decorated his room in the Manor, with Star's help, with matte black walls and yellow accents, a few live potted plants in empty corners to fill the space, a Hufflepuff banner above the fireplace in his room to pull the room together nicely.
Star, on the other hand, was in charge of the more precious decorations in the wizard's bedroom and she had asked Anna to Owl Irys in regards to any photographs that the witch would have that Al would like to display in his room.
Irys, in reply, had replied to Anna's letter with vigour, sending copies of the moving photographs that had Al in them ever since their first year to Star that the older witch then proceeded to decorate the walls of Al's bedroom.
"Merlin, Moony, let the witch breathe," Al said with a laugh as he fully entered the library and plopped down on the empty sofa across from the couple.
In reply, James slowed his attack on the witch and Anna gasped for breath, trying to calm her racing heart as the werewolf let out a laugh and leant forward to kiss her sweetly, pulling away a moment later with a soft laugh before his lips drifted to her forehead which resulted in a chaste kiss. He pulled away fully after a moment and helped the witch sit up fully.
She giggled as she shifted when James sat back down properly and she tilted her head to the side, allowing her head to fall into his lap, his fingers immediately threading through her blackberry curls as he smiled down lovingly at his witch.
"Are you settling in alright, Paws?" James asked after a moment, his eyes drifting back to his cousin with a raised brow.
Al smiled and nodded. "The Manor is amazing, even better than home if I'm being honest."
Anna scoffed. "That stopped being your home a long time ago, love."
Al chuckled at her pinched expression. "I know, kitten."
Her scowl became a soft smile after a moment. "I'm happy you're settling in alright, love. I'm glad that you don't have to deal with them anymore, that you're finally safe."
Al frowned as he looked away. "Michael is still there, kitten. I'm worried about him."
Anna mimicked his expression as she sat up from her wizard's lap. "I know, Paws. He is your baby brother after all."
Al sighed as he leaned back into the sofa cushions. "I really wanted Mia to meet him, he's been talking about meeting her since I told my family that she and I were together."
Anna smiled fondly, people always assumed that Al and Mia's dating was a mere facade to protect her from Hardwind, however, what Anna saw when she looked at the blonde in front of her now, she saw a wizard truly in love with her fox-like friend and knew full well that Mia returned the sentiment completely.
"He can still meet her, however, I suggest that you allow them to meet when your parents aren't aware of it, like once we return to the castle," Anna suggested with a soft smile, leaning back into her boyfriend's warmth as James wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Al snorted a laugh. "Thanks for the advice, Hopper."
Anna giggled and offered the blonde a wink. "Anytime, Paws."
"Honestly, if we can't do it at the castle, I suppose we could just sneak your brother over to the Manor for an hour or two for them to meet," James suggested with a teasing grin.
Al snorted another laugh and scrubbed his hand down his face. "While I'm at it, I suppose I could steal that hideous Persian rug my mum owns in the drawing-room for a couple of Galleons."
Anna giggled. "Behave, boys." She warned teasingly, ocean eyes lifting to James, who grinned down at her, kissing her temple.
"Don't tempt me, love." He replied cheekily and the trio shared a laugh.
"Get a den, you fuckers." Al offered in mock disgust with a loud laugh to go with it and a teasing grin.
Anna laughed loudly at the jab, turning her head into James' chest to muffle the sound of her laughter while James buried his face into her mane of curls to stifle his own laughter.
After the laughter died down, James let out a contented sigh as he held his witch closer.
"Honestly, I love Hogwarts, but it's good to be home sometimes."
Anna hummed in agreement to her boyfriend's comment, pressing her back further into his side as she turned the page of her book while Al turned the pages of his own book, or well, a Muggle motorcycle magazine that Anna had scolded him for a few minutes earlier on how the Muggle ladies were dressed, or well, certain in a state of undress that made her slightly nauseous.
Al looked up from the magazine with a grin. "Me too, mate." He set his magazine aside, cover facing down, and Anna stifled a gag at the certain Muggle that was in a particular state of undress on the still photograph. "I can never thank you enough for taking me in, Moons."
James simply grinned and waved off the boy like it was no big deal. "We're family, Paws. Both literally and figuratively. But mostly literally."
Anna giggled, choosing to further ignore the still photograph of Al's magazine and turned her gaze up to her handsome wizard from her copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them before her ocean eyes fell on the blonde. "We're just glad that you're home, love. This is where you belong, with us. Home."
"That's gonna take some getting used to," Al said with a soft chuckle, averting his steel gaze before he closed his magazine completely with a soft hint of a blush covering his cheeks. "The pair of you calling this place home for me." He added softly as he lifted his gaze to meet their eyes again and Anna watched as his silver eyes brimmed with tears and she quickly set her book aside, standing after she shook off James' arm and made her way to sit next to the boy to envelope him in a tight embrace, carding her fingers through his hair to calm him.
"I meant what I said, Al. This is your home now. With us. They may have given birth to you, but they're a far cry from your bloody family." Anna said sternly as she pulled away to gaze into those watery silver eyes, her own shifting to a stormy grey as she offered him a soft smile.
Her eyes drifted to the silver chain around his neck, something he never took off ever since she had given it to him in their first year.
She smiled fondly and reached up to hold out the chain from his throat. "I charmed this chain to bring you here if you ever had a problem or an emergency at home. This is your home now. We watched you grow into the young man you are today, no thanks to them." She added the last part sarcastically, smiling softly when Al snorted a laugh of agreement through his tears. "You've come so far, love. Blood does not always mean family."
"She's right, mate." James chimed in as he sat down on Al's vacant side, placing a hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Blood or not, we're your family, we always have been."
Al smiled softly, pulling the couple in for a tight embrace. "Thanks, you guys." He whispered as he closed his eyes.
December 24th 1993
Summer Manor
Anna let out a triumphant laugh of victory when the card in front of him exploded. "My point!" She exclaimed enthusiastically and he huffed a laugh.
"Bloody cheater," he mumbled under his breath, perfectly aware that his girlfriend could hear him.
She gasped dramatically, a hand landing on her heart as though his words had truly wounded her. "You wound me, Mister Moony."
Al was laughing from the sofa as he watched the couple play a round of Exploding Snap, prepared to step in for the loser to challenge the champion of the match. "You gotta hand it to her, Moons. Witch is a bloody natural at Exploding Snap and Wizards Chess."
Anna giggled as she eyed the wizard on the sofa. "And you'd do well to remember that when you're next— Ow!" She exclaimed when the card James set down in front of her exploded and she momentarily glared at the blonde for distracting her.
"My point," James said smugly before he coughed when another card exploded in a puff of smoke.
"My game, you mean?" She asked teasingly, she was out of cards and James huffed before he stood and took Al's space on the sofa as the blonde took a seat in front of the witch and she shuffled the deck. "Are you lot excited for tomorrow?" She asked with a grin as she dealt the cards between her and Al.
The blonde took a look at his cards, organising a few with a smirk before he genuinely smiled at her. "Yeah, it's been a minute since we've had a proper Christmas together."
James simply grinned and nodded excitedly. "Of course, love."
Anna giggled. "The last time we all spent the holidays together was . . . second year, I believe and even then, it wasn't the whole Lot together."
"What are you misfits up to?" A voice asked and the trio turned to the archway that led into the drawing-room where Jesse and Star were standing.
James grinned at his parents. "We were just talking about tomorrow, when did you two get in?"
Jesse snorted. "'Few minutes ago. Came to check on you lot first."
Anna turned to Star with ocean eyes bright. "I still think you look lovely in your dress, Star. How was the dinner party?"
Star smiled thoughtfully, smoothing out the skirt of her emerald cocktail dress that brought out her green eyes. "Thank you, love. It went well."
Anna smiled before she coughed when a card released a puff of smoke and the pair of young wizards laughed loudly before she turned to narrow ocean eyes at them.
"You gotta keep up, kitten," Al teased before he yelped when a card exploded in his face when she threw down a good card that was set to explode and she giggled, tossing her blackberry curls over her shoulder in triumph, making the Summer parents laugh at how smug she looked with bright violet eyes.
James snorted a laugh before he locked gazes with amethyst and he grinned at her, his grin turning into a full-fledged smirk when Vixen winked at him smugly.
Christmas was upon them at last, Anna had been excited beyond belief that she finally had the chance to spend the Christmas holidays with everyone, having already sent the Owls to her friends about the occasion at the Manor of New Year's Eve, each of which, had happily accepted the invitation, including their families. Not even Clover had caused a fuss, although she had mentioned in her Owls that Justin had begun acting strangely towards her and she couldn't fathom for the life of her, why.
Vixen, however, had her suspicions on the matter. His father, Evan, was a Death Eater. Justin may very well have followed in his father's footsteps. Her near-twin had told the witch in her mind when they had received the letter and Anna sighed.
"You okay, kitten?" Al asked softly, his grey eyes full of concern at her solemn expression.
Anna smiled at him, shifting to her knees to ruffle his blonde hair affectionately. "I'm fine, love. No need to worry about me."
Merlin, she wished she could tell them about her suspicions on the future little Death Eaters that they currently attended Hogwarts with, however, it would've been far too complicated to explain, not to mention why she would bring up Justin at all.
The rest of the Lot still didn't know that Clover and Justin were seeing each other.
Anna placed down another card that was set to explode, missing the way that James and Al exchanged a look of concern at her behaviour.
"Are you lot excited for Christmas?" Star asked after a while as she sat on the sofa, knitting, her cocktail dress had been changed earlier on after the dinner party that Vixen told Anna reeked of Order business, whatever the bloody hell that was.
Anna and James, unsurprisingly, beamed. Al, on the other hand, sighed heavily.
The trio was lounging in front of the fireplace now, Spirit purring happily on Al's shoulders as he flipped through a book that Mia had given him. Anna had her head in James's lap once more as he threaded his fingers through her hair.
"I'm not really expecting anything this year, Mum," Al said softly, averting his gaze from her surprised emerald eyes as he propped the novel, cover facing up, on his stomach.
The moment the Summer parents had opened their arms and took the boy in, Al had quickly fallen into the routine of calling Star and Jesse, Mum and Dad, with the, scowled comment that even his own parents hadn't deserved such titles, least of all from their eldest son.
Star set down her knitting needles with a frown, the needles quickly setting to work themselves to finish the black and yellow scarf she had been knitting for Anna. "What makes you say that, love?"
Al shrugged with a sigh and Anna turned to catch Star's eye with a quick shake of her head, silently telling the older witch with frantic ocean eyes that it was always a sore subject when it came to Al and most likely had something to do with the prejudice-side of his family.
Star immediately understood.
Later that evening, when James and Al retired for bed, Anna was putting away the remaining books she had been reading in the Summer Family Library, levitating the books that belonged on the higher shelves with her wand when Star entered the library with a soft smile and a tray of tea and biscuits in her hands.
"Anna, dear. Would you be a love and help me with something?" Anna turned to raise a questioning brow, letting out a yelp when the book she had been levitating nearly fell on her with a thud. Star let out a laugh, setting down the tray of the coffee table in front of the sofa before flicking her wand to the book that had fallen, the book levitating back to its shelf. "Are you alright, dear?"
Anna giggled and nodded. "I'm alright, you startled me is all, thank you for the help. What can I assist you with?"
"I have a little request to ask of you, dear." The older said fondly as she took a seat on the library sofa before she gestured to the sofa across from her as a silent request that the young witch join her. "Have a seat, dear. Chat with me for a bit."
Anna smiled and took a seat across from the older witch, not even realizing it when she crossed her feet at the ankles, much like Star was doing. "Anything, Star, I'm always happy to help."
"How is he?" Star asked, her soft smile fading to a frown and Anna mimicked her expression, knowing perfectly well who she was speaking about.
"He's adjusting, although, it's to be expected that it should take a bit of time, he really is grateful that you took him in. As am I. He's always had it rough and he usually doesn't like to talk about it, not even to James or myself." Anna replied as she took the cup of tea that Star held out to her with a soft smile and a nod of thanks.
Star nodded as she contemplated Anna's words, allowing a cube of sugar, then another, to join together in her own cup of tea. "What does your friend think about it?" She asked slyly, gesturing briefly to her own head and Anna snorted a laugh.
"I had wondered if you had figured it out at one point, either that, or Jesse told you who I truly am," Anna replied softly and Star let out a soft laugh.
"I had figured it out quite a while ago if we're being honest. Although, Jesse has mentioned it to me on occasion. Vixen was always very kind to me growing up, not to mention, she managed to help me trick Jesse into our first date. I was a nervous wreck, so Vixen helped me brew a Calming Draught."
Anna snorted a laugh because, for some reason, she didn't doubt that for a second.
"You were nervous?" Anna asked curiously and Star nodded with a heavy sigh.
"A bloody mess, more like, but yes, after all, I was a Slytherin and Jesse was a Hufflepuff when we attended Hogwarts. I knew my family would never approve of the match, even if Jesse and I didn't get along the first few years we attended Hogwarts."
Anna's ocean eyes went wide, astonished at such information. Star and Jesse hated each other when they had been younger?
Her ocean eyes quickly faded to violet before a smirk graced her lips, taking a smug sip of the cup of tea in her hands. "I told you it would work, cousin. You owe me 5 Galleons." Vixen said smugly and Star let out a genuine laugh.
"I suppose I do, don't I?" The witch said thoughtfully. "I really do thank you for your help, Vixen." Vixen smiled and bowed her head curtly.
"No need to thank me, love. I would've helped you, regardless of whether you were family or not. After all, I needed to make sure that you had James. You raised him well." Star smiled affectionately.
"Just as you asked me to, love, say now that we're on the subject of James, why didn't you ever tell me about his . . ." Vixen sighed heavily.
"You know I couldn't even if I wanted to, cousin, and Merlin only knows, how much I wanted to. I'm so sorry that happened to him." Star sighed and took a solemn sip of her tea. "You really did raise him well, even with the circumstances. That sweet boy is like a brother to me." Vixen took a sip of her own tea with a soft hum of content. "Now, what did you need our help with?"
"How do you feel that Al is adjusting?" Vixen smiled fondly.
"He often reminds me of Sirius, if I'm being honest. As Anna said earlier, it'll take some time for him to adjust fully. However, I know that he truly is grateful for your family taking him in, I would've offered myself, had James not stepped up for the job so quickly." Star smiled thoughtfully at the information. "I'm grateful that you took him in as well and Anna wholeheartedly agrees. My brother did it for Sirius all those years ago, his family tried to force the Dark Mark." Star gasped in horror at the revelation and Vixen nodded solemnly at the silent question. "Eventually, my brother also offered our home to Regulus as well when the pair of us married, I apologize for not inviting you and Jesse to the wedding," Vixen said with a frown before she grumbled out an annoyed, "Circumstances," with a roll of her violet eyes as she set down her cup of tea and crossed her arms over her chest.
Star giggled and waved her off. "No need to worry, dear. Although, Jesse whinged about it for months when we got word."
Vixen smirked. "How did you stop his whinging?"
Star grinned smugly, taking another sip of her tea. "Made him sleep on the sofa for a week, of course. No spare bedrooms in this bloody house when I say there isn't, including the fact that I ordered Lina to make sure she didn't help him for the entire week. She was in a right fit about it, but once the week was over, she happily went back to her duties of helping the Master of this house."
Vixen let out a barking laugh at the revelation. "Poor Lina."
Star waved her off with a giggle. "She got over it, eventually."
"Anything else I can offer my assistance to, dear cousin?" Vixen asked with a giggle as she sat up to take another sip of her tea, cringing at the temperature and snapping her fingers to cast a non-verbal and wandless Heating Charm.
Star's eyes lit up and she smiled fondly. "What did you have in mind for a Christmas present for Al?"
Vixen grinned happily. "Now that you mention it, dear cousin, I do have something in mind.."
December 25th, 1993
Summer Manor - Anna's Sleeping Quarters
Christmas morning allowed Anna to open her eyes and sit up in her four-poster, rubbing the sleep from her ocean eyes with a soft yawn as she turned to look out the window, her curtains were open to allow the sunlight to filter into her room, which wasn't surprising, she briefly remembered Lina had been in the room in the wee hours before the sunlight to stoke the flames in the fireplace, open the curtains, and organise a few things before she vanished again.
The small Christmas tree in the corner of her room made her smile as her eyes fell to the bottom of the tree, where her eyes widened at the parcels beneath her tree.
There were never presents beneath her tree.
It was, to put it simply, for show; since Anna loved to decorate the tree on her own without magic to remember her Muggle-born heritage.
Star and Jesse understood.
Back in their first year, Anna, James, Al and Clover had decorated the Common Room Christmas tree all on their own for the students who chose to stay within the castle walls for the holidays; however, the older students, were more than happy to assist the struggling first-years when a magical ornament needed to be higher up on the large tree.
Anna remembered decorating the tree in the cottage, growing up with her mother and father, where her mother would giggle from the armchair or sofa while her father held his daughter upon his shoulders while Anna placed the plastic angel on top of the tree.
It always brought a smile to her face and she slowly got out of bed to approach the tree, kneeling down to examine the parcels.
Predictably, all of them had her name on them in different handwriting; the smallest of which, Anna recognised immediately, not that the little fox silhouettes on the wrapping didn't help significantly and she quickly grabbed Mia's gift to her to put under her bed for later.
She stood once more and approached the tree again, smiling fondly as she watched the little broom ornaments that Star and Jesse had given her, zoom through the many branches, only stopping momentarily in front of the witch to greet her before taking off again and she smiled.
She always loved Christmas at the Manor, always full of joy and laughter. Her gaze drifted to the window and she grinned brightly, a fresh blanket of snow had fallen over the orchards and was continuing to fall in thick wispy white flakes that clung to her window.
Pop! Anna turned at the sound to beam at Lina excitedly, who smiled at her fondly. "Breakfast is ready, Miss Anna. Mistress sent Lina to fetch the Young Miss."
Anna smiled fondly, bowing in appreciation. "Thank you, Lina. I'll be down in a moment. Happy Christmas."
Lina beamed, her violet eyes flashing merrily. "Happy Christmas, Miss Anna."
"Are the boys awake yet?" Anna asked with a grin, knowing full well that James usually slept in whenever he was home for the holidays. Merlin only knew, the wizard needed it.
Lina shook her head, her bat-like ears flapping as she moved. "Not yet, Miss Anna. Lina was about to go wake the Young Master."
"Do you mind if I wake the other Young Master?" Anna asked thoughtfully, her eyes flashing violet with mischief and Lina beamed.
"Of course not, Miss Anna! Lina always appreciates the help of the Young Miss!" She exclaimed cheerfully, clapping her hands together before she vanished with a soft Pop!
Anna giggled and quickly got dressed into one of the jumpers that Molly had given her Christmases prior and some Muggle jeans before she quickly made her way to Al's room.
Unsurprisingly, as she entered the room, the blonde was snoring in his bed, one of his legs tangled in the sheets and Anna stifled a snort of laughter at the sight.
The Christmas tree in the corner of his room, much like hers, had presents beneath it. All from their friends at Hogwarts.
The biggest of which had a midnight blue background with the snowy silhouettes of owls on the wrapping, the second biggest was much like the smallest of Anna's, in which it had little silhouetted foxes on the wrapping and Anna smiled.
She knew Al hadn't been expecting much for Christmas if anything.
However, she, Vixen and Star had spent the majority of the evening prior scouring through Star's old heirlooms that had been properly checked by a Curse-Breaker for a proper gift, the gift of which, was elegantly sitting in shiny gold wrapping on the blondes nightstand with a large black bow.
Anna beamed and quickly rushed into the room, jumping onto the bed next to the blonde with a shouted, "Wake up, you prat! It's Christmas!"
He tumbled from the bed with a loud yelp, landing in a heap on the floor, sitting up quickly to glare at her over the edge of the bed when she fell over laughing.
"Very funny, Hopper." He grumbled in annoyance.
She sat up with a wide grin. "You won't be so angry in a few moments, Paws. Look at your tree!" She exclaimed, pointing to the tree in the far corner of his sleeping quarters and he followed her finger, where silver eyes grew wide in surprise at the many presents beneath the tree all with his name on them. While he was distracted, she snatched the shiny parcel from his nightstand and hid it behind her back.
His grey eyes were wide as he stared at the mountain of parcels beneath the tree in his room. "I-I've got presents," he mumbled aloud and she smiled fondly, lifting a hand to card it through his hair affectionately.
"You really didn't think that we'd leave you with nothing, now, did you?" She asked smugly as she laid down on her stomach to face him, kicking her feet merrily in the air and their eyes locked. She presented the golden wrapped parcel to him with a soft smile. "That one is from Star and Jesse. 'Took Star and I ages to find it last night. She thought you might want something that belonged to the family, an heirloom." He took the shiny parcel hesitantly. "It's alright, love. Open it."
Just as the blonde was about to tear open the wrapping, the door opened and James stepped in with a loud yawn that he tried to stifle with his hand. "Morning, you Lot."
Anna beamed as she stood from Al's bed, crossing the room to kiss her boyfriend sweetly. "Good morning, love. Happy Christmas."
He kissed her cheek sweetly. "Happy Christmas, love." His eyes fell on Al, who was still staring at the shiny parcel in his hands. "Who's that from?" James asked curiously as he entered the room fully to take a seat on the blonde's bed before he snorted a laugh as though a thought had only crossed his mind. "Mate, why are you on the floor?"
Al narrowed his eyes at Anna when she snorted a laugh. "Ask your witch, Moons."
James turned to Anna with a raised brow and she grinned at him innocently. "I may or may not have startled him into falling out of bed." The witch replied innocently, a mischievous glint in her ocean eyes.
"May or may not have, my arse." The blonde grumbled bitterly. "You bloody well did," Al said with a growl and Anna's gaze fell on the blonde with a sweet smile, her eyes flashing violet for a moment.
Vixen was still busying herself by rolling around on the ground in the witches mind, laughing her arse off.
James let out a loud laugh and clapped the blonde on the back. "Cheer up, mate. It's Christmas. You know she gets excited. If it makes you feel any better, Lina woke me up by walloping me on the head with the Prophet and told me breakfast was ready."
Al and Anna burst into loud rounds of laughter at this.
"C'mon, loves, let's go eat before she decides to wallop all of our arses," Anna said cheekily as she helped Al untangle his leg from the sheets before the trio made their way to the dining room, where Jesse and Star were waiting for them.
"Happy Christmas, you lovely little misfits!" Star announced cheerfully, her wand setting off a round of colourful confetti that vanished once it landed on a flat surface, like the floor or table.
Anna was the first to reply, with just as much enthusiasm. "Happy Christmas, Star! Happy Christmas, Jesse!"
Jesse looked up from the morning's copy of the Daily Prophet with a soft smile, kissing her cheek in greeting when she crossed the room on the way to her seat. "Happy Christmas, dear."
Anna took her seat at the table, besides Star, who immediately struck up a conversation about the witches plans for the day after the presents were opened while James and Al took their seats across from the witches.
"Happy Christmas, boys," Jesse said fondly once the boys were settled into their seats. "How did you sleep?"
James snorted a laugh. "I slept well, although, it would've been better had Lina not walloped me with the Prophet to wake me up."
"Or an overly enthusiastic witch giving me a bloody heart attack." Al chimed in, narrowing his eyes at Anna, who simply giggled and waved him off.
"Eat your breakfast, Al." She ordered smugly, gesturing to the plate in front of him.
Star noticed the parcel that Al placed on the table before he grabbed his fork and she smiled. "I see you found my present." She said with the smallest of smiles and Al looked up from his plate with a fond nod. "Why don't you open it now, before we all dig in?"
Al thought about it for a moment before his eyes fell on Jesse, who smiled fondly at the boy with a nod. "Go ahead, son. We're all here and it's Christmas."
Al set his fork down before his eyes fell on the small golden parcel and he quickly tore at the wrapping, that Star vanished with the quick wave of her wand, although Anna briefly heard Spirit grumbled out a complaint from beneath the table at not being able to play with the wrapping.
The small penknife fit perfectly in the palm of his hand and he stared at it with wide eyes.
"It's charmed to untie any knot and open any lock. I figured it might come in handy in the future. However, I have a request of you, dear." Al looked up at the older witch with wide silver eyes that were slowly brimming with tears.
"What is it, Mum?"
Star smiled mischievously. "Don't get caught."
December 28th, 1993
Summer Manor - Orchards
Christmas had come and gone in the Summer Manor without a hitch, presents were opened in the large drawing-room after all the parcels had been summoned from the individual sleeping quarters and eggnog was spilt, but overall, everyone in the Manor had fun.
Anna had even surprised Lina with a gift of her own, a brightly coloured feather duster that she had charmed to extend itself on command so it wouldn't need to be levitated and James had commented that the Charm was a wonderful idea for families who didn't have the privilege of owning a House-elf.
Anna agreed wholeheartedly.
In addition to the new rolls of parchment and Quills that she had been given from Hermione, she had received many gifts as well. A few books on charms from Holly and a new bottle of black nail polish from Weaver since the witch knew Anna had been running dangerously low and the bottle had been wonderfully charmed to never go empty.
Amos and Thomas had given her new plants that they found while travelling, knowing how much the witch enjoyed Magical and Non-Magical plants alike.
Irys had given her a miniature replica of her families ship in a bottle that Anna had quickly placed in the mantel of the fireplace in her bedroom of the Manor, the waves were charmed to crash against the ship and the glass walls of the bottle as well a magical painting kit that the white-haired witch had found. Her letter had said that Anna was greatly missed abroad and that the witch hoped that Anna would join her next summer for another cruise of the Caribbean with her family.
Mia had gifted the witch a citrine bracelet that matched the necklace that James had given her all those years ago and the steamy werewolf novel that Anna had hidden beneath her bed, to open it alone, as per their tradition, kept James and Al take the mickey out of her about it for weeks.
Cedric had gifted her broom polish, which he knew the witch was running low on, and a beautiful phoenix feather quill.
Clover's gift had surprised her and had been her favourite of all the gifts she had received, a ball of yarn that made the witch snort in laughter at the mere irony before she grabbed the ball and damned near dropped it in surprise when it shifted to a crystal ball, charmed to project one of the fondest memories Anna and Clover shared together in the crystal, of the Lot swimming in the Manor Orchards that passed summer.
James' gift to her had made her giggle, trapping her beneath a charmed mistletoe with Al laughing loudly in the drawing-room before the wizard himself presented the witch with a gift of his own. A simple silver chain, much like his own that she had gifted him, the only difference was the silver pendant of a cat silhouette, engraved with the word, kitten.
Finally, Peter's gift had made tears brimming in the corners of her eyes, a magical camera of her very own, much like the one that Anna had gifted to Irys in their second year. However, this camera was charmed to never get old, never run out of film, and never get dusty or break in any way, shape or form. It was charmed to last for years and years.
Vixen appreciated the gift as she knew the pair of them would most likely need it in the future.
Violet eyes stared at the pair of wizards throwing snowballs at one another in the orchards behind the Manor as the witch wrapped her cloak further around herself to keep out the late December chill.
"You two idiots having fun?" Vixen asked the boys smugly and the pair stopped, mid-throw to glance at her.
James beamed at her eyes, while Al seemed momentarily confused at her personality change, not that he wasn't already used to, of course. The pair of wizards exchanged broad grins before turning their attack on the witch, which she held up her hand with a wicked grin and the snowballs stopped in front of her.
"Nice try," she teased before she flicked her wrist and the snowballs launched backwards and found their marks in each of the boys' faces and she fell over laughing as James and Al spluttered in surprise. "Always be on your guard." She advised through the tears of mirth pouring down her face before she let out a loud shriek when Al shoved a handful of snow down the back of her cloak and she rounded on him, violet eyes practically glowing. "You're dead, Storms."
The blonde laughed loudly and took off as she quickly swooped down to make a ball of snow of her own and then tossed it in the air, flicking her wrist before the single ball of snow duplicated continuously before they all chased the boy around the orchards. Al let out a loud laugh and ducked and dodged as best as he could when one after the other they all launched for any part of the blonde that they could hit.
James was laughing loudly at the scene before his eyes settled on the witch, who he noted had violet eyes and a wicked grin full of mischief.
Vixen, he thought fondly. She never comes out to play with us.
"I didn't know you could do wandless and non-verbal spells, Hopps. That's beyond N.E.W.T. level magic."
Vixen let out a snort as she shrugged, letting out a barking laugh when one of her snowballs managed to score the blonde in the face as he spluttered. "I got bored, so, I decided to teach myself." She replied nonchalantly with a smirk and James grinned at her as the violet-eyed witch offered him a secret wink when another snowball blurred Al's vision. "'Didn't take long to practice, Mister Moony. It just takes patience."
Al snorted a laugh as he wiped the snow out of his silver eyes again. "Knowing you, kitten, it must've taken quite a while then."
He spluttered again when another one of her snowballs managed to hit him in the face while another managed to score the back of his head as he laughed and shook the snow from dusty blonde locks that were starting to cling to his forehead. "On the contrary to what you might believe, Paws, I actually do have quite a bit of patience." She replied smugly, laughing loudly when James yelped as one of her snowballs hit the werewolf in the arse.
The pair of wizards snorted in laughter, each throwing a snowball her way, that she ducked beneath. "I'll believe it when I see it, kitten."
Later that evening found the trio getting ready for the approaching full moon, the wards around the Manor Orchards was being strengthened by Jesse, Star and Vixen while Al and Lina attempted to get the werewolf to submit to a bath inside the Manor.
"Are you sure this will be enough?" Star asked cautiously as she flicked her wand, the end glowing a soft silver as the wards strengthened and Vixen smiled at her fondly.
"You worry too much, love. He'll be fine, again, I really am sorry I never warned the pair of you about his lycanthropy." Vixen said as she flicked her wand to make sure the Protection wards were string, adding about six of her own just to be absolutely certain.
"No need to apologize, love," Jesse said with a soft smile, placing his free hand on her shoulder. "Granted, at first, we were a little miffed for the lack of warning, but overall, we knew what to do when you warned us about looking up extra wards for the Manor all those years ago."
Vixen smiled fondly up at the near, mirror-image of James. "You took my advice," The witch asked, although she knew she didn't need to as she looked between the pair.
They bobbed their heads smugly. "Obviously." Star said with a wide grin and a silent 'duh' in her tone.
Vixen sniffed the air quickly and the pair were suddenly on guard when Anna's blue eyes returned and Al came into view from the Manor with a shit-eating grin. "Moony's in the bath," he informed them with a laugh and Anna snorted.
"I'm sure he was thrilled, Paws," Anna replied teasingly and the blonde let out an even louder round of laughter in agreement.
"He looked about ready to murder my arse." The wizard said with a wide grin, his silver eyes flashing in amusement and Anna giggled because she didn't doubt for a second that James looked ready to Avada someone.
The werewolf hated baths with a passion.
Star let out a giggle. "I'm sure the three of you will need one once the night is out, be safe, both of you."
Anna smiled at the witch. "No need to worry, love. We'll be fine, it's not the first time we've dealt with James. If anyone can keep him in control it would be me, Al and Weaver."
Jesse snorted a laugh. "I don't doubt that, love." The wizard said fondly before he turned to Al curiously. "Say, son, what is your Animagus form?"
The blonde out a wince as though Jesse had just burnt him and Anna giggled, placing a hand on his shoulder after she holstered her wand. "They saw Pads, Thorn and I shift already, they know about the rest of the Lot too and our reasons for becoming Animagi. You can show them, they won't tell."
Al nodded with a soft smile to the witch before he backed away and shifted. Star simply stared at the large black panther with wide green eyes.
Jesse, however, attempted to stifle a laugh. "At least now the nickname makes more sense." The wizard commented as he gestured to the pathers massive paws.
Anna snorted. "Actually, he got that nickname simply because the first part of him to shift were his paws. He was stuck with them for about an hour when we were training one day."
Paws shifted back with a hiss of offence and Anna giggled at the pinched look Al threw her way. "It wasn't an hour, Hopper, twenty minutes at most."
Anna giggled. "Tell that to Red." She teased and he let out a proper growl
"I'll be having a little chat with my princess then." He grumbled under his breath and Anna snorted, shaking her head in exasperation.
December 31st, 1993
Summer Manor - Main Drawing Room
The Summer Manor was full of festive cheer, the entire Mischiefous Lot along with their family members were gathered in the large Manor for a night full of fun to celebrate the end of the year. Even James was in high spirits, even if the full moon had been a few nights prior and he was supposed to be recovering still.
The Summer parents had gone out of their way to make sure the entire Lot and their families were aware of the gathering and, by dinner-time, witches and wizards alike were gathered in the main drawing room of the manor to greet one another happily.
No one was more surprised, or presently confused, than most of the Lot when most of the older witches in the room squealed in excitement and greeted one another in tight embraces.
"Merlin! I didn't know Thomas had such a big gang of little misfits to put up with his shit!" A blonde witch exclaimed with a loud laugh as she and an auburn-haired witch, Clover's mother, embraced tightly, her rusty blonde hair was pulled back in a plait and her midnight blue evening gown was a lovely shimmery satin. Clover's mother, Daisy, was wearing a modest golden evening gown and her long auburn hair was pulled back in a golden ribbon that brought out the amber colour of her eyes.
Thomas looked up at his mother in sheer confusion. "Mum? You know this witch?"
The witch scoffed incredulously. "Know the witch?" She mumbled under her breath in annoyance. "I bloody well grew up with half of the witches and wizards in this bloody room, you little rascal. I've never forgotten my best mates."
Vixen was beaming from ear to ear in Anna's mind, practically shaking with giddy excitement. Merlin, I missed you so much, Lacey! She was damn near screaming in the witches head.
The blonde witches gaze drifted to the other witches and wizards in the room, drifting over Anna before her gaze settled on James with a fond smile before chocolate eyes went wide and her gaze snapped back to Anna in bewildered confusion, her entire posture freezing.
"Vixen?" She briefly heard the witch whisper aloud as she stared at Anna, whose eyes flashed violet with a bright grin.
Anna marched right up to the older witch with a bright grin and flashing violet eyes, that returned to ocean blue when she finally reached the witch, extending her hand to the witch cheerfully, who stared at her hand in bewildered confusion. "Hello, ma'am. My name is Tassiyanna Cloud, I'm a friend of Tommy's. You can call me Anna."
Thomas snorted from off to the side. "Don't be so stiff, Hopper. My Mum won't bite you."
Anna and Lacey both turned to shoot the boy a pinched look, although Anna's eyes flashed violet in a warning and a soft growl escaped her throat for him not to push his luck and he snorted another laugh, holding his hands up in silent surrender.
Cecilia, Irys' mother, was quick to approach Lacey from behind and place a hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Relax, Lace, it's really her." She whispered with a soft giggle in the witches ear as Lacey continued to stare at Anna's hand. "Shake her hand, Lace, you're staring."
Lacey shook her head quickly and took Anna's hand with a bright grin that made the younger witch return it cheerfully. Merlin, Thomas really did look like his mother.
I told you, Hopps. Vixen said in her mind fondly as she watched Lacey's reaction.
Violet eyes replaced ocean blue as Vixen shook Lacey's hand with a soft smile. "Hello, Lace." She whispered fondly with a wink and Lacey nearly burst into tears, hugging the witch tightly without shame, as Vixen had expected as she pretended to awkwardly hug the witch back with an awkward pat on the blonde witches back as violet eyes met James's grassy green eyes in the crowd. "I missed you too, love," Vixen whispered in Lacey's ear. "I'll explain everything soon, yeah?" The witch nodded quickly into the crook of her neck before Lacey pulled away quickly with a looked of shocked surprise.
"I'm so sorry, dear! I don't know what came over me!" Lacey apologized loudly to the odd stares she was receiving from the others in the drawing-room, save for the witches who recognised Vixen in Anna's smaller form, all were looking to Cecilia and Isabelle, Mia's mother, for an explanation, that was waved off with a silent promised that everything would be explained later on.
Clover's mother, Daisy, approached Anna and the witch had to stifle a giggle when the auburn-haired witch pushed Lacey out of the way to stare at Anna with wide frame amber eyes.
"There's pudding on the table in the dining room, you Lot!" Star announced cheerfully, clapping her hands together to divert from the tense situation that had fallen over the drawing-room and Anna met James's eye with a brief nod before the werewolf clapped his hands together cheerfully and dragged Al and Thomas away, who quickly grabbed Weaver and Mia as the werewolf dragged the four of them away.
The rest of the Lot followed behind quickly.
"I'll be there in a moment, love!" Anna called to Jane's from over her shoulder.
"Take your time, Anna!" James called back as he vanished around the corner with the rest of the Lot in tow.
"Dean, love, give us witches a moment, would you?" Cecilia said to her husband fondly as her husband stared at Anna in wide-eyed confusion.
He nodded and clapped Liam, Clover's father, on the back, steering the rest of the older wizards from the drawing-room into the parlour where Jesse was leading them for a much-needed drink.
"The library is open to us sophisticated witches while the wizards have a drink," Star said cheerfully as she and Anna shared a brief nod. The rest of the older witches in the room nodded and followed behind as Star and Anna led them to the library.
The moment the library door closed behind the final witch, Star quickly flicked her wand to the door to put up some wards, adding a strong Silencing Charm, just in case of eavesdroppers.
"What the fuck is going on?!" Daisy demanded the moment the wards were up.
A snort from the sofa made all the older witches turn to where Anna was sitting with her feet crossed at the ankles, her hands gently gripping the skirt of her pastel yellow silk evening gown that Lina had made for her as a Christmas gift, bright violet eyes were on Daisy.
"Haven't I always told you to watch your foul language in the presence of younger students, Daisy?"
The witches gasped loudly.
"It really is you, isn't it?" Lacey asked with wide chocolate eyes.
Vixen nodded curtly. "Of course, love. Now, I understand that there are a lot of bloody questions, the first of which I'll explain simply. Anna and I share a body, that is easier said simply rather than explained since I don't really know how to begin explaining it, to begin with."
"How?!" Daisy demanded loudly, shoving the thick frames of her glasses up the bridge of her nose and Star sighed from the fireplace. "Y-You died! We looked everywhere for you and Mia! For months!"
Vixen grinned and shrugged. "Time-Turner, actually. So, you all know that I can't say much more on the matter." She explained simply and all the witches stared at her before they slowly nodded. "Don't ask how or why because, even to this day, I still have no bloody idea why."
"So, it really is you?" Isabelle asked curiously, her hands nervously playing with the skirt of her soft pink evening gown.
Vixen smiled fondly at the witch and nodded curtly. "Yes, Bella, it really is me. You all look lovely, by the way."
The witch gasped at the age-old nickname bestowed upon her by the violet-eyed witch in front of her.
Cecilia squealed happily, dancing in place. "I fucking knew it! I bloody knew it!"
Vixen snorted a laugh. "Cel, last time we saw one another, Anna was twelve, oh, which reminds me, well gladly join you next summer for another trip around the Caribbean. We're due for a bloody vacation. The gift Irys gave us was lovely, by the way, although, I distinctly remember another gift that I received from her mirror image. You. The scale model before was built after Regulus and I married. I'm honoured that you named it after me. I never got the chance to tell you that." Vixen said fondly.
"And Anna?" Daisy asked curiously.
Ocean eyes returned with a fond smile. "I'm still here, and I understand the confusion if you have it. Vixen has told me that in her timeline, her eyes would flash ocean blue, am I correct?"
The witches bobbed their heads in confirmation.
"That would've been me showing myself to you, my eyes flash violet in this timeline when Vixen comes to the surface," Anna explained fondly.
"She's telling the truth, ladies." Another voice said from the corner and Anna smiled fondly at Minerva, Pomona and Rolanda, who had managed to sway Dumbledore to allow them from the castle to celebrate the festivities with them.
"I appreciate the faith in me, Mum," Anna said fondly and Pomona gasped loudly.
"Vixen Potter?" The plump witch squeaked and violet eyes resumed place instead of Anna's ocean ones.
"Hello, Pomona, I apologize for Weaver and James's tardiness a few weeks back. You see, the three of us, or well, the four of us decided to play a little prank on the Weasley Twins. It was brilliant, for those who want to know how the prank went, it also didn't help that the terrain was slippery on our way to the Greenhouses."
Pomona let out a soft laugh with tears in her eyes. "Merlin, it really is you, Miss Potter."
Vixen smiled softly before she turned violet eyes on Rolanda with a smirk. "You owe me 5 Galleons, Rolanda. I told you it would be a boy, let alone the fact that you would conceive a child at all."
The hawk-like eyed witch began laughing loudly and shook her head in exasperation. "It's lovely to see you again, dear."
Vixen smiled before she regarded the witches in the room as a whole. "You all did wonderfully in raising your children, just as I had asked."
A knock at the library door made the witches fall silent. "Mum?" A small voice asked and Vixen smiled softly, her eyes falling on the witch who looked so much like Star.
"Your daughter is too precious, Mrs Stebbins and you did well in raising your son. I apologize that I never had the chance to properly acquaint myself with you at Hogwarts in the 70s. My name is Vixen Potter."
The witch let out a breath, she hadn't been aware of holding before she bowed her head. "Peter talks about his friends from Hogwarts all the time, I take it, you're the one who introduced my boy to Irys."
Vixen let out a giggle and shrugged before she placed a slender finger to her lips as she thought about it. "Indirectly, I suppose, but yes. They do make quite a good match and I know that Irys will treat your son well. She's rather taken with him."
"Tulip, go and see what Summer needs. I'm sure she'll knock again in a few minutes when she doesn't receive a reply." Star said to her little sister fondly, placing a hand on the witches shoulder.
Tulip sighed with a soft giggle. "I suppose you're right, love. I'll be back in a moment, I'll knock twice when I return."
Star nodded and allowed the witch to leave the library where her young daughter was standing outside the library with a bright grin.
"Mum!" Summer exclaimed happily. "Pete says the last piece of treacle tart is for you." The little witch said happily and Tulip let out a soft huff of laughter as the door closed behind them.
"Thank you, dear. Is your brother behaving?" Tulip's voice asked through the door as Star put up her wards once more.
"I caught him snogging in the corner with Iry!" Summer exclaimed in a scandalous voice and Tulip snorted a laugh.
"And you interrupted them?" Tulip asked as their voices faded down the corridor and Vixen let out a loud laugh.
"Merlin, she looks just as I remember, cousin." The witch said fondly to Star.
Star let out a soft snort of laughter "Just as mischievous as she's always been too, dear cousin."
Vixen let out a barking laugh. "I don't doubt that for a second."
"Who else knows about you, Vix? In the family, I mean?" Lacey asked as she took a seat next to her age-old best friend.
Vixen smiled fondly. "James and Jesse, not to mention, Minnie," she said as she gestured to the older witch, who nodded curtly with a soft smile. "And Star." She finished, gesturing curtly ti the blonde witch. "It's important that no one else finds out until I deem it time, my fellow witches. My existence needs to remain a secret until then. Time can be dangerous if meddled with."
The witches all nodded curtly.
"Now," Vixen said cheerfully as she stood, clasping her hands together. "What does a fucking witch need to do to get a proper bloody hug from her best mates?"
"Miss Potter!" Minerva hissed and Vixen grinned at her innocently. "Language!"
Immediately, Vixen was encased by Lacey, Cecilia, Daisy and Isabelle.
"Merlin, we missed you so fucking much, Vix," Daisy whispered into the witch's long mane of blackberry curls.
"I missed you girls too, Daisy." The witch mumbled as tears stung in her eyes, hugging the witches tightly.
The witches all pulled away after a moment longer before Lacey shoved all the witches aside and enveloped the witch single-handedly in a bear-like grip with a wail.
"My best friend is alive!" She wailed into the witches shoulder, who snorted a laugh when she saw Cecilia pass a Galleon to a smug Isabelle.
"She held off longer than I thought she would." She heard Cecilia grumble bitterly and Isabelle snorted.
Vixen patted the wailing witches back consolingly. "I missed you too, you bloody menace.: Vixen said fondly in her ear.
This only made Lacey wail all the more as she buried her face into the witches shoulder, sobbing heavily.
Vixen giggled. "If you smear makeup on my bloody dress, Lace, I will bite you."
Lacey let out a gurgled laugh into her shoulder. "I know you will, Vix. Fuck, I missed you too much." The witch said as she pulled away and everyone, mostly the younger Gryffindor witches in the room, stifled their giggles at the smeared makeup running down Lacey's beautiful face.
"I missed you too, love," Vixen said fondly before she reached for her wand. "Here, I'll fix your makeup for you." She tapped the witches forehead with her wand and made a Mirror Charm appear in the palm of her hand to show the witch her leaked makeup returning to place, with a few added charms to hide Lacey's, now bloodshot, chocolate eyes. "There," Vixen said fondly with a thoughtful smile. "All better. I'm sorry about Evan, by the way."
The witch sighed and shook her head solemnly. "We all knew it was coming, Vix."
Vixen sighed and placed a hand on Lacey's shoulder. "I know, love. You didn't deserve that, brother or not. I'm glad you were the good one of the bunch."
Lacey snorted. "Always have been and I teach my son the same."
Vixen beamed brightly. "I'm aware, he's just as mischievous as you always have been. What about your husband?"
Lacey grumbled bitterly. "He got called away on Ministry business for the evening, bloody rubbish in my opinion, but he does as he pleases."
Vixen let out a loud laugh. "Muggle-born?"
Lacey snorted a laugh and nodded. "Merely to piss off my mum, if anything. Eventually, she got over it when he and I popped out Thomas."
Vixen stared in astonishment. "Merlin, really? I thought she would've Avada'd you."
The blonde snorted and nodded. "She nearly well did, but she loves her grandson. He's always been a handful, she adores him though. She's on the side of the Light now, ever since Evan died."
"Good, as she should be," Vixen said before she smirked. "How long did you and Simon keep in touch after I left?"
Lacey turned an interesting shade of crimson, shooting a glare to the other Gryffindor witches who all laughed loudly at the obvious jab.
"They stayed in touch for a couple of months after you left, not that we didn't need to keep the Firewhiskey away from them after you vanished," Daisy said smugly.
"Shut up, Daisy!" Lacey hissed and Vixen snorted.
"You've always had an issue with Firewhiskey, Lace, which reminds me, your son seems to follow in your footsteps."
Lacey sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in irritation. "I'm aware of his escapades, Vix. So, I water down the Firewhiskey in my personal cabinet and keep the more potent ones hidden where he'll never find them."
Vixen let out a loud barking laugh at the revelation. "I don't doubt that, Lace. Although, try not to hide them in your underwear drawer anymore."
Lacey stared, the underside of her left eye twitching. "He found it, didn't he?"
Vixen sighed. "Unfortunately, snuck a bloody bottle over during the summer."
Daisy and Cecilia laughed loudly.
"That explains why Irys spent the night here," Cecilia said fondly.
Vixen smiled thoughtfully. "Yes, just don't tell her I said anything. I can't be accused of playing favourites."
Cecilia grinned brightly, bowing her head curtly. "Witches honour."
"Now, why don't we return to the festivities?" Vixen said fondly before violet eyes faded to ocean blue and Anna dusted the skirt of her gown.
"But remember," she said sweetly with a wink, a slender finger over her lips. "I'm still Anna outside this room."
The witches all grinned happily.
Hello, loves! I'm so sorry that it took so long for me to update this story, it's not over! Far from it actually! I promise! I've just been so busy lately with everything going on and Covid doesn't help matters much lately either, not to mention a few family issues that I've been trying to sort out. This chapter I've been writing on and off for the past year, writer's block is fun, don't you think?
Anyways, I'm off and I can't wait to bring you all the next chapter! See you all soon!
