Other than Halloween, Christmas was Teddie's favourite holiday of the year. On Christmas she was allowed to upturn her entire house and decorate it with tinsel, baubles, lights, and a tree to make it a little more joyful and festive. The tradition had even continued after she went to Hogwarts.

In her first year she had witnessed Hagrid, the gamekeeper lugging two massive trees up the castle and displaying them in the Great Hall for Professor Flitwick to decorate using his Charms knowledge. Upon asking, she had acquired permission to decorate the tree — much to his surprise as Students normally didn't want to get involved — and every year since she and her friends would help out.

This year was going to be no different. Despite the fact that they were in lockdown, Teddie still wanted to maintain some normalcy in hers and Mason's life, and after the incident that was her birthday she felt that she had to make it up to her brother somehow.

In retrospect, she didn't remember the Halloween incident at all. It was just like her first year at Hogwarts, where she had beaten up Draco Malfoy after her had made fun of her for being poor and bad-mouthed her brother for being a Muggle. She had seen red and just lunged for him, her memory of the day was clouded as she could remember crashing into him, but not beating the crap out of him until Professor Snape had pulled her off.

The same went for Halloween. She could remember sitting in the conservatory with Caroline, she could remember pacing and getting angrier and angrier about Avery… and then nothing. The next thing she remembered was Theo standing in front of her holding her hands between his own, and then he had kissed her.

Teddie smiled bashfully at the memory.

"What you smiling at?" Marcus asked, dropping an unopened box beside the sofa.

"Nothing," said Teddie, shaking her head. She turned to her friend. "Is that the last box?"

"Nope. Mason and Theo are coming with the last two," said Marcus. He squatted down and turned the box to face him, allowing him to read the label on the side. "These are for the tree. You sure you don't want me to get -"

"Nope. I want to do this," Teddie interrupted. "I used to do it all the time at home and at school. I want to continue to do it now."

Marcus shrugged. "Why not," he said. He knew better than to argue. "You going to tell me why you were smiling like an idiot?"

"I told you; it was nothing."

"Huh-uh. You sure it weren't because of what happened?"

Teddie rolled her eyes. She hated how he was able to read her. "I was hiding my true feelings for so long because I didn't know if he felt the same way," she said.

"Are you kidding me? Theo has been in love with you for years," said Marcus. "Everyone could see that."

"Everyone except me."

"Well, love is blind to everyone but those in love."

Teddie shook her head. "I didn't even know I was in love with him until I was fifteen," she admitted. "I just knew that I loved him since long before that."

"We don't all know until we're ready," said Marcus. "Mum said she didn't fall in love with Dad until her seventh year."

"But didn't they get married straight out of school?"

Marcus nodded.

"Whoa."

Marcus chuckled and pulled her into a side hug. "Point is, you and Theo were meant for each other," he said. "Everyone could see it from the get-go. So don't feel guilty for not admitting it until you were sure."

"Thanks, Marcus," said Teddie, resting her head on his shoulder.

Marcus pressed a kiss to the top of her head. The pair separated as the door opened letting Mason and Theo into the room. They dumped the last of the decorations on the floor and turned to face their friends.

"Where do we get started?" Theo asked.

"We should leave the tree until last," said Mason. "I also call dibs on the star."

Teddie smiled. Mason always loved putting the star on the tree. He had done it ever since he was hold enough to understand how to slot it into place, and she was usually always the person that held up him to do it. Granted, now at sixteen, she would admit that she'd struggle to hold him, especially since he was almost as tall as her.

"That's fine," said Marcus. "Maybe we should clear the ornaments out before deciding what goes where? I haven't really seen this place decorated for Christmas, we only come here during the summer months."

Teddie looked around the room. "Let's make it a game," she suggested. "First one to clear their area gets to decide what to hang first."

Mason grinned. "I call dibs on the conservatory," he announced, rushing off before anyone could stop him.

"I got the dining room," said Marcus. He, too, disappeared.

Teddie turned to Theo. "Do you want the living room or the ball room?" she asked.

"I'll take the living room," Theo said, looking around. He eyed the mantlepiece where most photos and ornaments were sitting.

"Okay. I got the ballroom."

"Clocks ticking," Mason called.

Teddie chuckled and left the room.

Unlike at Flint Manor in England, the ballroom at the summer house was a lot smaller and didn't really have many ornaments that she could remove and pack away. Instead she stood in the middle of the room, gazing up at the chandeliers imagining what they would look like with tinsel and garlands hanging from them.

The only issue she would have, now that she thought about it, was getting up there to hang the decorations. Having magic and house elves to do the decorations meant that they could decorate the ballroom — and the house — in no time at all, but she was eager to do it her way.

Suppose I could conjure a ladder, Teddie thought, tapping her lips with her finger. She looked around the room, trying to see if there was something she could use that would get her up to the chandelier, but none of the chairs and stools around the room were tall enough. She wasn't stupid enough to stack them on top of each other — okay, maybe she was, but she knew that Mo and Ursula would not be impressed if she broke her neck while decorating.

Maybe a little magic was essential? Teddie pursed her lips and was still considering the chandelier when the door opened, and Mason snuck a peek inside.

"No fair! There's nothing to clear in here," Mason whined.

Teddie jumped and whipped around, hand to her heart. She had been so caught up in her thoughts she had heard him until he spoke. "Forget Avery, you'll kill me before she gets a chance," she said.

"Sorry. Payback, I suppose."

"You know that wasn't me," Teddie pouted.

Mason shook his head and hugged her. "I'm sorry," he apologised. After they had told her what Faye had done to him, she had felt incredibly guilty and refused to me around him unless someone else was present for a long time. It wasn't until Mason had come to her during the night, when everyone else was still asleep, did Teddie start trusting herself around her brother again.

"Did you beat the others in cleaning?" Teddie asked.

"Yeah."

"Good. We'll tell them you won."

Mason looked up. "Really?" he asked, reminding her of the youngster that he used to be. The same one that she allowed to get away with everything just because he was her younger sibling.

Teddie nodded. "Yep. Do you have an idea on what you want to start with?" she asked.

"I have an idea for the conservatory," said Mason.

"Then show me."

With a grin, Mason seized Teddie's hand and pulled her from the room.

~X~

Three days before Christmas, Teddie, Mason, and Theo received a surprise that they had not been expecting. They were sitting in the living room, under the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree and discussing possible presents they wanted for Christmas, when the door opened, and a stream of people tumbled inside.

Teddie, Theo, and Mason jumped from their places and dashed across the room, throwing their arms around their respective friends. As they separated, they rotated and hugged the others until everyone had been thoroughly hugged in return.

"What are you guys doing here?" Mason asked.

"We were supposed to come for Halloween," said Tori. "But Mo said there was a change of last-minute plans. Is everything okay?"

Teddie lowered her gaze. "There was an incident where I blacked out," she admitted. "We've sorted it now, but I wasn't in the celebratory mood after. Mo and Ursula said they would reschedule, but it took me a while to deal with what happened."

"Are you okay now?" Blaise asked, concerned.

Teddie shrugged. "Somewhat, yeah," she said. "We're just trying to figure out what it meant and how to make it happen again."

"You want to make it happen again?" Daphne asked.

"Not the exact same way," said Theo. "Mo and Caroline want to create what happened, but under more safer conditions. We learned quite a bit about the alternate plane between Teddie and Faye that day."

Teddie nodded; her gaze still low.

"Hey, this is Christmas," said Tori. "We're here to celebrate with each other and catch up on what we've missed while apart. Not dwell on what's happening back home."

"She's right," said Derrick. He turned to Teddie. "There is someone coming tomorrow that can't wait to see you again."

"Again?" Teddie questioned.

Derrick grinned. "I've been sworn to secrecy," he admitted. "I'm not allowed to say who it is, just that they're hoping you'll enjoy it. They've missed you; you know?"

Teddie furrowed her brow and cocked her head. Who had she met before that she would miss more than her friends?

"This places looks amazing," said Adrian, taking in the living room. "Let me guess, you did it without magic?"

"Of course!"

Derrick smiled and slung an arm around Teddie. "Have you been outside yet?" he asked.

"No, why?"

Steering Teddie over to the window, Derrick pulled back the curtains and waved his arms at the glass. Beyond the pane thick flakes of snow were dancing down from the skies, they weren't sticking yet, but from the looks of things it wouldn't be long before the whole area was covered in snow.

"Mason, get over here!" Teddie called.

Rushing over, Mason gasped. "Can we play in the snow soon?" he asked. "Make a snowman? Ooh! Snowball fight!"

"It's tradition, right?" Teddie asked.

"Yeah!"

"So, of course we're gonna do it!"

Mason grinned and hugged Teddie tightly around the middle.

The door opened for a second time, and Ursula stuck her head inside. "Good, you're all here," she said, smiling brightly. "I have a proposition for you. While taking precautions, how do you all feel about going Christmas shopping in the town?"

"I thought it was too dangerous to go outside?" Marcus asked.

"Normally we would say it is," said Ursula. "But, Mo and I talked and as long as you all agree to stick to the rules, and not to try and evade the protection detail, you can spend a couple of hours getting presents. Plus, it will give you some fresh air and time away from the house. What do you say?"

The group shared a look. The desire to go outside, beyond the barrier that protecting the summer house had been strong for most of the year. Now they were getting a chance to do it, and all they had to do was promise to listen to Johnathan and his team.

Teddie looked down at Mason. His eyes were wide and excited as they met her own. She smiled and squeezed him to her, before looking back up at Ursula. "We promise," she said.

Ursula smiled.

"When do we leave?" Theo asked.

"As soon as you're ready."

As the others filed out of the room, dispersing to their rooms to get ready for the walk into town, Ursula stopped Teddie at the door.

"Is there a problem?" Teddie asked. "I already promised to listen to Johnathan."

"I know you did," said Ursula. "This isn't about that. Cruise has asked me to inform you that, while this trip is for a bit of fun and fresh air, he would like you to know that you can't all go in one big group. Once you get into town you will need to split into groups, one Auror per group, as not to draw attention to yourselves."

Teddie looked thoughtful and then nodded. "Because no one is going to question one or two children and an adult, but would a group of kids and four adults," she said.

"Exactly. Pick your partners before you go."

"I'll stick with Mason and Theo," said Teddie. "They're part of the reason I have a protection detail, it will make more sense if we stick together. Are Darla and David here?"

"They are," Ursula nodded. "They will be accompanying you into town. Darla can't wait to see you."

Teddie smiled. She loved Darla Greengrass and couldn't wait to see her either, but was she the person that Derrick had mentioned? If so, why did he say they would be arriving tomorrow if they were already here?

~X~

"Anything can be used as a sled," said Mason, dragging a square of cardboard to the top of the hill. He set it down near the edge and jumped on. Glancing back at Astoria, he held out his hand and helped her get settled behind him.

"Hold on tight, Tor," said Teddie.

Astoria looped her arms around Mason's waist and pulled herself closer, her legs split either side of him. Her face was tinged pink from the cold air, and she was smothered in a large puffer jacket, scarf, gloves, and a bobble hat.

"Mason, aim for the barrier this time, please," said Teddie. "I don't need to be chasing you towards the pool."

Mason and Astoria giggled. This was Mason's second time down the hill, last time he had missed the snow mound at the bottom - the others had created it to stop their descent - and had gone skidding across the pool on the far side of the garden. It had taken the combined efforts of Marcus, Derrick, and Teddie to drag him back.

While Mason and Astoria pushed off from the edge, their whoops and cheers echoing back as they slid further down the hill, Teddie turned to her friends. They all had a large square of cardboard and were deciding who were each other's partners.

"I am not going alone," said Adrian, looking at Derrick and Marcus. He was the only pureblood that didn't have a partner, and Teddie could understand his concerns of trying something unfamiliar was nerve-wracking.

"Here," said Teddie. "How about you come down once with me and see how it is? I can always come back up and come down with Theo."

"You'd do that?" Adrian asked.

Teddie nodded. "You lot helped me on a broomstick when I was scared," she said, "This is similar, except we're not in the air."

Adrian turned to Theo. "Would you mind?" he asked.

Theo shook his head. He had already done sledging before, and while he was willing to go by himself, the idea of Teddie clinging to him was enough to make his heart stutter. Not much had changed between them since they had admitted their true feelings to one another, but their desires to be near one another was a lot different to how it had been before.

Theo couldn't speak for Teddie, but he knew for him being close to her was better than being a part. He loved Teddie dearly, as a friend and more, and while they hadn't talked about being boyfriend or girlfriend, he knew that he still had her. That was better than nothing to him.

"Come on, Blaise," said Daphne. "Let's give this a shot."

Teddie held the back end of their square while the pair got set up. Blaise sat in front, while Daphne sat behind him. Just like Astoria, Daphne split her legs either side of Blaise and hugged herself to him by wrapping her arms around his waist.

"To go either left or right, you have to lean that way," said Teddie.

"What if we're going to fast?" Blaise asked. "How do we slow down?"

"You don't," said Teddie. "That's what the mound is for. The only other way to stop is to abandon ship, but then you land in the snow anyway."

Daphne looked wide-eyed over her shoulder. "This doesn't sound fun anymore," she said.

"You'll be fine," said Teddie. "Aside from the snow being cold, it's not going to hurt you."

"Yeah, but -"

"Go, go, go!" said Teddie, pushing the cardboard square with her foot. It slipped over the edge, racing past Mason and Astoria as they carefully climbed the hill again.

Daphne and Blaise's yells and laughter echoing back.

"Adrian, we're next," said Teddie.

Adrian gulped and stepped forward. "Is it too late to opt out?" he asked.

"Yes," said Marcus, slapping his friend on the shoulder. "The only way we're getting down this hill is on a sled. So, you either go with Teddie, or you come down on your own."

Teddie grinned. "You're learning," she told Marcus. "I'm so proud."

Marcus rolled his eyes. "Shut up," he chuckled.

~X~

Christmas morning dawned.

Teddie was awoken by Mason jumping on her bed — another Christmas tradition — and was dragged from the warmth and comforts of her blankets by her hand. She barely had time to slip into her slippers and a dressing gown before Mason was herding her out the door.

"Okay, alright, slow down," said Teddie.

"It's Christmas!" said Mason, happily.

Managing to slow Mason down, Teddie descended the stairs carefully and turned off at the end of the hall into the living room. Several others were already awake, including Derrick who looked more worse for wear than anyone. He was still partly asleep as he sat on the sofa, his head resting on his hand and eyes closing. He jumped every time someone prodded him but would drift back within seconds.

"What time did you go to sleep last night?" Teddie asked, sitting down.

Derrick jostled awake and turned to her, bleary eyed. "Did I sleep last night?" he asked.

"Not by the looks of it," said Mason, shaking his head. "What happened? I know we all went to bed late, but I at least did sleep."

"Same," said Teddie.

"I was adding the final preparations to your Christmas present," said Derrick. "His room needed to be cleaned out and set up. I told Ursula and Mo that I would do it before bed, and then promptly forgot."

Teddie furrowed her brow. "My present from you is a person?" she asked.

"Yep."

"And I know this person?"

Derrick nodded. "You've met him once, but you always say you had a blast with him," he said, grinning. "He asks about you every time I see him, and he was eager to be invited this year, especially with everything going on."

Teddie turned to Mason. "Do you have any idea who he is talking about?" she asked.

Mason shrugged. "We've met a lot a people in this world," he said. "It could be a number of them."

Derrick grinned. The fact that he was able to keep Teddie and Mason guessing for this long was an achievement for him, and he knew his present would be more amused than offended that they didn't remember him.

Over an hour later, the whole house was awake and sat in the living room. Ursula and Mo sat on one of two love seats, while Darla and David occupied the other. Marcus, Adrian, and Derrick sat on the three seated sofa, while Teddie, Mason, Blaise, Daphne, Theo, and Astoria took up residence on the floor.

"This one says Astoria," said Ursula, reaching for the present nearest her. She passed it through the throng of children at her feet until it reached the respected recipient.

"Derrick," said David, reaching for a second present.

"Blaise…"

The presents were quickly passed out to the names on the cards, until everyone had at least one gift to open.

Tearing into the wrapping paper, Teddie found a box sitting in her lap. There was no pictures or information on the front, so she wasn't entirely sure what she had been given, or who it was from, and that only made her curiosity spike even more.

Carefully opening the lip, Teddie peered inside, and a smile curved its way onto her face as she pulled out a leather-bound book with her name on the front. The name was written in intricate letters and seemed to glimmer when she brushed her fingers over it.

"What's this?" Teddie asked, looking around.

"Open it," said Mo.

Teddie did, finding a letter on the inside page. It looked like a notebook, but it was also filled with images. She read the inside message, tears forming in her eyes.

"Dearest, Teddie,

We know you've had a hard time the last few years, and we wanted to show you how much you mean to us all. This gift is to show you just that. Be you a friend, a sister, a daughter, or more.

This is your history and, hopefully, over time, become your legacy. Graphic proof that shows no matter how powerful you are, if you set your mind to something, you can really change history.

Love, everyone."

Turning to the next page, Teddie spotted an image of her, and Mason taken their first Christmas at Flint Manor, it was moving, as many pictures in the Wizarding World did, and they were both dressed very handsomely, standing side-by-side at the top of the staircase. She couldn't recall anyone being nearby with a camera, but the fact that there was photographic proof meant that they had been hidden rather well in the crowd.

Next to the image was the date — 24th December 1992 - along with the words: Merry Christmas, Mason, and Teddie. Thank you for choosing to share it with us. Much love, Ursula, and Mo.

A second picture was beneath it, this one was a non-moving image and upon recognising the people within it, made Teddie's heart stutter in her chest. Her parents were smiling back at her, their arms around one another while two children stood before them. The children were no older than eight and four, and it didn't take a genius for Teddie to realise it was her and Mason.

The date next to it was labelled — 01st January 1987. Mason's fourth birthday. There was a message, and while Teddie wondered what her friends could've said to make the fact that her parents were no longer here any better than it actually was, found that after she had read it, she felt a lot of respect to them for at least trying.

Your parents may be gone, but they are always with you. As long as you remember them for who they are, they will always be alive in your heart.

Looking up, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears, Teddie met the gazes of Ursula and Mo Flint. "Thank you," she said, her voice cracking under the strain of her emotions. "I don't know what else to say, this book… it's -"

"You don't have to say anything, Teddie," said Mo, smiling. "This book is a physical representation that anyone can do what they want as long as they are passionate and determined, and it's also a memory of what you mean to everyone, not just the people in this room, but those no longer with us."

"There are images in there of all the people who you made different just because you were a part of their lives, people like us and Cerberus," said Ursula. "I spoke with his family, and while they may have believed that you were responsible for what happened to him, they don't anymore. They told me to wish you a Happy Christmas and were more than happy to contribute to the book."

Teddie dried her tears on the back of her sleeve. "You all talk about the differences I have made in your lives," she said, looking around at everyone present. "But you have no idea the impact you've all made in mine. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for all of you. I can't thank you enough to being there for me."

"We'll always be here for you, Ted," said Daphne, hugging her friend. "We love you. You're family."

The others murmured in agreement.

Teddie smiled fondly at them all and then looked back down at the book. She couldn't wait to look through it all later that evening, but for now she was just happy to be surrounded by people whom she loved and who loved her back.

Just then, the door swung open, and Johnathan Cruise stepped inside, flanked by Melanie as Quinn and Dominic brought up the rear. Between the foursome was a single person. They were dressed in a long black travelling cloak, with a cap that hung down either side of his face, protecting his ears from the cold. He also wore leather gloves and was in the process of removing them while Johnathan addressed the room.

"Sorry for the intrusion," said Johnathan. "Mr Montgomery Bole has arrived, sir."

Teddie perked up at the name, her hear swivelling around to stare at the newcomer. No, it couldn't be, surely? She hadn't seen Uncle Mongoose since her third year of Hogwarts, and while she did remember him fondly, she didn't think he would come all the way to Switzerland just for her.

But, alas, there he stood, the same bright, beaming smile on his face as he took in the room. His gaze then fell to her, and if possible, his smile got bigger.

"Well, hello, Teddie," Uncle Mongoose greeted. "It's been a long time."