Hello hello!

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I'm going to try to update this and Dalliance as often as I can, so hopefully the muse cooperates and allows me to do just that. I really hope you all enjoy this chapter xxx

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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, and only the story line and any OC's belong to me.

This chapter is dedicated to habababa because the edit that she made for me yesterday was just the sweetest thing and I was NOT expecting that. Thank you again for that darling xxx

Thursday, December 25th, 1975

Christmas Day

Potter Manor

A fresh, fluffy blanket of snow covered the grounds, the air was chilly, yet there was a sparkle, a joyous feel in the air.

Tucked away in the warmth by the hearth, drinking elf wine, butterbeer and Firewhisky (only Charlus, Dorea and Hope were partaking in a glass or two) was a mirthful group of wix.

Marlene had left late last night to spend the rest of the Holidays with her family; before she left she asked Sirius if he wasn't going to go home as well, but he'd scoffed and proclaimed loudly that there was "no bloody way I'm spending the holidays in that dreadful place." The blonde had merely kissed her boyfriend and headed up to her room to gather her belongings. The Lupins however had all stayed and were spending the rest of the Holidays at Potter Manor.

Gifts had already been exchanged, thanks and praise exclaimed and shared. Sirius was the most surprised, since he had made his best effort (being pushed to by Hermione) to send a gift for Regulus, and the crack of dawn a graceful owl had swooped in with a neat package for the young Black. Sirius couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the well crafted pair of dragonhide gloves; he'd sent Regulus some astronomy books and some broom polish since he knew how much his brother loved the stars.

Dorea was proudly wearing the pair of emerald earrings her four children had chipped in to buy for her, and the Marauders also given her a framed picture of Remus, Sirius, James, Draco and Hermione (Peter had been the one to take the picture). Charlus had preened over the rare seeds Draco had given him, and the new gardening tools his other children had bestowed upon him.

The Potter siblings separately gave their parents another frame with a picture of the three of them.

Hermione had snort laughed when she gave James his gag gift, a reindeer costume with a bright red nose, only to reveal his real gift, a simple silver ring with 'James "Prongs" Potter' engraved on the inside and a pair of delicate antler engraved on the outside.

Hermione gave Sirius a leather jacket, and the raven haired boy did a backflip upon receiving it; immediately shrugging it on, and goofily posing.

Remus and Hermione exchanged gifts and she gave him a leather bound journal and a book of poems by Hemmingway, only for him to 'outdo' her as she put it with a pout when he gave her a book of his own handwritten poems. She had snuggled into his side, placing a soft kiss on his cheek in thanks.

Hermione had given Draco a silver chain with a dragon pendant on it, the serpent seemed to slither across his skin when he put it on, the emerald eye appeared to be blinking at him—along its body are the words "Courage and Craft," the Potter family motto. He was silent when he received it, but his burning gaze had not left Hermione since.

Hermione was entirely grateful that she had access to the Potter vault otherwise she probably wouldn't have been able to afford all her gifts.

Draco had grinned madly when he told them that he'd found out that The Who were going on their second tour next year, and he promised to get them tickets to go see them live when he could (they'd released their tour dates and where they were going to be, and he was pretty sure the best show for them to go to was the one in Glasgow). James was so excited he tackled Draco to the ground, hugging him tightly.

The rest of the day languidly passed by, all of them getting lost in each other's company and revelling in the moment. There was no worry of what was to come, no apprehension or trepidation about their future, simply mirth and laughter.

Wednesday, December 31st, 1975

New Year's Eve

Potter Manor

The cold stung his cheeks, biting at his nose and his exposed fingers. Snow was gently cascading from the inky sky, white powder caught in his raven tresses.

The wizard scrunched up his nose, sniffing hard. His grey eyes glanced to his left and he noted that his sandy haired companion hadn't gone back to join the others quite yet. He brought his fag back up to his lips, taking a long deep drag—the smoke flooding his inside before he slowly blew it out.

He absently kicked a pebble in front of him, staring with amusement at the merry sight before him. The flames of the bonfire they had built dancing across his grey orbs.

"Five minutes till midnight!" Sirius yelled merrily, taking a swig from the bottle of Firewhisky that he had nicked from the kitchen.

"You not going to ready yourself to kiss your witch?" The wizard asked the werewolf, a teasing lilt to his voice.

Remus grinned absentmindedly, taking a drag from his own cigarette. Smoke billowed out of his mouth as he responded, "I'll go over in a minute."

James swore loudly when Sirius stumbled forward and splashed Firewhisky all across James's front—the amber liquid soaking straight through his white shirt, causing it to stick to his skin like glue—he did however, manage to catch himself in the nick of time. Sirius stared at James silently for a moment before shrugging, "sorry, mate." He then proceeded to walk around the fire towards where Hermione was perched on one of the logs surrounded their handmade firepit.

Sirius, however, didn't make it to the witch because James tackled him to the ground. Which of course resulted in playful roughhousing that was all too common between the two wizards.

Draco and Remus sighed simultaneously at the petulant behaviour, both thoroughly enjoying the free entertainment.

"Think we should break it up?" Remus asked, tilting his head at the two boys.

"Nah," Draco responded, bringing his cigarette up to his lips again.

Suddenly a thought occurred to him, what time is it?

Draco looked over at Hermione who had grown tired of her mates fighting and was now yanking on James's arm trying to drag him off of Sirius.

He shook his left wrist, his nose itched but he ignored that, peering in the dim light at his watch face. "Oi!" Draco yelled, leaning across and knocking Remus with his elbow, "it's about a minute to midnight, go kiss your witch!"

Remus's eyes widened, and Hermione froze in her efforts to maintain some order and peace. She glared at the two wizards before releasing James, sidestepping them and heading in their direction—Remus was already making his way over to Hermione.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Remus reached Hermione, dropping his fag on the ground and grinding it into the dirt with ball of his foot—the sound of the snow crunching under his shoe filling Draco's ears.

Two.

One.

"Prongs get off me!" Sirius whinged, trying to escape his friends grasp. James was currently taking the piss and peppering Sirius's face with chaste kisses.

Hermione and Remus had both been distracted by the outburst, both rolling their eyes affectionately.

It was past midnight. Draco's heart fluttered in his chest for a moment, and a deep frown soon marred his features.

He brought his cigarette back up to his lips as he watched Remus claim Hermione's lips.

Happy New Year, Draco thought as he tipped his face to the stars. Blowing the smoke out of his nostrils. The bonfire's flames crackling in his ear. I wonder what this year has in store for us.