Back a bit early. Although chapters will be sporadic for a bit until the springtime for this project.


The Really Long Christmas Chapter.


The first thing I saw when I entered Hogwarts was Peeves fleeing in terror from the direction of Bellatrix's office. Well, that's encouraging. Kreacher gulped when standing by my side.

"Master should lead the way," Kreacher offered.

I said nothing and walked closer towards Bellatrix. Screams got louder and then grew eerily calm. I almost ran into Sirius who came down the corridors.

"She figured it out," Sirius said.

"Yes," I said.

"After you, Lord Black," Sirius said.

Of course, I would be leading the way. Sirius and Kreacher stood on either side of me. They took turns just trying to get behind each other. I knocked on the door of Bellatrix's office. I heard feral growling inside.

"Bellatrix, I'm respecting your privacy by knocking!" I called. "But, I'm asserting my authority as Lord Black by breaking down your door anyway."

I huffed, and puffed, and blew Bellatrix's door down. Well, not literally, but you know. The door swung open. I stepped inside, with Sirius and Kreacher following behind me.

Bellatrix, oh boy, she was laughing, crying, and snarling. Sometimes simultaneously. In hindsight, I think I kind of broke her.

"Bella?" Sirius asked tentatively. "Earth to Bellatrix Lestrange, anyone home?"

Sirius knew better to knock on his cousin's forehead. I had no such qualms. I reached out and lightly tapped my knuckles against Bellatrix's head.

"Deep down, I knew it was a big ask," Bellatrix said in an oddly somber tone. "I wanted it. I dreamed of it. To settle down with the Dark Lord. In our nice house with a picket fence in the suburbs. With two point five children. Not sure how that works out, but maybe we had Siamese twins."

"They prefer to be called Conjoined Twins," I said.

"Yes, and squibs prefer to be called the magically impaired, but no one is going for that one," Bellatrix said. "I supposed it was a dream. That nice house in the suburbs. With two point five children. A nice yard in the front with luscious grass. A nice graveyard in the back to bury our enemies. A torture dungeon in the basement to torture Mudbloods, squibs, and blood tratiors. An observatory in the attic to watch the stars. Sunday dinners as we trade stories about the foes we mangled along the way."

Such big dreams. Bellatrix sighed deeply.

"The Dark Lord…no Riddle, he could never care for anyone. He never did. No one who mangled their soul in such a way, could ever surrender their heart. I was his most faithful. His loyalist, most devoted. If he asked me to jump, I would splatter on the ground before he drew his next breath. I would do anything. I braved Azkaban for him. Ten years. Ten long years. Only kept from losing my will to live with the hope, with the belief, that the Dark Lord would come and reward me for my loyalty. But, he cared little for loyalty, did he? We were all disposable. If he mangled his soul in such a way, he cared little for anyone else, didn't he?"

Bellatrix curled up in her chair and rocked back and forth.

"What a ride," Bellatrix murmured. "I wouldn't recommend it. Tom Marvolo Riddle. A filthy deplorable bastard of a squib, of a self-entitled prick of a Muggle. I read all about Daddy Riddle. He was the Muggle answer to Lucius Malfoy. Looked down his nose at everything. Everything I thought I knew, a lie."

Bellatrix conjured a vase only to blast it into smithereens. Kreacher wordlessly cleaned up the shards she left behind.

"Why did you do it?" Sirius asked.

"For kicks at first," Bellatrix said. "And the need to prove myself. Andromeda was the golden child well until she married that Mudblood, Tim Tonks."

"Ted Tonks," Sirius said.

"Whatever!" Bellatrix snapped. "Anyway, Andromeda ran off with Trevor, and Narcissa, oh she was the most brilliant witch. She got the prime pick, Lucius Malfoy. She was promised to the Malfoys by Daddy Dearest before she bloodied her first tampon. I was Bellatrix. The other Black sister. Always in trouble. Always doing weird things. I had a chance to prove myself. A chance, and I believed in him. I believed in the message he was giving. I'm not sure if any of those feckless fools who cried Imperius believed in him. No, he was a means to secure their power. Malfoy, Nott, Yaxley, Avery, they enjoyed torturing Mudbloods. But, it was just a hobby to them, a means to get more political power. I believed in his cause. I believed he could change the world. I believed he could prevent our pureblood culture from being erased. But, now I doubt he cared about it."

Bellatrix's voice dropped to a whisper.

"He didn't care about me."

Bellatrix's eyes fell on me.

"Have your laugh, Potter," Bellatrix said. "You ruined my life. You did something that Azkaban never did. You broke me."

"I get no joy in this," I told her.

"Don't insult my intelligence, Potter," Bellatrix said. "You have every reason to want to destroy someone like me. I killed people like your dear sainted Mudblood mother. I spilled so much dirty blood in Riddle's name. You should be disgusted. You should put me down like an animal."

"No," I said. "Your punishment is to live with the guilt of what you've done. And my order as the head of the Black Family is to make amends."

"You're not serious," Bellatrix said.

"No, he is," Kreacher said while pointing at Sirius.

Bellatrix, Sirius, and I groaned at the entirely overused pun. Kreacher just smiled and resumed cleaning the remains of Bellatrix's magically induced shit fit.

"You couldn't just bind my magic, wipe my memories of the world, and throw me into Knockturn Alley?" Bellatrix asked. "I'm sure that they would love to have a piece of the notorious Bellatrix Lestrange."

"That wouldn't teach you the lesson I want to teach you," I said.

"And what lesson is that?"

"Dead people don't live to regret their actions," I said.

Bellatrix scoffed in disbelief.

"I'm not redeemable, with all I've done," Bellatrix said. "Don't pull a Dumbledore, Potter."

"Oh, trust me, I know, and I'll be keeping you on a very tight leash," I told her.

Bellatrix shivered in spite of herself.

"The moment the Headmistress finds a competent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, I'm gone," Bellatrix said. "Back to Azkaban. Only this time, there's no comeback. He's not coming for me, is he?"

I just hummed and Bellatrix rolled her eyes.

"I can't believe no one found out about the Horcruxes," Bellatrix said. "There was a Cup in my vault. It belonged to Helga…"

"Hufflepuff, I had Narcissa retrieve it, and I destroyed it along with the other four," I said.

"And there was another who learned of the Dark Lord's plan," Kreacher piped up. "Master Regulus."

Here Bellatrix and Sirius jumped with a start.

"Did Voldemort kill him?" Sirius asked. "Because he found out about the Horcruxes?"

Sirius looked unsettled about what he might learn. But he had to know.

"No, Master Regulus sacrificed himself, to try and make the Dark Lord mortal," Kreacher said, almost choking. "I can still hear his screams, as he told Kreacher to get far away with the locket. Find someone to destroy it."

Kreacher hung his head. There was still some guilt there with not saving his master. The two cousins remained oddly somber.

"Damn," Bellatrix hissed. "Reggie,you were in way over your head. Why didn't you come to me?"

"Because, you were infatuated with him," Kreacher remarked.

"Blood, that's what I fought for," Bellatrix said. "But, deep down, he did not care. He would have slaughtered every single pureblood in his path if it was a means to an end."

Bellatrix slumped in defeat. I reached out but she slid away.

"Enjoy your holidays, Potter," Bellatrix said. "I'm going to sit here. In this dark office. Thinking. Until the Headmistress sends me back to Azkaban. It's only a matter of time. Binns is out, Snape is out, I'm next on the list."

I reached over and took a handful of Floo Powder out before throwing it into the fire.

"Andromeda, I need a word with you!" I called. "I'm in Bellatrix's office at Hogwarts."


"You've lost your bloody mind, Potter!"

"How many times is that this year?" I asked her.

Sirius was still there, questioning my logic. Andromeda looked conflicted, and I can see there was some guilt there with what her sister has become. And Zari had arrived in the office, to check up to see how everything was going. Which was good, because I needed her help.

"Bella, it is Christmas," Andromeda said.

"Which is why I shouldn't be there, ruining for you and your family," Bellatrix said. "Nymphadora and Tad don't need me to ruin their holidays, being such a dour wreck that half of my life was wasted on a lie. Off of a false cause. And you have other guests there who might freak out that Bellatrix Lestrange is there."

"Well, what if Bellatrix Lestrange was not there?" I asked her. "What if you were someone else?"

"At this point, I only can be so lucky," Bellatrix grumbled.

"Zari, what do you think?" I asked her. "Do you think we can make Bellatrix…less Bellatrix?"

"The Muggle studies teacher?" Bellatrix asked. "What can she do?"

"Quiet, I'm working!' Zari said. "Mmm, this could be a tough one. She's still got that fresh out of prison look. But, I can work with this. Change up her hair, change the clothes a little bit, add a little makeup, but not too much it is outlandish, maybe add some stylish jewelry!"

"What are you blathering about?" Bellatrix asked.

Zari took out a pad of paper and a pen and sketched something down.

"Kreacher, retrieve these items for Zari!" I told the elf.

"Yes, young Master," Kreacher said.


"I regret everything."

Bellatrix stood in front of the mirror getting a good look at herself. Her hair was straight and not it's usual unruly mess. Also it had been turned blonde with green highlights and braids. Her teeth were now so blindingly white that Gilderoy Lockhart would even think of it as a bit much. Stylish blue glasses covered her face and a green snake pendant pointed down to the green corset she wore, which showed off her chest and tight abdomen. The slightly ripped form-fitting jeans had been added with multi-colored rainbow tassels. Stylish boots of the highest fashion topped off the outfit. She also had a few bracelets on her.

"Looking good, little sister," Andromeda said.

"It's not me," Bellatrix said. "Too colorful. Not enough black."

"Exactly, it's not you, which is the point," I said to her.

"Pretty hot looking," Zari added. "Just saying."

"Why would Muggles rip a perfectly good pair of jeans just as a fashion statement?" Bellatrix asked.

Everyone in the room just shrugged.

"Don't worry about it," I said. "You're going to be on your best behavior?"

"Well, I know I'll get spanked and put to bed without any supper if I don't," Bellatrix replied as she ran her hands down her body, judging how everything felt against her.. "I do like how the corset makes my tits look. Although they were a bit perkier before Azkaban."

"Right," Andromeda said with a cough.

"Does the Ministry know I'm going on this field trip?" Bellatrix asked.

"Well, their tracker will put you securely in your office at Hogwarts," I told them. "It's best if you don't know how I'm accomplishing this."

"Potter, there's a lot of things about you, where it's best I don't know," Bellatrix said. "Fifty Points from Gryffindor for inviting a deranged convict home for Christmas."

I smiled. At least she had some of her humor still.

"So, remember, you're not Bellatrix, you're Trixie," Sirius said.

"I disemboweled the last person who called me, Trixie," Bellatrix said.

'Which makes it perfect," I told her. "And you're Zari's friend from school, and no magic…"

"Yeah, or zappy, zappy, I know," Bellatrix said before clearing her throat. "Or, rather, the rune bracelet is going to so totally zap me. And that would be so totally like bogus and junk."

Bellatrix's fake valley girl accent was like a cat being thrown in a wood chipper. Which made it one hundred percent amazing.

X


Zari, Bellatrix, sorry Trixie, Andromeda, Sirius, and I all returned to the Tonks Residence. Ginny, Fred, and George had been sitting around the fire.

"Nymphadora's out Christmas shopping with her friends," Andromeda said. "And Ted is…"

"Showing Dad all of his Muggle gadgets in the basement," Ginny offered.

"So, he'll be up here sometime around Easter, "Geroge supplied.

"Of what year, we're not sure," Fred said.

"Oh, Weasleys!" Trixie cried out. "There is like so much ginger."

"Um, hello?" Ginny asked.

"Well, looks like some introductions are in order," I told them. "This is Zari Tarazi, she'll be teaching Muggle studies class at Hogwarts. Zari, this is Fred and George and Ginny.

"A pleasure to meet you all," Zari said.

"Is it true the new Headmistress is making Muggle Studies mandatory for all Purebloods next year?" George asked. "I mean, I don't take that class, Fred does."

"And George decided to take Divination," Fred said. "If only he had the Inner Eye, he could have realized how useless the teacher is."

"Well, never too soon to start thinking about the future," George said. "Although, Trelawney is right bonkers."

I just hummed. Yes, Rowena was not too keen on the entire subject of Divination. You either had the gift or you did not, and there was little to be taught. And even those who have the gift could misinterpret the signs.

"Yes, the Headmistress plans to make Muggle Studies mandatory next year for first years on up" Zari said. "Along with a Magical Studies class for first generation students."

"Oh, well, that's something," Ginny said. "Guess Hogwarts is going to be interesting when I start next year."

"There's going to be a few changes after the holidays, but in general, the big ones aren't going to be starting until the next school year," Zari explained. "I can't say much, but over the next few years, it will be a brand new Hogwarts. I think everyone will be excited about the changes that are going on."

"Well, I can't wait to go there," Ginny said. "Wish I could go now."

Trixie wandered off and started to look around with a wide-eyed expression.

"This is quite the rad pad, Dad," Trixie said in her high pitched voice.

"Um, who is that?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, that's my old college roommate, Trixie Carter," Zari said. "Say hello, Trixie!"

"Hello Trixie!" Trixie said in a bubbly tone.

The trio of Weasleys laughed. Fred and George stopped and looked at her with a very scrunizing look.

"She looks familiar, doesn't she, Fred?" George asked.

"Yeah, she looks a little like one of our Professors," Fred said.

"I don't know guys, she and Professor Flitwick look nothing alike," I said. "Granted, maybe if you squint just a little bit."

Ginny broke out into a fit of giggles and the twins just shook their heads.

"No, my style is like totally original!" Trixie cooed. "There is no one who looks like me. No one. I mean, I don't look like that Bellatrix Lestrange or anything. She's like so drab. So totally square, isn't she? Like so not pizzaz and stuff. She is like the opposite of the what the bomb is!"

Okay, Trixie, laying it on a bit too thick. Fred and George looked at her. Andromeda sighed and Sirius struggled to keep a safe place.

"I mean, if i was like Bellatrix Lestrange, I would so totally jump off the highest tower," Trixie said. "Can you believe that total spaz? She was like in love with that nutter Dark Lord? He is so not…um what's the word I'm looking for?"

"Schway?" I offered.

"Yeah, whatever that means!" Trixie yelled. "The Dark Lord is so totally not schway. He is kind of a bummer. Like a total wipe out, man. These purebloods, they're all like oh, he's going to bring down all of these people we don't like, but he is so totally out for himself!"

"Um, yeah," Ginny said. "Is she okay?"

"Yeah,Trixie, I think it's time for your medication," Zari said as she grabbed Trixie by the elbow. "You're having an episode and I would hate for you to have an unexpected shocl."

"But, I'm not having any…"

"Have a brownie," Zari said. "My brother's recipe. It always mellows him out."

Zari stuffed the brownie into Trixie's mouth. Fred and George exchanged utterly baffled looks. Andromeda looked like she highly regretted signing off on this. Sirius looked rather gleeful.

"You know, I think that fingers are jealous of toes, because they get to wear mittens," Trixie said in a dreamy tone.

"There's no way she's Bellatrix Lestrange," George said.

"Yeah, no way at all," Fred said. "Unless?"

The Weasley Twins turned their attention towards me. Zari fed Trixie another brownie and now that she was mellowed out due to the medicinal dessert, she started to skip and hum underneath her breath.

"What did you do, this time?"

I was offended that they thought I had something to do with this. Which I did but it was the principle of the matter.

"Why is it always me?" I asked the twins. "And I've got something I've got to take care of."

The Clearwaters should be arriving before too long, Patils would come over for a bit, Greengrasses might be stopping by, although given certain circumstances, they might not make the trip. Given this was the last Christmas Daphne and Astoria would get to spend with their father, barring a last minute miracle, understandable. Maybe a few other surprises. Christmas could be very chaotic. I needed to check on Kara and Astra and Rosemary to see how they were up. Trixie swiped the tin of brownies from Zari and ran off like a bratty child.

"MINE!"


"Mudbloods…"

And there went the tree, right in Walburga Black's face again. One of these days, she would learn. I went to the kitchen where Astra and Kara waited. Rosemary was awake, although very calm and tranquil. And painting, pictures of Voldemort getting gruesomely mangled in any number of creative ways.

This may be a reflection of Bellatrix's current state of mind.

"So, she finally calmed down," Astra said. "She was all over the place about an hour ago."

"So, was Trixie," I said to them.

Kara's lip curled into a half smile.

"Trixie?" Kara asked.

"Didn't the last person who called Bellatrix Lestrange, Trixie, get disemboweled?" Astra asked.

I let them in on what was going on.

"So, you going to tell her about…well, her?" Astra asked.

"Yes, because that will go over well," I said. "You can see a bit of what Bellatrix is thinking about Voldemort."

The latest picture Rosemary painted showed Voldemort getting burned to a crisp by an angry dragon.

"Point well taken," Astra said.

"She might find out soon," Kara agreed. "Rosemary, honey, are you okay?"

"Painting," Rosemary said. "Channeling my rage and multitude of issues towards my father through this medium. Feel better, much better. Mellow. Until she runs out brownies. But calmer. I think I can handle this. Painting helps. Really helps."

"It certainly helps."

Kara, Astra, and I jumped up at the sudden intrusion. Ariana Dumbledore sat in the kitchen and eyed Rosemary.

"Penerelle told me," Ariana said. "They will finish the job if they find her."

"Not if I find them first," I said.

"They generally target witches," Ariana said. "But, they will make an exception to remove an obstacle."

"Ariana, I've fought worse," I said.

"I know," Ariana said. "But, they're still dangerous. It's an enemy you cannot put a face or a name to. They are anywhere and anyone. Everywhere and everyone."

Well that was annoyingly cryptic and vague.

"If we just had one name, we could get somewhere," Astra said.

"They don't want you to get anywhere," Ariana said. "You will go mad when seeing their truth. I'm sorry. I see clearly, but also see little. You must be reminded of Albus at his worst. I would hate it."

"He could choose to give me information, but seldom did," I told her. "And you wish you could, but you can't. There's a difference."

"There is one key to solve them all," Rosemary said.

"She's right," Ariana asked.

I turned to Kara and Astra who both looked frustrated as I did. Rosemary went back to her painting. A pop could be heard and Elle made her way inside.

"The three of you can go," Elle said. "I'll watch over them. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Elle," I told her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Elle persisted . "Your friends are waiting for you.

I just took Astra by one hand and Kara by the other hand and sighed. Just when I thought I had all the answers, they kept changing the questions.


Just as Kara, Astra, and I returned home, a nice looking car pulled into the drive. The Clearwaters were here. Penny flashed a smile towards me and waved me over before greeting me with a hug. Annie moved over and did the same.

"Nice to see you could make it," I told him.

"Yes, I am as well."

Andromeda made her way down the steps to greet her guests.

"It was nice of you to have us over for Christmas, Mrs. Tonks," Penny said.

"Oh, please dear, it's Andromeda," she said. "And it's a pleasure to have you over here. Harry's told me a lot about you."

"And you have such a lovely home," Annie said. "And such nice Christmas directions."

Kara took a good look at it and smiled.

"Well, you didn't see it when it was on fire," Andromeda said. "But, everything is safe. I'll get your bags."

"This is Kara," I told Annie and Penny. "She's a friend of mine. She'll be transferring into Hogwarts next term. And you know Astra."

"Penelope told me about you," Annie said. "It's a pleasure to meet you, dear."

"Oh, thank you, Mrs. Clearwater," Astra said.

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you as well," Kara said. "Thank you for looking after Harry when he was in Hogwarts, Penny."

"Oh, it's my duty, but it was also a pleasure," Penny said. "I'm not sure how things would have turned out if Harry was not sorted into Ravenclaw. I want to try and make the younger years as comfortable as possible."

"And Harry's quite fond of you," Kara said. "He told me quite a lot about you."

"Oh, I'm sure he has," Penny said. "I'm glad you two could find each other again."

Annie and Andromeda had been out of earshot, as Penny, Kara, Astra, and I went up the steps.

"Oh, Fred and George are here?" Penny asked. "And the youngest Weasley…what was her name again…"

"Ginerva," Astra supplied. "Although she prefers Ginny."

"And you must be that Penelope Clearwater girl my brother fancies," Ginny said. "That being Percy…not that he has a chance ,does he?"

"Well, not with his attitude," Penny said diplomatically.

I could sense she did not like Percy. Especially after the Halloween incident.

"You're too good for him," Ginny said. "I know you can do better."

Ginny winked at me before stepping back and clearing her throat.

Fred and George stiffened up for a minute when Penny walked inside of the house. Penny just smiled and waved at them.

"Don't worry," Penny said. "Whatever you're doing, I'm not going to bust you over Christmas. I'm not Percy."

'Well, thankfully, you're not," George said. "Penelope Clearwater, you're one of the good ones."

"Way too good for our suck-up brother," Fred said.

"Think her type might be more of the dark-haired and green eyes variety," George said with a wink.

"That's oddly specific," Fred said. "But, accurate."

"Come to think of it, all of the prefects are decent other than Percy, he is the only one with the stick up his ass," George said.

"Do you even have another prefect in your house?" I asked them. "I mean in Gryffindor."

The fact that Fred and George had to think for a good long minute just saw just how much

"Well, yeah Samantha Collins, I think her name is," George said.

"Sam's a nice girl, but Percy's personality is a bit overpowering," Penny said. "I wouldn't want to work with him."

"Yeah, he's always badgering the poor thing about not cracking down on the rules enough," George said with a sigh.

"Think she's in a bit over her head, dealing with perfect Percy the pompous pretenious prefect," Fred said.

"Try saying that three times fast," George remarked.

"I don't think so," I told them.

Annie had been at the couch, talking to both Zari and Andromeda. And Trixie just hung out in the background with the obvious signs of having one brownie too many.


"So, tell me Mr. Potter, what precisely are your intentions towards my daughters?

Parvati and Padma's father, Suveer, stared me down and I looked the man straight in the eye without blinking. The stern father thing does a much better job in rattling someone who has not fought monsters, demons, alien warlords, and the like during most of his life.

"Parvati told you about my master plan to build a collective of the best and brightest women, didn't she?" I asked. "And there's no doubt in my mind, a number of witches have gone completely wild with the idea, haven't they?"

"Yes, my daughter is insistent that she is to be one of your future wives," Suveer told me in a rigid voice. "And Padma has shown interest in the idea, although she thinks she's much more subtle about it."

Here I saw Padma about to want to shrink in a hole and die. I just offered her a smile.

"It's much too soon for either of them to concern them with such a thing," I told Suveer.

"I couldn't agree more," Suveer said. "But, one would say it is also much too soon for you to consider such a thing. While you do have the potential to have an advanced first maturity that bypasses to the second most undergo at the age of seventeen, you still have quite some time. I've heard the reports, and I understand you have not had the most idle of childhood's."

"Putting things bluntly, no," I said. "I'm not sure what Parvati and Padma want out of life right now. Although they should focus on being the best they can be."

"We will, won't we, Parvati?" Padma asked.

"You…you're not interested in us?" Parvati asked.

Her lip quivered. Oh, thanks a lot, Parvati, now you're making me feel bad. And I'm not too fond of you right now for it.

"It's too soon to understand where you would be when it's time and I don't want your entire focus to be on potential inclusion in a collective of women," I told him. "I won't say I'm not interested, but it's too soon for either of you. You might decide you want a different path in life when you're older."

"Mmm, I doubt it," Parvati said.

"I think Harry's trying to say he prefers older women," Padma said.

"Oh, well, he's one of the youngest in our year, isn't he?" Parvati asked. "So, technically aren't all of us older women?"

Parvati's mother just sighed. Preeti leaned in.

"Parvati, focus on your studies and your future," Preeti said.

"Wizards like this don't come along very often," Parvati protested. "And I am thinking about my future. And I'm thinking that in the future, we'll all be older and more to Harry's liking. And technically, both of us are six months older than Harry. So, I don't get what the big deal is."

"And I mean Penelope Clearwater's age, or older, by older women," Padma said. "Right, Harry?"

I said nothing. Parvati just folded her arms and sighed. I really hoped to find something else to divert the attention of soe of the more persistent women.

"Work hard, and we'll discuss this after you finish Hogwarts," I said. ""But, you should think about this long and hard."

"I am, don't worry," Parvati said.

"Pouting is unbecoming of you, my dear daughter," Preeti said. "There are opportunities which you cannot even dream of which have yet to present themselves."

"Well, Mum, why haven't you taken that opportunity that you have been given, yet?" Parvati asked.

"Your mother has a very difficult choice to make," Suveer said. "Although she is more than qualified to take this opportunity."

I understood exactly what they were talking about. Parvati and Padma looked at their mother who just smiled.

"The changes in Hogwarts caused friction in the Ministry," Preeti said. "I would hate to interfere with your father's work as a diplomat."

"Let me worry about that," Suveer said. "I can handle the likes of Cornelius Fudge, if he causes difficulties for us. And he won't push too hard. Not if he wants international relations to break down."

"We would love to have you," Zari said. "You would be perfect."

"And an improvement over the last Potions Professor," I added.

"Well, I don't know," Preeti said. "Won't things be awkward with the girls?"

"Mum, you're trying to find every excuse not to follow your dreams," Padma said. "You wanted to teach Potions for ages. But, Dumbledore turned you down in favor of Snape, didn't he?"

Oh, he did, did he? Between Snape and Trelawney, it is my conclusion that Dumbledore used Hogwarts as more of a witness protection program than a school at certai points.

"We'll be fine," Parvati said. "Well, Padma will. I'm just going to have to work harder in Potions. Although without Snape sneering that might be pretty easy."

"When Rowena came to me, and asked me to teach Muggle Studies and be Deputy Headmistress, I admit, I was a little bit reluctant," Zari said. "We're going to shape the next generation of magical users. And Hogwarts needs new fresh ideas. And you won't be the only Potions professor, after this year. But, you could be the senior one."

"It's the job you should have received ten years ago," Suveer added. "I remember how upset you were when Dumbledore decided to hire Snape over you. That wretched man never should have been allowed near any children. And the fact he was near our daughters for such a short time, should disgust anyone. I know it disgusts me."

Could not agree with you more, Suveer. I decided to appeal to Preeti.

"And if you don't take it, the Ministry might try and force Snape back in," I said. "I've read your work. You know the subject and you have an obvious passion for it. And maybe you can make more students discover that same passion for the note of potion making."

Preeti looked from her daughters to her husband and to me and Zari, as if mulling over her options. She had been considering it.

"So, can we expect you to report to Hogwarts, Professor Patil?" Zari asked.

Before Preeti could have a chance to answer, the very familiar sound of someone falling flat on her face when exiting the Floo could be heard from the next room. Looks like Nymphadora was home from her Christmas shopping.

"And Nymphadora Tonks sticks the landing!"

Ginny and Penny both moved over to assist Tonks off of the ground. Although Ginny looked rather amused, she helped all of the same.

"Don't worry, I saved the presents," Tonks said. "My center of gravity has been off all day. I wonder why."

Yeah, I wondered as well. I stepped into the room, and saw Nymphadora had returned with said friends she had been going Christmas shopping with. One of them was a shorter redhead woman who looked at least partially Asian, Japanese if I'm not mistaken. She dressed in a black sweater, a skirt, and a pair of leggings. The other was a tall blonde with braids, and gorgeous blue eyes, slender, dressed in a pair of jeans and a green sweater. Both of Nymphadora's friends were quite hot, to put it crudely.

"Nice one, Nym," I told her.

"It's all your fault!" she yelled.

"Oh, that's…THAT'S HARRY POTTER!"

The redhead girl's eyes snapped to me in excitement.

"Last, I checked," I told them with a smile. "And might I have the pleasure of being introduced to your two lovely friends, Nymphadora?"

"Down, Potter," she said.

"Wait, he gets away with calling you, the name," the redhead said. "We never got away with that. Not even C…well no one ever did."

"He's not getting away with it, he just does it anyway," Tonks said. "One of these days…"

"Yeah, I've heard it before," I said. "So, as you figured out, I'm Harry Potter. Maybe you've heard of me?"

"A bit, yes," the redhead said with a grin. "My name is Tulip Karasu."

Hmm, now I remember you, Tulip. You were among Charlie's friends who helped Hermione and I sneak Nobert out of the castle. Or Noberta rather.

"And I'm Penny Haywood," the blonde woman with braids said.

"Surely, not the famous potioneer Penny Haywood?" I asked her. "One of the most brilliant witches to come out of Hogwarts in quite some time?"

"Oh, I don't know about that," Penny Haywood said while blushing slightly at my gushing praise. "I mean, I love Potions, and I'm studying to get my Morgana Mastery for them."

"Those are really difficult to get," Andromeda said. "Come, sit down. You ladies must like some hot chocolate."

"You sure, Mrs. Tonks?" Tulip asked. "After the last time."

"Well, I think you've learned your lesson, haven't you?" Andromeda asked.

"Oh, sure, I did," Tulip said before she winked at Harry. "Although, we better keep an eye on you, Harry Potter. You set your Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor on fire during your first week at Hogwarts!"

"Well…"

"You're my hero!" Tulip gushed. "And all the other stuff you pulled. You turned Hogwarts and the Wizarding World on it's ear."

"I'm just glad he got away from those awful people," Penny Haywood said before she smiled. "Oh, you must be Charlie's sister, Ginny. Is he enjoying the dragons?"

"Oh, yes, it's like a dream come true for him," Ginny said "Nice to see you, Penny, and Tulip. Mum didn't like the stuff you sent me for my birthday."

"Mrs. Weasley could lighten up a little bit," Tulip said. "And Penelope Clearwater as well. I heard you're a prefect…but you're one of the cool ones, aren't you?"

"Well, I'm fair," Penny said. "I don't get off of lecturing people or telling them they need to get more house points or any of that nonsense."

"I know, those prefects were the worst," Tulip said.

"I know what you mean," Penny said with a sigh.

"It's really nice to meet you, Harry, I…well you're nothing like what we thought you would be," Penny Haywood said quietly.

"Oh, he's so much better," Tulip said.

"I mean, with your relatives, not sure what we expected, but you won't ever have to go back there, would be?" Penny H. asked me.

Ginny, Penny, and I walked over and joined Nymphadora and her two friends and enjoyed some hot chocolate.

"Sorry, if you don't like talking about that," Penny H. said. "But, I read the stories which Rita Skeeter put out in the paper. She's got a tendency for bringing out the worst of things, but something about her writing about that seemed different. Almost like she took that personally as well."

"Anyone should," Ginny said.

"Anyone would have taken you in, Harry," Penny H. said. "My parents would have loved to have you. My sister and I would have loved having you as a little brother, too!"

Add another family who would have been better than the Dursleys. Hell, I should count the people who would be worse. That would take a lot less time.

Dolores Umbridge.

Okay, that's about all I got.

"Dumbledore thought it was best I lived with them," I said.

Both Pennys exchanged dark looks. They were thinking the same thing. People lost a lot of respect for Dumbledore over this entire ordeal.

"I don't think there is anyone who could have been much worse," Ginny said. "Well, maybe a couple of people."

"Really wish I was back at Hogwarts," Tulip said. "You know, when Tonks told me you were staying here, I thought she was pulling my leg."

"Yeah, she does have a tendency to like a good joke," Penny H added. "You have a good Christmas, Harry?"

"Yes, first one I enjoyed since my parents," I said. "Being among friends and family, real family."

The Patils filed into the kitchen to join us. Penny Haywood's eyes widened when she caught sight of Preeti walking it.

"Mrs. Patil, it's such an honor!" Penny H practically gushed. "Sorry, it's just, I read all about you and your struggles to get your Morgana Mastery in Potions, and how you finally got it, and it inspired me to go into being a Potioneer myself. Oh, and I'm Penny, Penny Haywood, and you might not know who I am…"

"I know of you, Ms. Haywood, you received the highest marks in your Potions NEWT at Hogwarts, the highest since Lily Evans graduated," Preeti said.

"Well, you and Lily Evans, you were the ones who inspired me to get into Potions, and if…" Penny H said. "Sorry, Harry, but your mother was…"

"She's brilliant, I know," I told her.

"Professor Snape knew what he was teaching, but I have a feeling that he didn't really want to teach a bunch of…"

"Dunderheads?" Tonks offered.

"Well, he knew Potions, but sometimes he had trouble conveying what he knew to those who knew less than him," Penny H said diplomatically. "But, Lily would have been great at teaching Potions."

"I think she was more interested in teaching Charms, Flitwick told me as much," I told her. "And Snape's, well his days of teaching are over. And Preeti has been offered the job of Potions Professor at Hogwarts."

"Oh, you should take it," Penny H gushed excitedly. "You can inspire a new generation of Potioneers, like you inspired me. And Potions is the gateway for so many amazing careers. We could use more Healers and more Aurors too. There hasn't been too many, but you can do it. I would take the job myself, but I want to focus on getting my Morgana Mastery. And I'm a bit young to be a Professor at Hogwarts."

Although with someone like Penny, I am certain that Rowena would make an exception.

"You really think I should take this job?" Preeti asked.

"Mum, everyone who has any sense thinks you should take this job," Padma said. "Penny Haywood is a Potions genius and if you inspired her, you can inspire anyone else."

Preeti just smiled and looked around at smiling and agreeable faces.

"I should tell Professor Ravenclaw that I'll accept her offer," Preeti said.

The casual dropping of Rowena Ravenclaw's return just caused the reaction I thought it would. To be fair, I expected the cat to come out of the bag soon enough.

"Oh, so you did bring Rowena Raveclaw back to life through a necromatic ritual!" Tulip piped up suddenly. "Well, that will shake things up. That's the kind of chaos that really will get you a lot of fans. And a lot of women would be chasing after you. The only thing that would be even hotter if the rumors that you have dragon blood are true, Harry Potter."

"That's not true, is it?" Parvati asked.

If anything, Parvati's interest was piqued even more. Oh, Tulip, why did you have to encourage her?

"Well, some people thought that's how you beat You-Know-Who," Tulip said with a shrug.

"Oh, that would be something. And really hot!"

Tonks turned her attention and caught sight of Trixie for the first time. To be fair, perhaps this is something she should have been prepared for. Andromeda looked to her daughter and caught her eye.

"Tonks, this is my old college roommate, Trixie," Zari said.

"Right," Nymphadora said. "Nice to meet you…Trixie."

"You too, Nymphadora," she said.

"Harry, can I have a word with you, in private?" Tonks asked.

"Oh, I think he's much too young for that sort of thing, isn't he?" Tulip asked. "You try anything funny, you'll get age-gated for sure."

I walked across the room with Tonks who looked at me.

"She's here?" Tonks asked.

"Well, it was spur of the moment, she's here," I told her. "It's a long story, but she found out some uncomfortable truths about her old master, and she's not happy about any of them."

"I see," she said. "I almost bought it. But, I'm used to changing my face, I supposed that I can figure out a disguise a mile away."

"Fair enough," I told her. "I like your friends."

"I'm sure you do," Tonks said. "Tulip spent two hours grilling me about some of the things you were up to. She and I got into so much trouble in Hogwarts. Maybe not to Marauder level or those Weasley twins, but we're pretty much up there. So many hours spent in detention. And that was just the times we actually got caught. And Penny is a right ray of sunshine, despite all she's been through. My Penny is kind of like your Penny, I guess. But, still, Bellatrix Lestrange is really spending Christmas."

"Your mother agreed to it," I told Tonks. "And she'll be on her best behavior."

"Mmm," Tonks said. "I wish I could buy that."

"She'll still get zapped if she steps out of line," I said.

"You don't think she can be redeemed with all she's done?" Tonks asked.

"Tricky question," I told Tonks. "She doesn't seem to think so."

It was a very tricky situation. Bellatrix could only make those choices. I could not make it for her. Tulip and Penny H peered over the corner.

"Ladies?" I asked them.

"They're behaving themselves," Penny H said.

"Oh, that's a shame," Tulip said. "I have to be heading out. It was nice meeting you, Harry Potter. Keep doing what you're doing."

"Yeah, me too," Penny H said. "Nice meeting you too, Harry."

Both of these lovely young ladies walked over and hugged me.

"Oh, I almost forgot about the cursed mistletoe," Tulip said.

"Wait, that was you?" Tonks asked.

"Well, I told you I would get you back from the whirlybird incident," Tulip said. "And Harry Potter, you understand that thing won't leave us alone until we…"

I grabbed Tulip and pushed her against the wall and planted a huge kiss on her. She gave a solid eep when I channeled a little bit of my power into her.

"Um, wow," Penny H said. "I never thought I would see you melt like that."

"Well, I've never been kissed by the Boy-With-Dragon-Blood before," Tulip said. "And you better break your curse, Penny."

"Right," Penny H said. "So, Harry, whenever you would. Shouldn't take much. Just a little…mmmph!"

I grabbed the beautiful braided blonde around the waist and planted a huge kiss on her lips. Penny eagerly returned it, and her brain almost went onto autopilot. She almost wrapped her legs around me until she pulled back. And then, I pulled back.

"You are going to make a lot of witches very happy when you're old enough," Penny Haywood gasped when she broke the kiss.

"Yeah if he kisses like this at eleven, imagine what he'll be like later," Tulip said. "Actually, I'll be imagining it tonight, with the door locked and behind silencing charms."

Tulip took the magical mistletoe away and Nymphadora bid farewell to her two friends as they departed. I turned to Astra, who stood in the doorway, smirking.

"Just helping break a curse," I said.

"As you do," Astra said. "And you couldn't put anything less than your best into those kisses."

The Patils prepared to bid farewell.

"Thank you for having us over for lunch, but we have an engagement we must make tonight," Preeti said. "Your home is lovely, Andromeda."

"Yes, it was a pleasure," Suveer stated.

"See you at Hogwarts!" Padma called to me.

Both twins hugged me from either side and smirked when they pulled away.

"And remember, we won't be eleven forever," Parvati said. "Or twelve soon enough."

Suveer narrowed his eyes at his daughter. I did like Parvati's persistence in the matter, although I was trying to keep things more manageable.

Trying, but likely failing.

"If nothing else, I am more at ease that you support my daughters in taking advantage of any opportunity life gives them," Suveer said. "We have that much in common."

The Patils left the house.


Somehow, it would not be Christmas Eve without a snowball fight. Some things never changed. Tonks, Astra, and I were on one side, and Fred, George, and Ginny were on the other side.

"Alright, let's show these Weasleys what we're all about," Tonks said.

Tonks threw the first shot, only for it to be deflected. The twins moved in and kept feeding Ginny snowballs and she hurled them out. She was a good hit and she hit most of us.

"Alright, that's it, you're going down!" Astra yelled. "Take some of this!"

"Oooh,good shot!" Ginny laughed. "But, not close enough!"

Astra and Ginny kept hurling snowballs at each other. Tonks took it right in the face with one of the twins. I was all too used to evading projectile objects, so despite their best efforts, Fred and George could not get a shot in on me. I reinforced our snow fort and popped out from behind the wall.

The miniature snow catapult I created shot a dozen well placed snowballs over the wall and buried the twins in it. Astra's competitive spirit made it such that she flung snowball after snowball at Ginny.

"Not bad, but you wouldn't make a Chaser, if you can't get one of these to hit me," Ginny said. "Come on, Astra, you can hit me. Get me with your best…"

A snowball waffled Ginny in the side of the head while she was trash talking. Oddly enough, it was not from Astra, Tonks, or myself.

Trixie stood in the edge with a smile on her face.

"Can I play?" she asked. "I am so totally going to blast you. You are going to chill out!"

Trixie flung a rapid fire amount of snowballs at the Weasleys. Ginny, Fred, and George ducked behind the wall.

"She's getting a bit carried away with this, isn't she?" Tonks asked.

"Yeah, but she's not getting zapped, so it's all good."

"Come on, Potter, let's show these ginger weasels what true snow fighting is all about," Trixie said. "Take that, and like take some of that. And you're totally going to get smacked!"

"We've got to regroup and surround her!" Ginny called out. "Before she…"

A large snowball smacked Ginny in the face and caused her hat to go flying. And a bombardment of snowballs took down their wall. Astra, Tonks, and I returned, although Bellatrix was responsible for destroying their entire western wall.

"Oy, four against three!" Fred said.

"Looks like you guys could use a little help."

Sirius appeared behind them and dodged Trixie's snowball from flying over the wall. Sirius picked up a snowball and measured it before flinging it at a ninety degree angle which knocked our snow catapult out. And a second one knocked Trixie for a loop.

"Not bad, Sirius," George said.

"Yeah, we Marauders were kings of the snowball fight!" Sirius yelled.

"Wait, Marauders?" Fred asked.

"Seriously, like the Marauders?" George asked.

"As in the Marauders' Map Marauders? Those Marauders?"

"Padfoot at your service!" Sirius said.

"Padfoot planted in the snow!"

Trixie nailed a grandstanding Sirius with a huge snowball right to the face. Sirius growled and the twins looked on in awe. The two cousins locked eyes with each other and started hurling snowballs at each other with a more threatening velocity, trying to get the better of each other.

I stepped back. So did Astra. And Tonks and the Weasleys. Not that Sirius and Trixie noticed.

"Wow, two of the most infamous former inmates of Azkaban," I said. "Having a snowball fight."

Sirius and Trixie pelted each other even harder.

"Not going to get me, Sirius Black! I'm going to knock that smug smile off your face! You're so going down!"

"I'm so not!"

They bickered back and forth like children when they kept lobbing snowballs at each other. A few of the snowballs had curses inside of them which caused miniature explosions to go off.

Kara rushed out to see the sound of the explosions. She looked at Trixie who had been launching an entire barrage of snowballs at Sirius, who deflected them back.

"Should have known," Kara said with a sigh.

"Why didn't you join us, Kara?" Ginny asked.

"I didn't want to hurt any of you," Kara said. "Sometimes, I don't know my own strength."

"And Trixie does?" Ginny asked.

Sirius resembled the world's most unkempt snowman due to Trixie stockpiling snowballs all over his head.

"I'm so the winner!" Trixie yelled. "So, there! I so totally smoked you. I am the winner! Winner, winner, turkey spinner!"

And more snowballs hurled through the air. The door opened and Andromeda poked her head out only to almost get nailed with a snowball.

"I should have known," Andromeda groaned.

"That's what I said," Kara said.

Andromeda took out her wand.

"Playtime's over!" Andromeda said.

Sirius and Trixie stopped at once, snowballs in their hands still.

"That's not a snowball."

Andromeda levitated a huge snowball the size of a family van over her head.

"This is a snowball."

And boom, the snow buried both Trixie and Sirius underneath. I'm not sure, but I think that Andromeda won. Granted, one could argue she cheated using magic, but all's fair in war and snowball fights. And I'm not going to argue with her amazing transfiguration and charms skills.


Astra, Kara, Tonks, Fred, George, Ginny, Penny, and I were all sitting around the fire, eating hot chocolate and having s'mores. Trixie and Sirius sat on separate ends of the room.

"I could have taken you out if I had the chance," Trixie said. "I so totally would have smoked you."

"Sure, you would have," Sirius snorted. "You know, these are good. These S'mores."

"They're a Ravenclaw staple every Friday night in the common room," I said it. "A tradition dating back to about two months ago."

"Well, it makes me want to get sorted into Ravenclaw," Ginny said.

Arthur and Ted finally returned downstairs, mostly due to Andromeda's assistance. Zari had to return to Hogwarts to help Rowena with a few things, but she should be back soon.

"So, you and Molly," Andromeda said.

"I don't know, I think she's getting a bit too pushy," Arthur said.

"Just now?" Ted asked. "No offense, Arthur, but Molly's been a bit of a firecracker for years."

No one who knew Molly Weasley could deny that.

"She wasn't that bad, when her brothers were still around," Arthur said. "After they died, something changed. But, she likes control of the house. And if things don't go her way, she can't handle it well."

"Well, Arthur, I hope you don't mind me for offering you a little advice," Annie nervously said.

"Oh, no, I do need some advice," Arthur said.

"It's not good for your children, having such an unbalanced marriage," Annie said. "You and Molly should talk things out. Talk to a counselor or something, and try and mediate what your problem is. At least that's my advice."

I looked at the Daily Prophet. The Dursleys were sentenced. As I expected. Eighty years of hard labor with the goblins and if there was enough left of them, straight to Azkaban. I doubted very much there would be much left of them to go to Azkaban, if anything at all.

"A counselor?" Arthur asked. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

"Do you have someone who helps you talk through your problems in the Wizarding World?" Annie asked.

"Well, we're just sort of expected to work out these things ourselves," Arthur said. "Molly and I will. We just have to talk and she'll listen for once. This time, I swear she will."

"You don't have any counseling in the Wizarding World?" Annie asked in horror.

Penny drank her hot chocolate.

"Told Mum we were a bit backwards," Penny whispered. "Although she's realizing just how behind we are."

And yet, even the Muggle World still had a ways to go in some respects.

"Surely there are children that will go through trauma, and they will need someone to talk to," Annie said.

"Oh, Oldman-Thewlis has people that trauma victims can talk to," Andromeda said. "My cousin is talking to someone twice a week after his stint in Azkaban."

"The problem is, they're very short-staffed," Ted commented. "And they're really not publicized. Most people go to St. Mungos. They're loaded up with a few potions, a couple of calming charms, and a massive bill which drains out half of their account."

"It's not something we think about," Arthur said. "Families lean on each other for support. And there are potions and charms which numb those feelings. We just have to deal with our problems."

"Well, that's how your culture is," Annie said.

Annie looked like she wanted to say more, but she was also very respectful. She was just learning about the ins and outs and she had been asking a lot of questions to Andromeda during her visit, to try and about the world which her daughter would be a part of.

"I'm not saying it's perfect," Arthur said. "I've learned a bit about the Muggle World, through my job. They have so many wonderful things without magic. And you're saying that there are actually people who can help troubled marriages get through their problems?"

"Yes, there are," Annie said. "I'm not sure if it's against your laws if you talked to someone from the outside, but I know a couple of good marriage counselors, if you and Molly are interested."

I am sure Molly Weasley would be beyond thrilled about someone, nevermind a Muggle, pointing at her flaws. While the Weasleys were progressive by pureblood standards, they still looked at Muggles overall like curiosities. I would say look at their second-cousin, the accountant, but given that he ended up pulling some real Bernie Madoff style shit, I could forgive them for not wanting to bring him up.

"It's a grey area," Arthur admitted. "As long as we don't mention anything about magic, it should be fine. I'm going to ask Amelia Bones about what I can do legally. If anyone knows, it's her. But otherwise, I guess Molly and I will be having a long talk."

"Just do what's best for your children," Annie said.

Arthur responded with a nod.

"Miranda and Mandy Brocklehurst would like to see Harry Potter!" the fireplace announced.

"If it's okay with you, Harry?" Andromeda asked.

"It's fine," I told them.

"Allow them in."

The fireplace opened up, and Miranda and Mandy came out.

"Harry, Merry Christmas!" Mandy called. "Hey, Penny."

"Hey, Mandy, I'm hoping you're having a good holiday," Penny said.

"Oh, the best," Mandy said. "Picking up a couple of last minute Christmas gifts."

"On Christmas Eve?" Nym asked. "And Mum lectured me about waiting until the twenty-third."

"Oh, we've been really busy," Miranda said. "Did you hear the news, Harry?"

"Dursleys are toast," I said.

"Yes," Miranda agreed. "I'm not sure if it's made by the Prophet yet, but eighty years in Goblin Labor mines. And about two hundred in Azkaban, if there's anything left of them. Marge's trial is not after the New Year."

"What happened to Dudley?"

"Got sent to live with his Godfather in Gotham City," Miranda said. "Some guy named Cobblepot, I think his name was."

Oh, yes, Ozzie, I know all about you. Vernon's old chum from Smeltings. Kara snorted in half amusement. Her cousin's friend knew all about that guy as well, shall we say. Although, that particular feud was a ways to come.

"You have the Number Four Privet Drive house," Miranda informed me. "You can sell it, keep it, or demolish it. It's really up to you. Just let me know in thirty days.

Oh, my childhood home, so many wonderful memories. Especially in that cupboard underneath the stairs. Good times.

"Destroy," Astra and Kara suggested in unison.

Miley Cyrus it is then. As in, Wrecking Ball time.

"I would like to see that house destroyed and if possible, the land magically hidden from existence," I said.

That would be my final victory over Dumbledore. Not that he was getting out of St. Mungos any time soon. But to make sure there was absolutely no way I or anyone else could step foot on Number Four Privet Drive would be one glorious middle finger.

"I'll owl you the papers next week," Miranda said.

"S'more?" I asked them.

"Don't mind if I do," Mandy said. "Wish we could stay for longer."

"I heard about Friday nights in the Ravenclaw common room," Miranda said. "Makes me really miss Hogwarts."

"I know, right," Tonks said. "Granted, we can't stay there forever. Got to adult some day."

"Not too well though, right?" I asked her.

Tonks just stuck her tongue out. Really adult. Miranda took a S'more and some hot chocolate for the road. Arthur walked over to join us.

"Oh, the things Muggles dream up!" he said giddily as Ginny showed her father how to make a S'more. "Ted was showing me his magnificent inventions. He just got something called a Cellular Phone. You can call anyone from across the world. And you don't need a plug."

Pffft, mobile phones. That will never catch on.


"PRESENTS, PRESENTS, PRESENTS…OOOF!"

Nymphadora Tonks realized she made a critical error. Namely, she bombarded in a room which had Astra Logue sleeping in it. Astra was very much not a morning person and did not appreciate being woke up at the crack of dawn by anyone, no matter what. It was likely that she had some pretty good reflexes.

Or tripped at the exact right time to cause Astra's bombardment spell to miss her entirely. Lucky for her.

"Oh, Tonks, it's four in the morning," a sleepy Kara grumbled.

"I know, I'm running a bit late this morning," Tonks said. "Um Harry? Are you in here, mate?"

"I think he's buried underneath this pile of presents," Astra managed.

Oh, so I was. There were piles and piles of presents surrounding me, as far as the eye could see. Andromeda would not let anything in the house too dangerous, but still best be careful.

As Moody said, constant vigilance. Due to the fact he was once stabbed in the back by a woman named Constance Vigilance. True story.

"He is," Kara said. "Harry? Can you hear me? Can you breathe?"

"Yes and Yes," I replied. "Holy Presents!"

"Yeah, there's a lot of them," Tonks said. "Well, that's the perks of being Harry Potter as well. I think mine's in here somewhere, you should open it first."

"Nymphadora, what did I tell you?" Andromeda asked.

I managed to create enough space to see the presents and see Tonks staring at the carpet.

"We eat Breakfast first on Christmas morning," Tonks said. "Dad says it's a time honored tradition of an old-fashioned Christmas. Just like his fire-hazard light display and his attempts to sing Christmas carols after drinking egg-nog. Granted, I'm not much better."

"Yes, back to sleep," Andromeda said.

"Sorry about the wall, Andromeda," Astra said.

"Nymphadora will repair it, won't you?" Andromeda asked.

"Yes, it's not the first time I woke up before the crack of dawn and almost got blasted through a wall," Tonks said cheerfully. "I guess I'll make some coffee, or something? Since I'm going to be up anyway."

"No coffee."

"But, Mum…."

"Absolutely not, you're wired enough as is."

Tonks pouted. I would have to agree with Andromeda on this one. Nymphadora Tonks and coffee is not a good combination.


Breakfast, then presents, Nymphadora. I had the most daunting mountain of gifts. Well, I better get started right now if I wanted to get them opened before my Birthday, now would I?"

"Open mine first!" Tonks begged me. "It's really cool and useful."

Nymphadora Tonks, the last student of the legendary Mad-Eye Moody, ladies and gentlemen.

"Well, if I could find yours, I would, Nymmikins," I told her.

"Here, there it is!" she cheered.

I took the gift and opened it.

"It's a wand holster," Tonks told me. "Auror grade. Guaranteed to avoid any blown off buttocks."

"Well, isn't an Auror grade wand holster only supposed to be for Aurors only?" I asked her.

"Ask me no questions, and I tell you no lies," Tonks said.

"It's brilliant," I said.

"And no one will take your wand, well unless they want to lose a few fingers trying," Tonks said. "All you have to do is key it into you. I'll show you later. And show you some of the more nifty features. Never know when they could come in handy."

I had many gifts. Way too many to count. A lot of them were chocolates and little trinkets from well-wishers. Lots of candy, sugary sweets. Enough to make any dentist a made man.

Su Li sent me an antique dagger, which had a green handle on it. She said it reminded her of me and said she thought I could use it. And I wondered what properties it would have.

Cho and Marietta sent me the 1992 Holyhead Harpies Calendar. Marietta wrote a postscript saying that the password was "Cheesecake." It was something that I would have to investigate in my private time.

Padma and Parvati sent me a book about magic native to India. A quick look at it indicated that Parselmouths were more common in India. Or at least they had less of a stigma over there. I would have to look into it later.

Eddie Carmichael sent me a license plate with the word "PEACOCK" on it. He apparently found at his father's used car lot. Eddie Carmichael's father is a used car salesman. Shocking, I know.

Daphne sent me some chocolate and a few books she thought I might find interesting. Also an apology once again that she would not be able to come over and enjoy the holidays for us. I understood. Hoped she liked the gift I got her.

The Brocklehursts sent me a few thick books on magical law. Mandy sent me a quick note commenting that she knew I would have a fun time looking for loopholes to exploit. She was right.

Several resumes of several witches who had aspirations of joining my collective later. Some included pictures.

Tracey sent me an archery set and commented I seemed like the type of person who might practice. Well, I picked up a few things from a couple of lovely female archers who will remain nameless.

Sophie sent my guide about surviving in the Wilderness. I wish I had that when hunting for the Horcruxes the first time around.

"There's mine, finally," Sirius said. "Open that up."

I opened up Sirius's gift and saw a leather bound black book.

"It's our detention book," Sirius said. "Pretty much a record of everything that we got caught doing at Hogwarts. So you can know what not to do."

"Should you really be encouraging me," I said. "Oh, Lupin sent me something too."

"He's still recovering from…his special night," Sirius said. "And he wasn't sure if you would want to see him anyway."

"We'll talk in the future," I said.

It was an autographed picture of framed picture of the Marauders, posing as Stubby Boardman and the Hobgoblins, autographed by the actual Stubby Boardman and the Hobgoblins.

"Did you open yours, Astra?" Sirius asked.

"Yes," Astra remarked with a smile. "Thanks, Sirius."

"Anytime, kid, your Mother would like you to have it," Sirius said. "I'm just glad the Ministry never confiscated it."

I smiled in recognition, at the beautiful looking guitar, handcrafted that Astra opened. Natalie often bemoaned that she misplaced it. And there was a picture of the band Lily and Natalie was a part of called the Hex.

"You know, that looks a lot like that Zari girl, doesn't it?" Tonks asked, pointing at one of the band members.

"I didn't notice," I told Tonks.

Astra and I could barely keep a straight face. Zari was there, along with another one of our friends,Charlie. Not Weasley, but rather one of the three Greek fates, Clotho. It's a really interesting story that may be told someday.

And I noticed Astra and I hanging out in the background, and then slipping past the edge of the picture before anyone could get a good look at us.

"Oooh, there's mine!" Trixie piped up. "You so have to open mine!"

Tonks had been deprived of coffee. Trixie on the other hand, well that might be her natural state.

I was in the process of opening Penny's gift. She gave me a nice framed portrait of the two of us just hanging out on the Hogwarts lake and a book on the history of Herpo the Foul. Well, I knew all about that guy and all of his Herpes. Still, it was a thoughtful gift.

"Let's see what you got, me, Trixie," I told her.

A rather ragged looking doll with greasy looking hair came out of the package.

"It's a Snapey doll!" Trixie said. "If you're ever feeling stressed out or just want to cause Snape misery for the shits and giggles of it, you can take these pins and stab it."

Huh, it looks more like Michael Jackson.

"You got Harry a Voodoo Doll of Snape?" Astra asked.

Oh, Astra's eyes flashed with glee.

"Oh, can I try it?" Sirius asked.

Sirius took the pin and stabbed it right into Snape's crotch.

"Oh, you can't do it like that," Trixie said. "You have to do it like this."

Trixie started to stab the pin right into Snape's rear end. And into the back of his legs. And she was getting violent.

"Trixie!" I called.

"Right, it's your toy," Trixie said. "Wait, you actually got me, something, Potter?"

For a second, Bellatrix broke character. She looked at the present. She cast a charm where only I and her could hear what was going on. I was going to overlook the use of magic for now.

"Cissa sent me one ,Andromeda got me one, but they're my sisters, they have to at least pretend to like me," Bellatrix said.

"Open it up."

Bellatrix opened up the present and opened it up. It was a small beautifully made box.

"This belonged to my mother," Bellatrix said. "It always calmed me down when I was upset as a child. It made me happy when I was in a downed mood. It was just so calming."

"Kreacher mentioned to me you liked it," I told her. "Figured with everything you've been through, it would give you some comfort."

"It reminds me of a much happier time," Trixie said. "Potter?"

Trixie turned around and looked at the box.

"Merry Christmas."

She rubbed her eyes.

"Andromeda, are you cutting onions?" Bellatrix asked.

Andromeda just wrapped an arm around her younger sister and led her away.

"Thank you, Harry, that bracelet was beautiful!" Penny called from across the room.

"You're quite welcome," I told Penny. "And thank you for your gift."

And Bellatrix Lestrange was hugging me. And crying. Happy tears and not tears of rage from her beloved master being outed as a deranged half-blood.

"Well, that was surprising," I told her.

"Tell anyone at Hogwarts, and I'll string you up from the rafters," Bellatrix said in a cheerful voice.

And then, Trixie was back as everyone went back to opening presents. I opened a couple more gifts from well-wishes. One of them was a very nice hand-woven pair of silk robes that looked quite regal.

"The most powerful wizard deserves the most powerful witch on his arm," Tonks read. "Oh, Merula, never change."

Astra's eyes narrowed at that name being spoken and Kara giggled. I raised my eyebrow and went through the last few gifts.

"Wow, whoever wrapped this one, didn't want anyone to mess with it before I got it," I said.

"Could be dangerous," Tonks said. Her eyes widened. "CJ? Why would CJ risk sending you a Christmas gift?"

I opened a large package which contained confidential information on curse breaking. Gringotts trade secrets even. Well, this highly interesting and kind of illegal gift. Stuff I could actually use.

"Oh, I'm not seeing this, I can't see this, because this will get me in serious trouble if I see it!" Tonks moaned. "Damn it, CJ! You're already on the run from the Ministry. I don't know where you are. Merula might, but I would rather stick my hand in a pit of snakes than deal with her right now."

Astra and Kara leaned over, interest in their eyes when looking at the package.

"Why would CJ send this to me?" I asked Tonks.

"You know her?" Tonks asked.

Well, I settled for a half truth, because the meeting in question has not happened yet. I quickly cast the same charm which Bellatrix used to keep our conversation private.

"I know of Cassie," I told Tonks carefully. "I heard a few older students who mentioned there was some weird things that went on at Hogwarts."

"Um, Harry, I kind of can't talk about this right now," Tonks said.

"About what?"

"Yes, that!" Tonks yelled. "We all sworn to never bring up the things that happened."

"Fine, you can't tell me, I understand," I said. "I don't know anything about anything. There are most certainly no mysterious vaults that were recently sealed at Hogwarts. It's completely and totally safe."

"Drop it, please," Tonks groaned.

"Fine, I'm dropping it," I said. "For the holidays. We'll talk about it later."

"No we won't."

Oh, Nymphadora you sweet summer child, I will find out everything I need to know. And a lot of stuff I did not need to know in the process.

"Fine," I said.

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Okay, everything is fine," Kara said.

"Did she leave any note?" Astra asked quietly.

Cassandra Jacobs, whose brother was notorious for his pursuit of the fabled Cursed Vaults at Hogwarts, sending me a Christmas gift, well that piqued my interest. Especially including items which goblins would have her blood over. Not to mention the Ministry was currently out for her head.

I cut Tonks out of the conversation and led Kara and Astra in. She had been very happy to avoid talking about this issue.

"Time is malleable," I read. "The Fountain will find you when most needed. Legends are forever. The future is forward. CJ."

Well, that gave me a few questions that I longed for the answers to. There were more gifts, but I now had something to really think about.


"So, where is it?" Tonks asked.

"Where's what?" I asked her.

"Exactly," Tonks said with a shift wink. "Nothing happened. Other than me mangling Christmas classics with karaoke. And too much nog."

"You two aren't involved in any illegal activities, are you?" Trixie asked.

"No, of course, not," Tonks said. "I'm an Auror, so legally I can't be withholding information about the whereabouts of anyone who is wanted for questioning, to the Ministry, even if it was to protect an old school friend"

"Oh, you so totally are being a naughty girl, aren't you,Nymphie?" Trixie asked. "And you need more practice being a better liar when drunk. You stink. Big time!"

I turned my attention to Kara and Astra who took turns singing several Christmas classics. Nice therapy for Nymphadora's earlier butchering. Both of my ladies had beautiful singing voices.


I cannot think of any better way to end Christmas than to watch a Christmas staple with friends and family.

Die Hard it is then.

What, you don't think Die Hard is a Christmas movie? Fifty points from Gryffindor for each of you heathens.

Bellatrix,Trixie, ah who cares, she's Bellatrix when she's looking so gleeful at the violence.

"Oh, all these explosions!" Arthur said in a gleeful voice. "I love the neat ways which Muggles make things blow up without magic."

"I know, right!" Bellatrix cheered.

Bellatrix Lestrange and Arthur Weasley fist-bumped. And I don't think I'm topping that if I tried.


To Be Continued.