Christmas greeted the Lupins and Natalie with cheer. Clearly Christmas was one of times that brought happiness and joy to the three people. Natalie loved her Christmas plans, Start the day with Remus and Grandpa Lyall and end it with the Weasley's and spending this festival with her family made her extremely happy. She was bouncing on Remus's bed on the 25th of December yelling "MERRY CHRISTMAS PAPA!" to which Remus covered his ears with his pillow and mumbled "To early Nat!" which was true but the girl couldn't sleep. It was 5 in the morning and the three of them had slept kind of late celebrating Nat's birthday. "But it's Christmas!" she reasoned. "Alright Alright I'm up!"
She handed him his present with a huge smile on her face waiting for her godfather to open it. Remus carefully opened the present his goddaughter gave him and inside was a beautiful charmed snow-globe that had soft music playing from it. It was so beautiful that Remus was lost looking at it. He then looked up at the smiling girl and hugged her. It was truly beautiful.
She then walked to her grandfather's room who was already awake and gave him his present which was a simple and warm jumper.
After a splendid Christmas breakfast, Remus and Grandpa Lyall actually went back to bed because they were still tired from yesterday's celebration especially Remus who had to work quite a few shifts to get three day's off for his goddaughter. So Nat just went back to her room and started painting with the new paint set from Aurora. She wasn't a very brilliant artist but when she was in the mood, she did paint a few decent ones. After a few hours she finished her painting. She usually painted her favourite type - The night sky because of which she always ran out of Blue, purple and white paints. By the time she was done it was lunch which was amazing again. She then collected her paints, brushes, pallet and art book and stuffed them in her already packed bag , went down for lunch and got ready to spend rest of the day with the Weasley's. Being around Fred and George made her a little hesitant but she left those thoughts away and walked to the fireplace after hugging Remus and Grandpa Lyall goodbye. "THE BURROW!" She yelled.

As she arrived in the Burrow she was greeted in a series of hugs by the Weasley's which she returned. "You're wearing the earrings!" Ginny exclaimed with a huge grin on her face to which Nat replied "Defenitly! I love them Gin Thanks a lot!". "All of you, thank you so much for the gifts. Love them all!".
Fred, George and Ron avoided her eyes but she let them be, she doesn't want to mope especially when its Christmas.
"We actually have your present here. Consider it as a late birthday present." the twins told her with a small smirk. Surprised, she took her gift that they were holding carefully and slowly opened it. Inside it was a charm of a snake. She sighed , "It's beautiful thanks guys!" she told them beaming afterwards. However as soon as she touched it to put it on her bracelet, her skin started changing and soon she had fake scales all over her hands and face. "Now you definitely are a snake!" they told her laughing. She then looked glum. How could they? It was Christmas and they had to point out she's different. It pissed her off but then she kept her calm. Sadly Molly didn't appreciate it and yelled at them "FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY! HOW CAN YOU BOTH DO IT? IT'S CHRISTMAS!". Fred and George replied "Mum! She is a Snake and we just wanted to remind you all that she will always be one. You can act that you don't care at all. But we all know you are just as disappointed! Don't bother hiding it Mum!". Nat was shocked, she was beyond shocked actually but she just kept her surprise inside. She wanted to just scream and cry! Molly was disappointed with her and she couldn't bear it. "OH DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT! WHAT HAS SHE EVEN DONE TO YOU BOTH!" Molly started screaming at them. Even Arthur told them "What's this boys? She is and will always be family!". She interrupted both of them before they could scream further. "It's okay Mum. They don't want me here anymore. I'll just leave. That bag over there has all your presents. I love you all. Merry Christmas!" she told them with a small choke and tears threatening to spill. As she got into the fireplace with tears flowing down her scaly cheeks, grabbed floo powder and ignoring the protests yelled "LUPIN RESIDENCE!" and with huge green swirling flmaes vanished from the Burrow.

Remus and Grandpa Lyall were in deep discussion and by the looks of it was a serious one when their fireplace erupted into life and from it a now twelve year old Natalie stepped out with scaly skin and fresh tears streaming down her face. Remus panicked and almost immediately went towards his goddaughter and held her arms. "Nat! What's this? What happened?" he asked her urgently, but Nat continued crying into her godfather's arms. Finally after a few minutes of crying she told them between a few sniffs "Fred and Geroge… pranked me...as birthday gift ...this "she lifted her new snake charm "said Molly and Arthur...disappointed in me...for being..in….in... Slytherin!".
"Oh dear! That's not true you know that. Slytherin is a great house. What did I tell you about Slytherin? Grandpa Lyall whispered to the girl.
"Slytherin is a great house full of people with Ambition, Resourcefulness and determination." she told him word to word she had byhearted from Grandpa's Lyall's letter.
"Exactly! And if the twins cannot see that, then it's their fault Nat. I have never said this but remember Sophia?" Remus told her. She nodded waiting to hear about this Mysterious girl.
"Sophia was a brave girl. She was fierce and above all she was your mother's bestfriend! The two were always together. She was one of my close friends too and guess what? She was in Slytherin too. And she had fought bravely in the first wizarding war, you know what happened to her after that." he told her. She nodded her head. Sophia was tortured to insanity by Alecto Carrow, Evelyn's Aunt or atleast that's what Dumbledore told her.
"Come on! I want to take you somewhere" Remus told her.
"What?" Nat asked shocked. Where did Remus want to take her and why all of a sudden?
"Trust me Nat!" he told her holding his hand out for her to grab. She held her now normal hand (Remus changed it back as soon she landed here) and with a CRACK! they dissaperated.
Since it was December it was dark already when they had arrived at their destination. Nat saw that she was looking at a snowy lane under a dark blue sky, in which the night's first stars were already glimmering feebly. Cottages stood on either side of the narrow road, Christmas decorations twinkling in their windows. A short way ahead of them, a glow of golden streetlights indicated the center of the village. Nat was suprised! Where were they? "Nat, Welcome to Godric's Hollow" Remus said answering her thought as if he could read them. "What? Godric…"Nat whispered. She could believe that she was here in the place she and Harry was born, where it all happened, Where spent the her with her parents before they were taken away from her by god. She was with her parents.
She looked at Remus with a sad and nervous smile. "I want to see them" she told him her voice barely a whisper but Remus heard her. He nodded and held her arm guiding their way. They made their way forward unhampered, the icy air stinging their faces as they passed more cottages. Any one of them might have been the one in which James and Lily had once lived . Nat gazed at the front doors, their snow-burdened roofs, and their front porches, wondering whether she remembered any of them. But she knew deep inside that was impossible, as she had been just three years old when she had left this place forever. She was not even sure whether she would be able to see the cottage that she had grew up for first three years of her life at all.

Then the little lane along which they were walking curved to the left and the heart of the village, a small square, was revealed to them.
Strung all around with colored lights, there was what looked like a war memorial in the middle, partly obscured by a windblown Christmas tree. There were several shops, a post office, a pub, and a little church whose stained-glass windows were glowing jewel-bright across the square. The snow here had become impacted: It was hard and slippery where people had trodden on it all day. Villagers were crisscrossing in front of them, their figures briefly illuminated by streetlamps. They heard a snatch of laughter and pop music as the pub door opened and closed; then they heard a carol start up inside the little church.
Then right there, behind the church, she saw it. A graveyard and she wondered if her parents tombstones would be there.
"Nat look there." Remus told her gently pointing at a war memorial. Instead of an obelisk covered in names, there was a statue of four people: a man with untidy hair and glasses, a woman with long hair and a kind, pretty face, a toddler (girl ofc) sitting in her father's arms and a baby boy sitting in his mother's arms. Snow lay upon all their heads, like fluffy white caps.
Nat drew closer, gazing up into his parents' faces. She had never imagined that there would be a statue... How strange it was to see herself represented in stone, a happy baby girl with her parents and brother or how it represented Harry, a happy baby boy in his mother's arms playing with his sister without a scar on his forehead...
She the turned towards Remus and together the walked towards the graveyard. There was a kissing gate at the entrance to the graveyard. Remus pushed it open as quietly as possible and they edged through it. On either side of the slippery path to the church doors, the snow lay deep and untouched. They moved off through the snow, carving deep trenches behind them as they walked around the building, keeping to the shadows beneath the brilliant windows. Behind the church, row upon row of snowy tombstones protruded from a blanket of pale blue that was flecked with dazzling red, gold, and green wherever the reflections from the stained glass hit the snow.
Remus guided her through the rows of the tombstones as if he knew the way. Nat knew that her godfather knew and that he did visit her parents but he never took her because it was too much to bear for him to watch his bestfriend's daughter look at their graves with sorrow but he had to eventually. So here he was after eight years with their first born child at their graves. Soon they were there facing her parents.

Their tomb was made of white marble, and this made it easy to read, as it seemed to shine in the dark. Nat did not need to kneel or even approach very close to it to make out the words engraved upon it.

JAMES POTTER LILY POTTER

BORN 27 MARCH 1960 BORN 30 JANUARY 1960

DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981 DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981

'The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.'

Nat felt empty. Completely empty. She stood frozen at her parents graves as her mind went blank and then it hit her like someone had hammered her head. Her heart broke as she sank on her knees deep on the snow. She felt like someone stabbed her and her heart wrenched. She soon had warm tears down her face again. She broke down completely, sobbing at her parents graves saying things "I am so sorry"." I wish you guys were here." I love you and I promise to keep Harry safe." . Seeing his god daughter cry broke his heart, and he felt stupid for bringing her here but Lyall had convinced that she had needed to meet her parents sometime. So he was here crying silently as he knelt beside Nat and pulled her to his chest as she cried. The both of them sat in the snow crying silently wishing James and Lily were there with them.
When Nat felt that she had no more tears to shed, she turned to Remus and whispered "White Roses please. I want to place them on their graves. Please." . Remus nodded and waved his wand and soon a bunch of beautiful white roses blossomed. He handed her the bouquet and watched Nat gently placed them on her parents grave. She then whispered "Mom, Dad. I love you. I hope you are proud of me. I'll make you proud!".
The two of them then walked out of the graveyard and went back home.

Grandpa Lyall was sitting on the couch of his living room when he heard two CRACKS! He knew it couldn't Remus and Nat because Nat couldn't apparate. So that means he had guests and went to open the front door and outside were four redheads. Molly and Arthur Weasley walked in with a small girl and a teenage boy. They looked at the old man and Arthur said "Mr. Lupin. I am so sorry for barging in but we just came looking for Nat. If you don't mind can we have a word with her?". "Good evening Mr. Weasley. First of all Merry Christmas and as for my granddaughter she is currently out with my son. If you could wait for sometime , then I'm sure you'll be able to see her. But I don't know how she'll be. You see they have gone to Godric's Hollow and I'm sure you can guess why."
Molly and Arthur stood shocked. Nat had gone to see her parents and here they were to call her back to the Burrow to spend Christmas with them. Molly decided to stay there till Nat returns because she wants to be there for her daughter. So the four of them sat in the living room of the Lupin Residence waiting for Natalie.
After about an hour a CRACK! was heard and in walked Remus and Nat both of whom were red from the cold and from crying. They had big puffy eyes and tear-strained cheeks.

Nat did not except to see the Weasley's when she got back but right there in front of her was Molly, Arthur, Percy and Ginny. Rubbing her eyes she gave them a small smile and said "Hi. Sorry I am a bit of mess right now". Soon she was pulled into Molly's arms. She hugged Molly back and stayed there for a few minutes. She felt safe to be Mum's arms, they were so warm and loving. She wondered how she would even survive if the Weasley's hadn't been a huge part of her life. "I'm sorry for walking out. I love you Mum" she told Molly. "I love you too my baby!" .
She was also hugged by Arthur , Percy and Ginny each for a couple of minutes. Her trip to her parent's grave were upsetting but she wanted to be there at the same time. Being with her parents gave her a sense of comfort as well depressing but she promised them she'll visit them whenever possible.
"Please come back with us. There is no Christmas without you Nat. "Ginny begged her giving her the famous puppy dog eye plus pout that made Nat's heart melt. Laughing at the younger girl she gave a small nod and turned to Remus to give him a questing look. He gave her a smile and nod in approval. Grinning she grabbed Percy's and Ginny's hands and hugged them.
After hugging Remus and grandpa Lyall she and Ginny grabbed Arthur's hands as Percy held Molly's and within seconds she was standing in the Weasley's house. Walking in she was engulfed into Charlie's and Bill's arms who were muttering profanities about the twins under their breath. Laughing at them she said "Don't let Molly hear you swearing." "And the Sass Queen is here folks!" Charlie stated. They all fell into laughter and standing in the hallway Molly and Arthur were smiling at their children. Nat always made the house more livelier (if that's possible) and they loved it.

Fred and George were in their room sulking because they got a full half an hour of screaming from their family (Minus Ron who was siding with them). Molly and Ginny were like Dragons breathing fire, A mother and baby dragon both of them angry. Even Arthur was angry at them. Percy went absolutely mad yelling "WHY DO YOU HAVE TO RUIN EVERY SINGLE THING YOU IDIOTS!". Charlie and Bill were mad at them too but they were bottling up their anger, and when Ginny demanded her parents to take her to bring Nat back, she along with Percy ,Mum and Dad left. As soon as they left Bill and Charlie started venting out their anger on the twins and then Ron started arguing back because he wouldn't dare to in front of his parents. They just stormed up to their room and sat down sulking. "Why is everyone thinking that it's alright? She's a Snake! And she will always be one!Did you see who she's friends with? Pucey! Higgs! Travers! And Lestrange! Like HER! Her mother was with the man who killed her parents! Doesn't that bother her! No ofcourse it doesn't! She's a snake and she's changing!" Fred ranted. He was furious with everyone. Nat was in Slytherin and it bothered him so much.

Soon they heard CRACKs! and muffled voices. They knew that it was their parents with Ginny, Percy and the snake. So they just sat there sulking.

Nat was happy to be with the Weasley's again but her visit to Godric's Hollow was still in her head. Atleast she spent a few hours with her parents on Christmas and she was kind of okay with it. Soon it was time for the presents for each of the Weasley's and she was excited to see their reactions.
First she gave Molly her gift and watched the woman open it. She had gotten her knitting materials because Molly loved to knit. The woman was pleasantly surprised to see her gift. She was genuinely happy and went to hug Nat.
For Arthur it was easy! Since grandma Hope was a muggle, she got Arthur a few muggle stuffs and Arthur loved each of it. His favourite was small toy of a ballerina. "That's a ballerina, a dancer who dances ballet. It a French form of dance, I thought you might find it interesting." Nat told him. "Nat! This is beautiful! I love it!" he told her. Grinning she handed Charlie, Bill, Percy and Ginny their gifts. Each of them loved their gifts and hugged her. There were three presents left each for Fred, George and Ron. She hesitated a bit. Molly saw her face and started "I'll give .. " but Nat interrupted her "No Mum, it's okay. I'll give them. I need to have a proper conversation with them anyway.". Giving her a sad smile Molly nodded. So started moving up the stairs to the attic to give Ron his gift first. Knocking gently she heard Ron snap "What? Who is it?". "Ron it's me Nat. Please I just want to talk." "I don't want to talk to you snake!". Her heart wrenched at that comment but then begged him "Ron Please. Open up!" she whispered. Hearing Nat's voice break Ron started feeling guilty. He hated Nat sad but he was equally stubborn. So he angrily walked to his door and opened it forcefully. There infront of him was Nat, her red hair was mess, her green eyes lost it's spark and it looked like she was crying for hours. He wanted to hug her and apologize but he restricted himself. He also saw she had a neatly wrapped present, now his heart wrenched because she didn't even wish on her birthday and here she was with a present for him. She extended her present out to him and said "Merry Christmas Ron! I wanted to say sorry! Hope you like it. I also hope you'll forgive for being a snake. It's not cursed I promised." with a small smile. "Don't worry I wont bother you again. If you ever want to talk you know where to find me." with that she walked away. Ron stood still with Nat's present in his hands wondering what he should do. He then closed his door walked to his bed and carefully unwrapped his present. Peering inside he saw it was a poster of his favourite quidditch team along with a tiny model of his favourite player - Viktor Krum, their seeker. He loved his present but he wouldn't dare to say it to Nat. Beneath it was another photo. It wasn't of anyone related to quidditch, Instead it was a photo of Nat and Ron with a note which said - If your reading this then it means you haven't smashed this photo which I'm thankful. Just wanted to say that I am the same Nat before I was sorted into Slytherin and I will always be one. Being a Snake doesn't change at all that I love you baby bro and I hope that one day you'll understand that I am always there for you. Love Snake."
He was now positively filled with guilt for acting so rudely to her, he carefully wrapped the photo with the note in a sweater and placed it on his shelf. If the twins come in to his room, he knew that they'll break it which is why he hid it.

Fred and George were still sulking when a knock interrupted their thoughts. "What? Came to yell at us for not liking our snake? Sorry we don't want to hear any of it. We wont change our minds." Fred snapped.
"Guys. It's Natalie. I know you wont open the door and I don't even know if you're listening. But if you are then I'm leaving your presents here. Its not cursed or anything I promise. Do whatever you want with it." they heard from the opposite side of their door and heard retreating footsteps.

Nat walked down to see the rest of the Weasley's expectant faces. Smiling she said "Well, I don't have scales and I am in one piece. No shouting! So it went okay. No one's dead!" . Laughing at her comment the rest of them talked and sang Christmas songs. Soon Ron joined them keeping his distance from Nat and she kept out of his way as well not bothering. She knew that when Ron is comfortable with her he'll approach him herself so she gave him his space and time. So overall she had fun. The twins came down for dinner but didn't say anything at all, but Nat decided that they are being idiots so she left them as well.
After dinner they sang and played games until midnight when Ginny and Nat was exhausted. Lying down in bed with Gin (Ginny felt asleep almost instantly) but Nat was wide awake thinking about her parents. Her eyes drifted to Harry. Was he having a good Christmas? Was he alright? Closing her eyes he thought "Harry! Wherever you are know that I love you. Your big sister is there for you sweetheart. You are loved! Mum and Dad loved you too. Merry Christmas!"
What Nat did not know miles away her baby brother indeed heard her voice in his head.

Christmas at Hogwarts was amazing for Athena and Aurora. On the morning of Christmas the girls woke up feeling refreshed. Aurora was digging into her present already but she saw Athena sitting in her bed shocked. It was the first time the girls had been together since Aurora had received her letter from her Gran. She was shocked that the last person she wanted to see her cry had had made her better. Athena Lestrange comforted her when she was down. Aurora was okay with Athena. The girls were in a way friends and they were happy.
"What happened Athena?" Aurora asked her .. well... acquaintance.
"I have presents?!" Athena asked her in shock.
"What do you mean if you have presents? Obviously you have presents! Its Christmas! Wait... you haven't got a Christmas present at all?" Aurora asked expecting the worst.
"I never got any presents apart from Draco and Aunt Narcissa who gives me a combined one. So one gift yeah." the blond girl whispered . It was true. No one bothered about her because she was invisible. Her parents were busy serving a lifetime sentence in jail and the rest of her family thinks she's some sort of disease. So she never got any gifts but seeing a small pile of presents on her bed shocked her. She felt bad for not buying anyone presents because she thought that they wont bother with it thinking it is cursed or something.
Aurora was shocked at what the girl said. How can someone who hasn't even hurt a fly be so mistreated. Deep down she hated seeing Athena so detached and alone. So she grabbed all her presents and walked towards Athena's bed and sat down. Athena looked visibly confused by the girl's action's.
"Since you think that you have no presents I say we open our gift together after all its a part of Christmas tradition. Also all my gifts are yours. Sharing is caring." Aurora said as she shuffled all the presents. Now both of them don't know whose present is whose.
Athena was shocked by Aurora's actions.
"Why are you so nice to me? After everything my family did to your's?" she asked.
Sighing Aurora told her "Athena, it was your mother who did it. Not you! My gran expects me to be like my family. What she doesn't understand is that I am my own person and no matter how much I look like her I can never be her because she's a different person and I am a different person. I am sure my mom would want me to be myself. And being myself means I chose my friends. I am sorry for judging you so quickly but Nat is right. One should never judge a person without fully knowing them or based on their family. I am sorry. But you deserve a chance. A solid chance to prove that you're not your mother and that's what I am doing. I know you are not your mother no matter if you look like her. You are Athena not Bellatrix. I heard what you told the twins at the beginning of this term and I knew from that moment you are a kind and loving person. Definitely not your mother. And hey your family is actually awesome. Cat and Dora are lit! They are your family after all. Sorry for ranting... I don't even know if you caught all of that."
"I did. Every word of it." Athena whispered. Athena heard every word letting it sink in and soon she felt something spread through her heart, something she rarely felt. It was a warm and fuzzy feeling that filled her nerves.
She felt happy. She was so thankful for having Aurora, Natalie and Catherine.
Smiling at the girl she pulled her into a hug and whispered "Thank you. For everything!".
"What are friends for?"
Soon the two girls were laughing and opening presents with beaming faces. When they walked down the hall for a Christmas breakfast hand in hand, the few students who had stayed back were shocked to see a Longbottom and Lestrange even talking let alone walking hand in hand as if they were great friends. Even the teacher's were shocked but Dumbledore had a knowing smile on his face ,his bright blue eyes twinkling.

Cat had an amazing Christmas with her family. The sisters had turned their hair red with bright green highlights. Andromeda and Ted almost had a shock seeing their daughter's hairstyle and soon laughed at their antics. The four of them opened presents and sang Christmas carols all along.
Their dinner was splendid. Cat stuffed herself but she still wanted ice-cream. Even though it was winter she love ice-cream and the bowl was on the opposite side of the table. But her parents were talking and Cat knew t was rude to interrupt them. But she wanted her ice-cream. She was looking at the bowl on the other end thinking for her it some to her and to her surprise it flew to her hands. Andromeda was shocked to see an empty bowl fly to their daughter's arms. "Catherine! You know your not allowed to do magic outside school! If you wanted that you could have asked either of us!" Ted scolded her. "But dad! I didn't do it. I mean I did but I don't even have my wand out! I don't even know how to cast non verbal spells let alone wandless magic!" she told her father. Shocked Andromeda and Ted gave each other glances. If their daughter had done magic outside school they would have received a letter from the ministry. So this could mean only one thing.
Catherine found her third power.
"Wait Cat. Can you do that again but this time with the spoon to your father." Andromeda told her.
"What? Why?" Cat asked her mom.
"Just do it. If it works we'll tell you!"
Sighing Cat looked at the spoon and concentrated with her mind to give it to her mom. The spoon was lifter from the stand and moved halfway in the direction of hers and then dropped. Her parents were surprised and had huge smiles on their faces.
"That was an excellent start dear! I think you discovered your third power! It's telekinesis!" Ted told his youngest daughter with a huge smile on his face. Andromeda and Ted looked proud and happy. But nothing could beat her sister's reaction. She turned her face into a duck and quacked loudly and then changed it back and yelled "YOU GO GIRL!" knocking the soup off the table drenching Cat in chicken soup. The entire table burst into laughter and Cat told her sister laughing "I appreciate your happiness Dora but I didn't expect getting drenched in soup as a gift!"
The Tonks's had a joyful and festive Christmas in their small and tight-nit family.

AN/: Hey guys! This was a rushed chapter. I'm going to do a time skip to Harry's first year (Nat's Third). Also I don't know how you celebrate Christmas (I don't celebrate it that's why) so please forgive me.