A/N Hey guys! Sorry for not updating in a while but it was exam season so I had to concentrate on my studies for a bit!

Please review,

Veronica

Chapter 6

Harry POV

After the whole Halloween scare that we had, the weeks until Christmas seemed to fly by. I knew that coming to Hogwarts would be fun, but I never thought that it would be this fun. With midterms approaching, Alex and Hermione coaxed us into studying by making it really fun. Alex came up with a reward system, so that every time we reached a goal, we'd get to go outside and fly or do something fun for a bit, before coming back to study again. This means that All five of us passed the midterms with flying colors, with us taking the top four spots for our year. Alex and Hermione tied for first.

A couple of hours before we were due to leave for break, we were hanging out outside, with warming charms on courtesy of Alex and Hermione, talking and laughing while discussing our plans for the break. Draco, Ron, Hermione and I were going home, but it completely slipped my mind that Alex wouldn't be able to until it Draco asked about what she usually does during Christmas, forgetting that she's lived on the streets for a while.

'Well usually at this time, I'm having a lot of fun pickpocketing rude strangers, because, on the day before Christmas, there was always a rush on the streets."

Realization dawned on all of us as we stared at her. I don't get how she talks about these things so casually as if she was stating the weather and not the hardships she's already been through, even though she's only twelve.

"Wait," I say, suddenly having an idea, "why don't you come to Potter Manor for Christmas! You know my parents love you already and it would be so much fun! We can all meet up on Christmas day as well!"

"I appreciate the thought Harry, but your mother probably wants to spend some quality time with you, away from the Professor and student persona. Maybe next year, yeah?" Alex replies.

"Well, why don't we ask my parents!" I said

"Ask us what?"

Turning around we see my parents

"Mom, Dad!" I exclaimed while I put my head in my hands. "I wanted to know if Alex could come to our house for Christmas since otherwise, she'd be staying here all alone. Please!"

"Of course she can! I would love to have her over for the holidays, maybe she could finally convince you to do your work!" This was Mum. All of burst out laughing, except me, as tried in vain to convince them to stop laughing and that I did do my work.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to be a burden.." Alex started

"Stop right there! You could never be a burden to us. You are Harry's friend, and we taught him better than to allow toxic people in his life. So if he chose you to be his friend. I trust his judgment" Dad said kindly but firmly. Mum nodding in agreement.

Alex stood there for a couple of seconds before she waved her wand and her trunk, fully packed zoomed towards us. All of us stared at her in awe. "I've been wanting to try that one out for a while." She said smugly.

"Guys we need to leave now, otherwise none of us will be going home for the holidays!" Hermione exclaimed, picking up her trunk and starting to leave before mum and dad grabbed all of us and apparated to the train platform.

"Well, that's one way to do it." Hermione said, after gaining her bearings.

We all laughed. My parents and I told Alex that we would be apparating to our house, instead of taking the train.

Alex and I said goodbye to our friends with promises to meet up sometime during the hols before my parents apparated us to our porch.

A sharp intake of breath made me look at Alex, who was looking around with an unreadable face. The only sign that she was excited was her eyes. They shined with concealed awe.

My parents walked inside and Alex looked around before smiling. "So this is where you grew up huh? No wonder you're so spoiled!" She laughed as she said it to show that it was a joke and after a couple of seconds I joined in, my parents looking at us fondly.

"Harry, why don't you show Alex to her room while I get dinner started?" Suggests my mom

"Yeah, c'mon Alex! Your room is right by mine!" I exclaimed, before taking off down the hall

I hear Alex laugh and could almost imagine her fondly shaking her head before following me down the hall. I had strain to hear her footsteps as she walks and runs so lightly that it feels like she's flying. She's already caught up to me, despite me having at least a five-second head start, laughing all the way. I skid to a stop when I get to the wing that our rooms are in and only Alex's fast reflexes save us from a collision.

I do the best impression of a tour guide while saying "Welcome to the rainforest Wing! As you can see, there are four doors in this wing. The first one on the right is my room and the one right across from it on the left is going to be yours. The two other doors are also guest bedrooms and each of our rooms has an ensuite bathroom and a balcony with a fantastic view!"

Alex is laughing so hard that she's almost on the floor. She calms herself enough to say "So where's the little sister you told me about? Made her up when you were younger did you?" And she's laughing again.

I just stare for a second. I've never seen her this carefree about anything. Then I register what she said. "Hey! I did not make up my sister! She exists but shes with my uncles in Diagon Alley right now." Alex nods and walks into the room I said was hers. I follow but almost walk into her because she stops in the doorway. I look inside and see nothing really special. The room is smaller than mine, but by no means actually small. It looks normal to me. The walls are painted a light blue color and the bed is against the wall farthest from the door. It has darker blue duvets and a couple of throw pillows that my mother insists are in every room. There's a balcony opposite the bed and a bathroom close to it.

"Harry. This isn't a room its an apartment in itself." Alex stated, shaking off her shock.

"Well whatever it is, It's yours now. Permanently." My dad stated, startling me as I hadn't realized someone was behind us.

Alex turned around to look at my father. "Permanently? But I'm only here for a week you know?" She tried to joke but I could hear the underlying emotion at her having a proper place to stay for the first time in what I suspect is many years.

"But you are welcome to come back any time. I mean it. Any time." My mum said, having joined us. "Now it's time for dinner. Roe is already in the dining room and I'm sure she's excited to see you!"

I smiled at being able to show Alex I didn't make up my little sister as well as the prospect of food.

I grabbed Alex's hand and started running all the way to the dining room, my parents amused chuckles following us. Slowing to a stop right before I got to the dining room and then walking in calmly. I wouldn't admit it out loud but I loved my little sister. She was adorable, innocent and sweet, I also had a feeling that Roe would love Alex as she would help bring out my little sisters' mischevious side.

"Harry!" Roe shouted, running up to hug me "You're home! The manors' so boring without you! Mum and Dad won't let me play outside past eight o'clock without you here, it's also no fun to pull pranks without you!" she pouted, letting go of me and finally taking notice of Alex, who was watching this exchange with an amused smile on her face. "Oh hi! Are you Harry's girlfriend?" Roe asked with an innocent expression on her face. I was horrified and started trying to stutter out apologies to Alex while also admonishing Roe, however, Alex just laughed and said: "No, I'm not but I am a girl and I am his friend" while bending down so she was at Roe's level. "So I heard you liked pulling pranks huh?" When my sister nodding enthusiastically Alex stage whispered "How would you like to pull one on your brother and parents? And maybe uncles to if we can get them all together? I have one I think would be really funny"

"Yes! Yes! I can never pull off a prank on my uncles if you help me I'll…" Roe trailed of there not quite knowing what she would give Alex in return, before exclaiming "I'll love you forever! And you can be my sister!"

"Well I've always wanted a sister, so I better make sure we can pull this off yeah? Now, why don't we go sit down and eat?" Alex replied. She let my sister pull her over to the table and obliged as Roe patted the seat next to her.

Dinner was a fun affair, Alex talking and joking with my family, including my uncles who had joined us. I could uncle Padfoot and moony had taken an immediate shine to Alex, knowing her background as well as her intellectual prowess.

When my uncles had gone home. Roe had to go to bed but refused unless Alex could come tuck her in. My parents and I watched as Alex sung my little sister to sleep - she really had a beautiful voice - and tucked her in gently before walking out. She and I chilled in the library until we too had to go to sleep. Saying goodnight, we both went into our rooms. I fell asleep almost as soon as my head touched the pillow, with a smile on my face.