Some days past, enough for the Christmas holiday to be close enough to smell and normal class structure to be obsolete. McGonagall was the only teacher able to hold some semblance of order in her classroom, so with exactly three days and fourteen hours left of their imprisonment, they sat in class taking notes on Cross-Species Switches.

A number of things were happening that should not have been happening. Remus was asleep, for one, but Sirius was convinced he was faking it even after Peter was able to sneak a few bits of parchment into his slackened mouth. James was too busy doodling an elaborate picture of Pevensie's large head using colour changing ink he found in the lavatory.

An aisle and a half over, Snape was reading his potions essay he was supposed to have saved for the holiday. Lily didn't understand why he finished it early considering he hated having nothing to do while he was home but she didn't press the matter. Especially now when she was rather preoccupied with what was happening behind her. She was looking sort of amused at where Mary, Persephone, Josie, and Eilidh sat. She was only sort of amused because she didn't think she had ever seen her friend struggle so much to control herself while she looked like an angry tea kettle. She caught Mary's attention by some miracle and mouthed, "what's going on?"

Beside her, Snape clicked his tongue and sighed.

"If you want to talk to them so desperately, Lily, just go," he hissed.

Lily left him muttering unintelligible words under his breath that she didn't care about enough to try and hear. She gestured to one of the Slytherin girls to switch seats with her in the nicest way possible and whispered, "what's going on?"

"Your friend is an absolute Scrooge," Persephone answered. "And I'm taking it upon myself to get her in the Christmas spirit." She grinned and started humming Jingle Bells.

Eilidh, beside her, grit her teeth and shook her head.

"I fucking hate Christmas," she muttered to Lily.

"How can you hate Christmas?" Persephone demanded, turning in her chair to face Eilidh.

Eilidh simply looked at her, her expression not quite a glare. Lily couldn't believe that she hadn't at least told her off yet.

"You know, Seph, maybe we should let up a bit," Mary suggested, awkwardly. Eilidh gave Lily a look that told her this had been a continual thing - a look that said 'do you see what I've been dealing with?'

"Oh, come on," Persephone groaned. "Not you too! Come on, chestnuts roasting on an open fire…"

And then it happened. Eilidh was out of her seat, Lily jumped out of the way and the next thing she knew Persephone's chair was hanging in the air while Persephone herself was on the floor, clutching her bum and wincing in pain.

Eilidh looked shocked to see the results of what she had done. The chair clattered to the floor. Eilidh's eyes softened in concern. A few students giggle nervously, other sniggered, everyone stared.

"Miss Nicnevin, to the Headmaster's office," McGonagall ordered. "Now!" she barked when Eilidh opened her mouth seemingly to protest.

She scurried out of the classroom and slowly made her way to the Headmaster's office. She knew exactly what she was doing and what the outcome would be but after she had done it, she couldn't believe that she had done it. But that's how it always was when she lost her temper. So, she was fully prepared to accept the consequences of her actions and whatever punishments Dumbledore saw fit to give.

It was unexpected to see Dumbledore striding down the corridor towards her wearing his travelling cloak.

"Professor," Eilidh greeted.

"I wanted some fresh air," Dumbledore explained with a smile. "Would you care to join me?"

"Er, yes, please." Though her statement sounded more like a question, some fresh air would clear her head and aid in keeping her temper further ensuring that she wouldn't argue with Professor Dumbledore.

"I've taken the liberty of summoning your cloak. I hope you don't mind," he said, presenting her cloak draped over his arm previously hidden behind his back.

"Thank you," she almost laughed. After so many years of knowing Albus Dumbledore, his unexpected behaviour shouldn't surprise her any more. She threw her cloak over her shoulders all the while expecting Dumbledore to lead the way out, but he didn't. He simply waited until her clasp was fastened and her fur-lined hood was drawn.

"Take my arm, Eilidh." He held out his arm for her and she, unsuspectingly, took it.

She had Disapparated many times before (side along only, of course,) and it was no longer an issue for her, but the unexpectedness of Disapparating on Hogwarts grounds threw her off and dizziness overtook her.

She leaned against a tree to catch her breath.

"I'm sorry, I should have warned you," Dumbledore said, a little amused.

"It's okay," Eilidh assured him, forcing herself to stand.

"I'd be foolish to suggest otherwise," he smiled again.

Once the world stopped spinning, she realised that the millions of trees were actually millions of trees and not the results of her dizziness, that they were in the thick part of a forest, so thick she had to squint her eyes to see between the tree trunks, and that, if she wasn't mistaken, they had not left Hogwarts grounds.

"Where are we?" she asked suspiciously. Even if they weren't in the Forbidden Forest, she had spent enough time in the dark wood to recognise cursed trees.

"The Forbidden Forest," he answered, beginning to stroll.

The thought that they were still on Hogwarts grounds was comforting, but Dumbledore was still being mysterious and was still in trouble.

"I've just been to see your mother," Dumbledore said, conversationally.

"Oh? How is she?" Eilidh asked because she thought it was the sort of thing she should ask.

"She's in good health. Unfortunately, my visit was strictly business so I can't tell you more," he answered. "Your house was festive and charming, I'm sure you're impatient to see it," he smiled warmly at her.

"About the dire wolves?" Eilidh questioned, keen on avoiding the subject he presented.

"Yes. Everything's ready. We're hoping to transfer them by the New Year," he answered smoothly like he hadn't noticed the abrupt digression. "I understand that you're quite fond of the direwolf already in your charge?"

"She told you about Odhran?" Delaney usually avoided talking about Eilidh no matter the company.

"Your Aunt Finley," Dumbledore corrected. "I've always liked her. She reminds me of you."

Eilidh wrinkled her nose at the intended compliment, forgetting her manners for a moment. It wasn't that she didn't like Aunt Fin, in fact, she was her favourite of the aunts, but she was so callous and high-strung that being compared to her struck a hard blow.

"Don't be insulted," Dumbledore pleaded. "She wasn't always… as she is now. Finley was once a very soft hearted, nurturing woman. However, those traits are often taken advantage of. Or, worst of all, they get mistaken for weakness and get stamped out."

He came to a stop and compelled Eilidh to do the same in such a way that her legs seemed glued to the spot. Eilidh could see nothing special about this part of the forest. It looked like it hadn't been touched by human hands in, perhaps ever. The plants were so wild and overgrown that they tangled abound Eilidh's ankles. She was sure that if Dumbledore had not been there she'd have been eaten by something wild and unheard of. There was still no guessing what Dumbledore was up to.

"I hope you understand what I mean," Dumbledore said, pulling Eilidh's attention away from the wild forest.

"Don't lose my heart," Eilidh guessed. It was advice her father had given her repeatedly and she had the inclination to believe that Dumbledore was about to tell her the same.

He nodded yes, slowly, his eyes turning sad, losing some of their twinkle. Eilidh couldn't fathom why.

"You have every right to be on defence," Dumbledore said, seriously. Eilidh hung on his every word. "But there are friends who, in my humble opinion, have proven themselves worthy of your trust. During this time of grief and pain, it's important that you surround yourself with love. And people who are not going to take advantage of your heart."

"Are you talking about me and Sirius?" she squinted at him, her jaw firmly set.

Dumbledore smirked at her and issued a soft chuckle.

"I am," he conceded.

"How did you know? About any of that?" she questioned.

"As your dear Aunt Maeve puts it, 'the elves know everything,'" The twinkle returned to Dumbledore's eye. "I wouldn't worry about Miss Evans either. Her temper gets the better of her, but she cares for you." He added as an afterthought, turning to the west, as a jest, mostly, "you seem to have that in common."

Eilidh felt oddly exposed, not uncomfortably, in fact, it was relieving, but it was odd to know that someone was paying close attention to her.

"I did bring you out here for a reason," Dumbledore said, turning back to her. "I hope you don't mind if I ask for a favour?"

Eilidh nodded and took a few steps closer to him.

"I need you to walk ahead of me, slowly. Don't be afraid and if you are, don't show it," Dumbledore instructed, very clearly. His instructions only made her nervous but she did her best to swallow it down.

Dumbledore nodded encouragingly and stepped aside, gesturing for her to continue west.

"Can'I ask what we're doing?" Eilidh inquired, uncertainly, carefully measuring every step she took.

"You may," Dumbledore said.

Eilidh still wasn't sure if he would answer She let the question hang in the air to see if he would carry on without prompting.

"What are we doing?" she gave up.

"Slow down," Dumbledore whispered, but it would have been impossible to miss the urgency in his voice. Her head snapped over her shoulder to glance at him so she could follow his gaze.

There was no mistaking the carved out hole in the Earth. Like a cave. Or a den.

Eilidh stopped, her stomach churning, forgetting Dumbledore's warning to not show fear.

"They're the Direwolves moving to your home. Their transition will be easier with something familiar to guide them," Dumbledore soothed, still standing at a distance. Eilidh shook her head in protest, she was too afraid to do much else. "Remember Odhran."

"They don't know me." Eilidh's voice came strong, her determination to prove herself correct winning over her fear.

"But they do,"Dumbledore argued. "You've attended this school for four years. They've seen you defend students younger than you. They've seen you helping Mr Lupin; one of their own. They know your heart, now they need to know that you're open to them."

Eilidh sighed and closed her eyes. Of course, Dumbledore would find a way to make a lesson out of a favour.

She stepped forward, more aware of her everything around her than she had ever been. She knew that Dumbledore did not move with her, he stayed behind with his hand deep in his pocket clenched around his wand. She saw a rabbit scamper away out of the corner of her eye.

Sunlight poured through the pointed ears peeking out from behind a mound. Soft tuffs of black fur swayed through the breeze. There were two more with muddy brown fur on either side of her. And two with snowy grey fur directly in front, staying low to the ground.

She spread her fingers and turned her palms outward. She lifted her head to avoid eye contact and breathed slowly, letting her muscles release their tension.

She could die like this. Her limbs would be torn apart probably faster than Dumbledore could draw his wand. She let herself feel her fear and resigned herself with the knowledge that she was the weaker species.

The Black wolf approached his tail swaying a little. He looked worse for wear; a wound running across his left eye still bled, scabs were forming along his right shoulder. He sniffed the ground around her feet worked her way up, his nuzzle resting at Eilidh's chest without strain. He pressed his nose over her heart, feeling the rapid pompom pompom of her heartbeat.

"He's small for an alpha," she observed breathlessly.

The wolf sat, his head tilted to the side.

"If I'm not mistaken, wolves are prideful," Dumbledore warned, sounding far away still.

"They're also practical. And self-aware." Eilidh smirked at him over her shoulder. "Hullo," she cooed, turning back to the wolf and extending her hand. The wolf merely twitched his ears. Eilidh thought it best if she kept her distance.

"Will you explain to them what's about to happen?" Dumbledore requested.

"Erm, you're going to come live with me," Eilidh told them, a little awkwardly. She had talked to Ohran before, of course, and knew instinctively that she understood but Eilidh still felt foolish in front of Dumbledore. "There's a huge forest, bigger than this one. It's surrounded by mountains. And there's a lake. And plenty of food and other wolves. We think you'll be happier there. And safer."

The wolf twitched his ears in response and licked around his mouth. His teeth looked rather sharp.

"Time for us to go, Eilidh, your next class will be starting soon," Dumbledore said.

"I'll see you later," Eilidh promised. None of the wolves moved so she backed away a few paces before turning her back on them.

"I think that went well," Dumbledore smiled proudly at her.

"I've seen better," Eilidh shrugged,

"I've seen worse," Dumbledore said, almost laughing.

He led her back along a clearly marked path, neither of them speaking. There seemed to be nothing to say.

It was Dumbledore who broke the silence when Hogwarts's tallest tower came into view.

"I think we might have been away longer than I accounted for," Dumbledore said, squinting between the trees. "I think we might have worried someone."

Eilidh followed his gaze and spotted a broad figure through the trees looking everywhere but at them.

"We're close enough to the school, I think it's safe." She could hear the smirk in his voice and would have been embarrassed about it under any other circumstances.

"Sirius!" she called.

Finally, he spotted her. His shoulders visibly relaxing before he jogged over.

"Professor," he greeted, pulling Eilidh into a tight embrace. Tears stung Eilidh's eyes, his hung making her realise just how intense meeting the wolves had been.

"I missed you," she whispered. She was still angry with him, yes, his counter move to her proposal had been petty and immature, but he was here now, comforting her before she herself realised she needed it.

He kissed the side of her head before pulling away, keeping his arm around her shoulders.

"We'll gladly take our detentions together," Sirius told Dumbledore, confident that that would be an option.

"That won't be necessary," Dumbledore chuckled. "Miss Nicnevin, I don't mind you telling your friends what you've seen but remember that the forest is forbidden and that no one is to enter without myself or Hagrid present."

"Yes, sir," Eilidh vowed, struggling to keep up with Dumbledore's wide strides.

Sirius gently urged her to rest against the wooden fence that surrounded Hagrid's pumpkin patch. Eilidh looked at him questioningly but Sirius only smiled. Dumbledore was forced to stop and face them.

"I believe Professor Haas is expecting you?" he reminded with slightly raised eyebrows, his beard twitching, hinting at a hidden smile.

"We won't keep him waiting," Sirius promised, but still stubbornly held his ground.

Dumbledore, being as wise as he was, knew how to pick his battles and this wasn't one worth fighting. He merely nodded, said, "I'll see you both at dinner," cordially, and continued his hurried stroll back to the castle.

"That was easy," Sirius muttered, watching Dumbledore out of sight.

"Seems like he's late for something. I was unexpected," Eilidh commented, her mind flickering back to the wolves.

Sirius took her hand to fiddle with her fingers.

"What happened back there?" he asked, cautiously. "In Transfigurations, I mean."

Eilidh shook her head wryly. She had lost her temper and was still ashamed of it.

"I'm just so done with all this Christmas stuff," she said, still feeling raw from the day's events. She suddenly became very self-conscience. It was bad enough that she had fallen apart in front of him once before, she was not about to do it again. And for no reason. She really needed to get a handle on herself.

She attempted to barge past Sirius to head back to the castle on her own but he caught her by the arm and pulled her back.

"Shouldn't you be with James," Eilidh said, quietly. If she spoke above a whisper she'd sound whimpery or she'd yell and she didn't want either. She was certain that she could squirm her way out of any emotional discussions should she need to and decided she would if the threat of tears became too great. That was before she noticed the details of his mood etched into his patient expression; from the set of his jaw to the glint in his eyes, Eilidh had never seen a man look so determined and focused, and she had met a lot of men. Nothing would get in the way of what he wanted, short of a squad of Aurors ripping him away. It unnerved her a little, she was usually the more stubborn one.

"We agreed that you'd be spending more time with James and less time with me," Eilidh reminded, firmly, her breath visible in the cold air. She crossed her arms over her chest, creating a physical barrier between him and her heart.

Sirius nodded solemnly as he took off his jacket to drape it around her shoulders. Eilidh's heart melted, her barriers against him dropped without her permission. Was it that easy?

"Did you ask for space because it would easier to push me away?" he asked, bluntly.

"I didn't ask for space, I asked you to spend more time with your friends." Eilidh pushed her arms through his jacket's sleeves, wondering how things got so muddled up once again. She thought her solution had been simple and clear, but now she supposed it made sense why he had been so sharp and distant with her.

"You're the one that wanted us to talk more. So, I talked more. Then, you tell me you don't want to talk to me outside of class. And now, you're doing everything you can to not actually talk to me. How is that not pushing me away?" Sirius demanded.

"I just wanted you to spend more time with your friends," Eilidh muttered, leaning against the fence. "Your friends are important and I don't want to get in the way of that."

"Yeah, they're important and they always will be, but -" Sirius sighed irritably. "You know if you want to break up with me, you should just do it instead of -"

"I don't want to break up with you!" Eilidh interrupted. He was ridiculous sometimes. Completely and utterly bonkers at others but this was senseless.

"Then what the hell is going on because you don't talk to me very much either. Especially when it comes to your family or emotional shit, you get all…" he trailed off.

"Bitchy?" Eilidh guessed.

Sirius's face fell. "I would never say that about you. I've never even thought it."

Eilidh sighed and tried to swallow around the lump in her throat. She avoided his eyes, knowing that what she was about to say would probably cause her emotions to overflow. "Right now, I should be packing to see my dad. But I can't. Because he's dead."

The word hung heavily in the air.

"I know that but -"

"I don't have a home anymore, Sirius," Eilidh said, her voice thick and terrifying. "My mother, my aunts, the people who are supposed to be my family don't want me around." She wiped her eyes on the back of her hand. "It's just hitting me really hard for some reason." She allowed Sirius to enclose her in his arms. She squeezed her eyes shut so her tears wouldn't fall. "I'm sorry. It's got nothing to do with you."

Sirius shushed her and kissed her head. "You need people, love," he murmured into her hair. "James wants you around. We all miss you…. Well, except Remus because he's been the only one able to talk to you."

"He's worried about the full moon," Eilidh chuckled.

"He could have just said that," Sirius grumbled.

"I wasn't trying to break up with you," she looked directly in his eyes, her arms still wrapped around him. "Total honesty," she swore.

Sirius rolled his eyes and smiled. "I let Pevensie get in my head," he admitted.

"Pevensie's an idiot," Eilidh grumbled, deciding it was much too cold for her face to be out in the open.

"Yeah, well…" he was quiet for a moment or two then he whispered, "everything's going to be, okay, you know?"

Eilidh melted into him. She couldn't stop her tears from falling anymore.

***Son of Whitebeard, I wish we could use emojis on here but there were certainly some Marlene's dead! vibes happening there haha :D

***Guest, aw that's so good to hear! Thank you :) and welcome!

***So, my life did a funny thing and actually decided to tell me when it was going to make me busy therefore allowing me to post beforehand.

...I'm weirdly nervous about this chapter and I don't know why but what's life without a little risk. (Brutal honesty in the reviews only!) Anyway, the promised Jily chapter is coming next :D akhdjshfuijwabiejbfi

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed :D

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Until next time,

Xo