Author's Note:

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the opening lines of Dickens.

DISCLAIMER II: I do not own the words to the clue.

Reviews and Comments: To LifeonEarth: Denial Harry is quite entertaining, isn't he? Thank you! To Guest: I'm sorry that you can't stand Krum, but thanks for loving the rest of the story. To iKingAnomalyII: Thank you for saying it's one of the best you've read in a while. It will not take Harry until sixth year to get with Ginny. Dumbledore is taking a more proactive stance. Thanks for loving what I'm doing with Snape and being surprised by Winky. Thank you! To xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: Thank you! To Steelcode: Definitely can't say Death Eaters aren't creative LOL. Viktor and Hermione are sweet together, thank you! To scrappy8: Thank you! To Guest: Poor Crouch indeed, thank you! To sketchtheunicorn: Thank you! I'm glad the Winky as a spy bit surprised everyone! Thank you! To minerdude: Thank you! Yes, I thought having her care more for the boy she helped raise made more sense. It was fun to show Winky in a different light. Thank you! To Leaf Ranger: I' m so pleased that everyone is enjoying my Hermione/Viktor for the most part. I am really enjoying writing them which makes me feel bad because I like Romione so much LOL. As to Snape and Sirius, I wanted to show the slow build of trust between Sirius and Snape and I think that is slowly beginning to unfold with every task or step they do together. Thank you!

To cha-chris: Winky the evil elf, LOL. Thank you! To speedsONEandONLY: It's true, Dobby is going to be grateful that Kreacher helped protect Harry. It is better that Arthur went, I agree. Thanks for loving my moment with Zee and her boy. To Paola1991: Yes, it's not right that Sirius didn't inform the Weasleys about what their kids know and Arthur did have every right to be mad and he is also wise not to tell his wife. When Molly eventually finds out, she is not going to be happy; especially when she finds out her husband knew. Thank you! To geekymom: Thank you! To Matt9917: Thank you! Yes, Hinny is still a while off. To HGRHfan35: I love surprising people! Thank you! Kreacher is an awesome elf! To coloredwords: Thank you! Yes, there is still a possibility that Crouch Jr is impersonating someone I suppose. Thank you! To Wolf's scream: It is kind of success for Sirius and Snape. Thank you! To ClarieRoss: Thank you for saying Zee feels like a real character in the HP novels who could have been his godmother, I agree! Thank you so much!

To Kejta: Thank you! To Keyblade: Thank you for saying the Sirius and Snape conversation was very realistic as to how it happened in canon. Hinny will definitely happen sooner than in canon. Thank you for saying how much you've grown to love Zee. Thank you! To wheezing-reader: Thank you! To alix33: Thank you! To smallwji: Thank you for saying you always saw potential for Sirius and Snape to be friendly partners in this. To Moony The Sheep: Thank you! I'm glad Winky's betrayal was a good surprise! To Hellpony: Thank you! To Soveliss: Yes, FUVP will continue to exist, but not everyone will be privy to it, the Order is the other half of the coin. Thanks for liking my Hermione and Viktor. Thank you! To Jmcglynn522: Holy Hell Kreacher about sums it up LOL. Thank you! Kreacher has come very far and respects Sirius and therefore Harry and Zee and all for the love of Regulus. Thank you!

Also, remember that first Christmas present from Zee? :D

Thank you to Steel for giving me the idea of this newest spell for Misha to teach Harry. I love it.

Thank you to my Beta — SilverStarwolfe! — for not only editing but for her assistance with the bath scene.

My posting schedule: Once a week and sometimes on weekends.

As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!

Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-NINE:

The One Where Sirius Takes A Bath

When Harry walked in the front door on Christmas Eve, he was immediately glad to be home. Owls had already delivered some of his gifts that morning at Hogwarts, surprising him. He had opened them happily, pleased to see some new novels, new supplies for his broomstick servicing kit, new gloves, and a new scarf. Mrs Weasley had sent along a new jumper that was incredibly soft under his fingers which he eagerly pulled it over his head. His eyes had widened in surprise when he saw that she had knit a Hungarian Horntail on the front of it and he was incredibly touched by her thoughtfulness. She had also sent along some homemade sweets. But Harry was looking forward to getting the rest of his gifts at home with his family.

The house was fully decorated in a way that seemed bigger and more glamorous than ever before. He was a little bummed that he hadn't gotten to help decorate, but considering that he had come home later this year, he knew why. He immediately spotted the small differences in the living room space.

The couch had new throw pillows, there were some paintings on the walls that he recognized as having been in Zee's cottage, and a nice large throw rug under the coffee table. There were a few sculptures around which he knew had been made by one of Zee's Russian cousins, though he couldn't remember which one. The photo from the summer of Harry, Sirius, and Zee was now sitting in a frame on the fireplace mantle. But nothing much had changed.

It was still home.

Zee smiled brightly at him as she came out of the kitchen. "Harry!"

He grinned and happily engulfed her in a big hug. "I'm so glad that you're here."

She kissed his cheek, smiling brightly. "That means so much to me to hear you say that." She kissed him again. "Are you okay?" she asked, pushing him back to inspect him. "Did you sleep all right after we talked?"

He hugged her tightly again. "I'm fine. Thanks for letting me talk last night."

She kissed his cheek a third time. "Anytime. Go and put your stuff upstairs. Sirius is waiting for you to decorate the tree so that we can properly celebrate our Christmas Eve before we go to Ted and Andy's tomorrow."

"You're coming?" he exclaimed, grinning widely.

Zee nodded. "I am and the day after we're going to celebrate with my family in Scotland. You can't get rid of me now, mister, I adore you way too much."

Harry grinned and grabbed his bag from the floor before hurrying upstairs to his room to change. Marauder was asleep on his bed and he spent five minutes playing with his dog before he changed his clothes and attempted to fix his hair before he hurried back downstairs. Marauder followed him, eagerly looking for affection.

Zee sat on the floor to play with him and his tongue hung out happily as she scratched him behind the ears. She kissed the top of his head and he made a whining sound until she rubbed his belly.

Harry bent to play with his dog as well. "Is someone not getting enough attention around here?"

Marauder whined appreciatively as Sirius stepped into the living room, his eyebrows rising in amusement. "That dog gets more attention than I do. Don't let him fool you."

Harry kissed the top of Marauder's head. Sometimes he missed his dog more than he could put into words. Marauder seemed to realize this because he crawled into Harry's lap as if he was still a puppy and licked his chin, making his boy laugh. He rubbed him happily.

"Are we going to decorate the tree? Did you cut one down already?" Harry asked eagerly, his eyes on his father.

Sirius smiled and bent to kiss his son's forehead. "No. I waited for you, Prongslet — Harry," he corrected himself with a smile. "There's something that we have to take care of first though."

Harry glanced up at his father quizzically. "What's that?"

Sirius sighed. "I was going to do it this morning, but I decided that waiting for you was better since Dobby knows you."

"The house elf?"

Sirius nodded. "Winky's dead, Harry."

Harry's mouth opened in surprise.

Sirius quickly explained what had happened the night before.

"And Kreacher… killed her," Harry repeated, his eyes wide in shock.

Sirius nodded. "He was protecting us. I'm very grateful to him for what he did, but by the sounds of it, Dobby is her only real friend or family. He needs to be informed and I thought that since he seems to like you, having you with me would be good for him, to see a friendly face, that is."

Harry only nodded. "So, are we going back to Hogwarts to get him?"

Sirius shook his head. "Actually I asked him to come here for half past six. I figured that you'd just be getting home around then."

The sound of Apparition less than ten seconds later had all of them looking up. Marauder barked at him and Dobby merely held his hand up and Marauder immediately sat back down.

Harry grinned. "Wow, Dobby, how did you get him to do that?"

"Dobby knows how to handle animals, Harry Potter, Sir! Happy Christmas Eve!"

"Happy Christmas Eve, Dobby," Harry said, smiling. The elf was wearing a bright red beanie, a green knit scarf, and bright red socks around his Hogwarts uniform. "I like the hat."

Dobby beamed at him. "Thank you, Sir." He smiled brightly up at Sirius. "Harry Potter's family wanted to see Dobby?"

Sirius nodded and gestured his head towards the living room. "Yes. Would you sit down with us for a few moments, Dobby? I'm afraid that I have some bad news to share with you."

Dobby's eyes widened in alarm. "I is standing, Sir, t'would be disrespectful, Sir, to sit."

Harry smiled at him. "We would like for you to sit with us, Dobby. You are an equal after all, a free elf."

Tears filled Dobby's eyes. "Oh, Harry Potter is too kind to Dobby, Sir!" But he hopped up onto the couch, his small legs dangling off the end and he beamed when Harry sat next to him.

Sirius moved into the armchair, smiling when Zee sat on the arm and he took her hand in his. "Dobby, I understand that you're good friends with Winky?"

Dobby nodded. "Yes, Lord Black, Sir! Dobby has known Winky since Dobby was a wee elf! Winky's grandmother helped teach Dobby to sew, Sir!"

Zee smiled. "That's sweet, Dobby. Is Winky's family still around? Her grandmother, perhaps?"

Dobby shook his head sadly. "No, Miss. Winky's whole family was killed by dark wizards in the war. I is Winky's only family now."

Sirius nodded. "Dobby, I'm very sorry to tell you this, but Winky was killed last night."

Dobby's big doe eyes widened to saucers. "No!"

Harry reached out to gently touch the elf's arm. "Dobby, our house elf, Kreacher, do you know him?"

He nodded, huge tears rolling down his face. "Kreacher is a good elf! He always does what his family needs, Sir. He didn't trust Winky. I is not knowing why. Winky is a good elf, Harry Potter, Sir."

Sirius sighed. "Dobby, you're right, Kreacher didn't trust Winky and last night, Mr Crouch was murdered."

"I know, Lord Black, Sir. The elves heard his body was found. It was most gruesome, Sir. I is knowing Harry Potter and his Wheezy found it, Sir. Dobby does not want to think about it."

"And you don't have to," Zee said, offering him a small smile. "But… Sirius went to tell Winky that her old master had died last night."

Dobby's ears drooped slightly. "Poor Winky, she must have been so sad, Miss."

Sirius nodded. "She was, Dobby. But she also told me that her master had helped his son escape Azkaban and that his son was still working for Lord Voldemort."

Dobby's big eyes looked fearful.

Sirius let out a slow breath before he continued. "I took her in after Crouch freed her. She was distraught and I tried to give her a place to calm down and to help her figure out what she wanted and where she wanted to go. She betrayed me. Kreacher killed her to stop her from hurting me. If he wouldn't have jumped in to snap her neck like he did, Winky's actions would have caused both Harry and I to be killed. She's dead, Dobby. I am sorry for your loss, but I wanted you to understand what happened and to hear it personally from me."

Dobby was staring at him, his eyes wide. "She is wanting to hurt Harry Potter, Sir?"

"Not directly," Sirius said. "But she wanted to return to the son of her master who is working with Lord Voldemort. She would have gladly told him all of our secrets, which would have hurt Harry and myself."

"If Voldemort finds out our secrets, Dobby, he will come after me," Harry said, quietly.

Dobby looked fearful now. "Don't speak the name! Don't speak the name!"

"I'm sorry, Dobby," Harry said. "But to fear the name increases the fear of the wizard and I don't want to give him that kind of power."

Sirius squeezed Harry's shoulder reassuringly, staring down at him in pride as Zee stood up and moved to sit on the couch next to the elf.

"Dobby, as Winky's only family we wanted you to know what happened. Kreacher is responsible for her death and Sirius, Harry, and I believe that he was acting in self-defence to protect his family," she explained. "But if you think that this isn't true, we will help you get a formal trial for her death at the Ministry of Magic. We don't want to do anything that would make you think that we killed her for any reason outside of our defence."

Dobby nodded, tears still rolling down his cheeks. He was rocking on the couch now, large tears falling into his lap. He was quiet for a long moment and when he spoke, he spoke only to Harry.

"Harry Potter has been nothing but kind to Dobby. He is giving Dobby his freedom. He is visiting Dobby in the kitchens at Hogwarts. He is telling Dobby about Winky. He is treating Dobby like an equal, Sir. He is a good, noble, and honourable wizard. Dobby knows Harry Potter would never lie to him. If Kreacher killed Winky to protect Harry Potter and his family, Dobby knows that Kreacher did right. Dobby understands, Sir."

Harry let out a slow breath of relief. "Dobby, even if she did make a bad choice, we understand that she was your friend and we're really sorry that she died."

Dobby nodded his large head. "Thank you, Sir."

Zee placed a comforting hand on the elf's shoulder. "We would like to give her a memorial, Dobby, with your permission of course?"

Dobby's eyes widened. "You is wishing to help Dobby bury her, Miss? Even after she betrayed you?"

Zee nodded solemnly. "Despite her wrongdoings, we're sad that she died, Dobby. We wanted to help her. We didn't want her to die. If you will let us, we would like to bury her properly wherever you think that she would like, and to have a memorial service for her."

Dobby's face broke out into a large smile and he threw his arms around Zee. "Dobby is grateful, Miss! Dobby is honoured that you is wanting to help!"

Zee smiled warmly at him, patting him gently on his back. "You just tell us what you'd like and we will give her the memorial that she deserves."

Dobby used his scarf to blow his nose loudly. "Thank you, Miss, Lord Black, Harry Potter, Sir. Dobby appreciates your kindness."

Harry nodded as Dobby climbed off of the couch. "Dobby, if you don't want to be alone today, you are welcome to join us for our Christmas festivities."

Dobby's eyes widened. "Harry Potter is too good, Sir! Dobby is not worthy of your kindness!"

Harry flushed. "We just want to make sure that you'll be all right, Dobby."

"Dobby will be fine, Harry Potter, Sir. Dobby is helping with the Hogwarts feast. But thank you, Sir."

He nodded to them before he Disapparated with a loud crack and Sirius sighed.

"He's a good little elf. I'm glad that he's letting us help with the memorial and thank Merlin, he understands and doesn't want to bring Kreacher to trial. That's a headache that we frankly don't have time for."

Harry nodded, looking at the place where Dobby had just been sitting. "He is a good elf."

Zee was smiling at both of them. "I know that we don't really need a house elf around as we have Kreacher to pick up the slack anywhere needed, but have either of you considered asking Dobby if he would like a job? He idolizes you, Harry. You gave him freedom from abusive masters and he thinks the absolute world of you. I think if you were to offer him a chance to work for you in any capacity, he would be honoured to take the job."

"But Dumbledore hired him at Hogwarts," Harry told her. "He already has a job."

Zee smiled. "Hogwarts has hundreds of house elves, Harry. They would hardly miss one."

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. Do you think that we should, Uncle Siri?"

Sirius looked pensive for a moment. "Honestly, Harry, it's up to you. I think it would be good for Dobby to be with a family as opposed to Hogwarts and all of the hundreds of elves. Being free is frowned upon in the world of house elves so, I can't imagine that he's very comfortable there. Think on it and after Winky's memorial if you've decided yes, you can talk to him."

Harry nodded, wondering exactly what he would do with a house elf. "Wouldn't Kreacher be mad?"

Sirius smiled. "No. Kreacher is old and very devoted to us, of course, but he would never begrudge us for taking in another elf, especially if it was one who he knew was completely devoted to us. But you can talk to him first too, if you'd like."

The thought made his head hurt, but he nodded. He knew that Sirius and Zee were right. Dobby would probably be happier somewhere that wasn't Hogwarts, but he wasn't sure if he would want to work for him and Sirius, especially considering it was Kreacher who killed his friend Winky.

He would definitely have to think about it.

~ ASC ~

After Dobby left, it was almost half past seven by the time that Harry and Sirius went outside and into the woods to find their Christmas tree. Zee played Christmas songs on the wireless, pumping it through Sirius' surround-sound so that it played throughout the whole house while dinner cooked in the kitchen. She made him and Sirius dance with her and she sprinkled tinsel in their hair. She made gingerbread biscuits and cinnamon peppermint biscuits with peppermint hot chocolate for them to snack on while they worked as she knew how hungry Harry was from being on the train all day.

Sirius sang along loudly with the carols, making them laugh. But by the time the tree was decorated, Harry thought that it finally felt like Christmas. Zee made a pot roast with mashed potatoes and brown sugar carrots, freshly buttered green beans and fresh corn with buttermilk rolls. It was incredible.

Harry spent most of dinner telling Sirius and Zee about the Yule Ball. When he mentioned that Umbridge had been in attendance, Sirius had scowled. But he seemed relieved to hear that she hadn't tried to speak to Remus or Harry at all. When he told them about Ginny's boyfriend, Zee had only smiled and she found it interesting that Sirius hadn't noticed his son's rather jealous attitude. Zee did however notice that Harry glossed over quite a bit of it, she had gotten quite the rant last night and now he seemed to be trying to pretend like it didn't bother him that Ginny had a boyfriend. That was interesting, she thought with a grin. But she decided to keep it to herself for the time being. She would let Harry figure out his own feelings.

When they finished dinner, Zee convinced Harry to change into his Animagus form to play with Marauder in the snow. But mostly with her. He jumped and ran around the living room at first until she coerced him outside where Zee transfigured one of Marauder's toys into a new frisbee and tossed it. Puppy Harry barked happily, running after it. He tripped over his big paws in the snow and cried out when he fell into a rather alarming snow bank. Zee was laughing when she came over and picked up the puppy, snuggling him into her arms to help him warm him up.

"Did you get stuck in the snow? Oh, poor puppy," she said with a grin. She kissed the top of his head and set him back on the ground.

He barked and tore off across the yard after the frisbee again. They played for almost thirty minutes before Sirius came out and transformed into Padfoot, running across the yard to play with Harry. Marauder joined in, barking happily to have new dogs to play with as the three of them rolled around in the snow. Harry was half the size of Padfoot and Marauder and still obviously growing. Another few months and he would be a fully grown Tamaskan. Marauder gave up quickly and laid down to rest, watching Harry and Padfoot run around happily.

Zee watched them, a soft smile on her face as she stroked the neck of her panther. Lady Godiva was watching them play with a look of disdain upon her face, as if she knew that they could be doing better things with their time.

When they finally had enough, the three of them shook their coats full of snow and Zee shrieked in laughter as she was sprayed with cold, wet, dog snow. She led Marauder back into the house, drying him off and using a warming charm on him as he barked and licked her face in appreciation before settling himself in front of the fire and closing his eyes. Sirius and Harry transformed back into themselves and followed her inside.

Sirius sneezed when he entered the house and Zee quickly put a warming charm on him and Harry.

"Thanks, babe," he said, leaning down to kiss her. He smiled at Harry. "Merlin, it's after ten already. Why don't you run up and shower and change into some warm pjs? Remus and Tonks should be here soon so that Moony can read us A Christmas Carol in our regular Christmas Eve tradition. He said that he would come by around half past ten."

Harry nodded, the thought of a long warm shower sounding incredibly inviting. "All right."

"You know, I've actually never heard that story before," Zee told him as Harry hurried upstairs to shower and change into his pyjamas. "Strange, isn't it?"

Sirius wrapped his arms around her, leaning down to kiss her. "Nah. I'd never heard it until my first Christmas with Harry after I'd been released from prison." He kissed her again. "Want to have a quick shower with me, love?"

Zee smiled against his mouth. "Nothing with you is ever, quick, Black."

"Damn straight," he said with a grin. "But really, come wash my back?"

"Harry is here," she exclaimed.

"And he knows that we have sex," Sirius told her, his eyes twinkling. "I want to spread your legs under the hot water and use my mouth on you. After you worked me over this morning with that mouth of yours, I've been thinking of nothing else. Come upstairs with me."

Zee's face heated. "Remus and Tonks are going to be here any minute!"

Sirius nibbled at her neck. "Fine. I'll wash my own back. But once we go up to our bed, I plan on having my wicked way with you." His eyes travelled down her body slowly and then back up again before he turned and headed up the stairs.

Zee placed a hand over her racing heart. Damn that man, she thought in annoyance. Now she was aroused. She hurried up the stairs to change into some more comfortable clothes and to try to think of anything other than the very sexy and very naked man in the shower of their master bathroom.

The sound of Harry's shower going as well as the shower in the master bedroom made her smile. It was so homey, she thought. She locked the bedroom door, undressing quickly and grabbing a fresh pair of black velvet tights. She moved to the dresser to find warm socks to go with it and had just turned towards the bed to put on her tights, when a warm hand slid between her thighs.

"Sirius," she breathed. She hadn't even heard the shower turn off, but she could smell his shampoo.

His finger slipped beneath her knickers and into her, stroking softly. "Come for me, Zee."

Her fingers clutched the duvet desperately as he bent her over the bed, a second finger slipping into her and then a third. She buried her face in the duvet as he rocked his hand against her, stroking and kneading in just the right places and she cried out, the orgasm ripping through her.

He removed his hand, straightening her knickers before he kissed her neck and licked his fingers. "Happy Christmas, love." He slapped her bum playfully. "Now hurry up and put some clothes on. Remus and Tonks are going to be here any minute and you and your wanton ways are going to make us late."

Zee let out a strangled laugh as she watched him saunter back into the bathroom, the towel still wrapped around his waist. "You're going to be the death of me, Sirius Black!"

He simply turned and grinned at her. "You taste so bloody good and asking me to resist is just unfair to both of us."

She blushed and climbed to her feet. She hurried past him into the bathroom to tidy herself up, hoping desperately that the duvet had muffled her moans enough because she definitely hadn't thought to use a silencing charm.

Her worries were for her naught as when she stepped out into the hall five minutes later, Harry's shower had only just shut off. But when she came downstairs at quarter to eleven, Remus and Tonks were already in the living room.

"Happy Christmas!"

Tonks grinned at her. "Happy Christmas! Sorry, we're late."

"No, not at all! We were playing in the snow and needed to get some dry clothes anyway."

Remus stood up and smiled at her. "I'll make us some hot chocolate."

"That sounds lovely," she said with a smile.

Soon the five of them were all comfortably sprawled around the living room, snuggled under warm blankets. Remus and Tonks were curled up in the arm chair, Sirius and Zee were cuddled on one of the the couches and Harry had chosen to sprawl himself out across the living room floor, wrapped in warm blankets and snuggled with a content Marauder as Lady Godiva slept in front of the fireplace and they listened to Remus read.

"Marley was dead: To begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it…"

It was well past two by the time Remus finished reading. Harry was half asleep on the floor, his dog snuggled into his side.

"Guess he's getting too big for us to pick him up and carry him up to bed, eh?" Remus said with a smile.

Sirius grinned back at his friend. "We still could."

"Or you can use your wands and levitate him?" Tonks suggested, stifling her own yawn.

Zee smiled at them, bending down to shake Harry's shoulder gently. "Harry, Harry, wake up, darling."

His glasses were crooked on his nose as he blinked owlishly up at her. "Time's it?"

"Late," Zee said with a smile. "Go on up to bed, love."

He climbed to his feet, stretching hugely, his jumper riding up to expose his ribs. He said goodnight to everyone and headed up to his room, tossing his glasses on his night table before he fell face first into his bed. He smiled when he felt Marauder settle at the end of the bed and then he was fast asleep.

~ ASC ~

Harry was woken up by the sound of loud Christmas carols the next morning and when he went downstairs he was surprised to learn that it was already after eleven. But the late night of the Yule Ball, followed by the early morning train ride and then his late night with his family had caught up with him. He hadn't even gotten home last night until after six and by the time they talked to Dobby, decorated the tree, and ate dinner it had already been well after nine. It had been worth it, he thought with a grin.

He found Sirius and Zee sitting around the Christmas tree with Remus and Tonks. They opened presents, which included new clothes, new school supplies, and a magical pocket knife that did everything from working as a knife to magically opening any lock. Zee had teared up when she opened her gift from Harry. He had taken a picture of the two of them from the summer and had it etched onto a bronze Christmas tree ornament. She hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek before she proudly displayed it on their tree. They took pictures as they opened gifts and Remus made them French toast with scrambled eggs and bacon for brunch.

Harry helped clean up before he eagerly helped Zee make Christmas biscuits and tarts as well as a cheesy potato casserole to bring to the Tonks' for dinner that night. They were cleaning up in the kitchen when the Floo activated and he was surprised to see McGonagall step out into their living room.

"Auntie Minnie!"

She smiled brightly at him. "Hi, Harry! I was hoping to catch you." She laughed when Sirius engulfed her in a big hug, swinging her around in a circle. "Put me down, you fool!"

He kissed her cheek loudly. "Happy Christmas, Minnie!"

McGonagall accepted the glass of white wine from Sirius as she made herself comfortable in the living room. She filled them in on what had happened concerning Crouch's death and how the school was handling the alarming news of having his dead body displayed so prominently in their front entrance. The newspaper had already picked up the story, leaving some rather unflattering remarks concerning the safety of Hogwarts.

Sirius filled McGonagall in on his talk with Snape and Mr Weasley; telling her about Winky and how they were going to be having a memorial for her with Dobby's help once Harry returned to school in January. McGonagall thought that it was a nice idea and told them that she wanted to attend once Sirius had the details.

Harry had been surprised to learn about Snape and said as much. "He's the one who told Voldemort about the prophecy in the first place and now we're going to trust him all over again?"

Sirius sighed. "Yes, Harry, we are. I believe that he wants to do the right thing and that he truly wants to help get rid of Voldemort for good. I trust him."

"So, the Order of the Phoenix is going to be a real thing again?"

"Yes," Sirius said. "And no, not until you're seventeen."

Harry scowled at him. "But that's not fair!"

"Life isn't always fair," Sirius said simply. "You have more than enough on your plate right now with being a champion and keeping up on your studies. I am keeping you informed with our operation as it is. You don't need to join the Order."

McGonagall only smiled at him, nodding in approval at Sirius' words. "Speaking of being a champion — have you looked into your clue for the Second Task yet?"

Harry shook his head. He had been so preoccupied with the Yule Ball that he hadn't touched the Golden Egg since he had opened it in the common room after the First Task, he realized.

"No, um, not at all actually."

Sirius frowned at him. "Not at all? What have you been doing? Tomorrow before we head to Scotland, we're going to examine that egg. You need to prepare yourself, Harry."

Harry nodded. He knew that his father was right. He had to figure out what the Second Task was if he was going to prepare himself for it at all. They spoke a bit more with McGonagall about forming the Order, exchanged gifts, and she returned to Hogwarts. Sirius had given her season tickets to her favourite Quidditch team, the Montrose Magpies. She, in turn, had given Harry a book called A Wizard and his Animagus which talked about how to become one with your animal form, including how to use magic as an animal. Harry flipped through it, eagerly, remembering how Misha had discussed that possibility with him during the summer. McGonagall had also given him some sweets and a generous gift card to Quality Quidditch Supplies.

She visited for two hours before she headed back to Hogwarts and Harry, Sirius, and Zee headed to Ted and Andy's.

The moment they stepped into the house, Andy grabbed Harry, covering his face in kisses.

"Let me look at you! A Hogwarts Champion!" she beamed, kissing him again. "We're so proud of you!"

"Andy!" he exclaimed in exasperation as she hugged him tightly and continued to kiss him.

"Dora told us all about that Horntail. Merlin, Harry! That must have been terrifying!"

Harry shrugged, his ears burning red. "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

Ted grinned and pulled him into a hug once his wife had finally let go. "Brave idiot."

Harry grinned back as he hugged him. "It wasn't so bad — honest!"

Ted pat his back and let him go as they all settled themselves in the living room. "Well, let's hear it then. Dromeda and I have been waiting to hear all about your fight with the dragon."

Harry smiled as he made himself comfortable on the couch next to Tonks and Remus. He told them all about how Tonks had shown him Charlie and the dragons and how he had learned that he didn't actually have to fight the dragon, just get past them. He explained how all of the dragons were nesting mothers and why Charlie thought that was important and how Tonks had come to help him see that flying was a good option. When he got to how he used his Patronus, Remus spoke up.

"You should have seen it, it was incredible! The Patronus surrounded the dragon and each form attacked, keeping guard over Harry and distracting the Horntail enough for him to get by, and get the egg. It was very well executed."

"Zee said that you were injured?" Andy asked, her eyes full of concern.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, but Madam Pomfrey fixed me up pretty quickly. I was healed fully in a few days. It wasn't so bad."

Sirius scowled. "That dragon tore his back open to the bone, but oh yeah, it wasn't so bad."

Harry simply grinned at him. "I'm fine now, aren't I?"

Remus simply elbowed him lightly. "Sassy brat," he murmured making Harry grin in response.

They talked some more about the First Task and Harry told them about the Yule Ball. Sirius told them about what had happened with Crouch. Andy had frowned at that as Sirius spoke about Dumbledore reforming the Order of the Phoenix.

Ted nodded. "You know that I want in again, Sirius. I didn't stand by the first time and I don't plan on doing so now."

"Edward," Andy said weakly. "Last time you… it's dangerous."

"And how do you think the world's going to be if he comes back, Andromeda?" Ted told her, taking her hand in his and kissing her fingers. "I won't stand by and do nothing."

She stared at him, her face full of love and pride. "I'm going to be by your side this time."

Ted looked like he wanted to protest and she shook her head.

"Last time I let you allow me to sit on the sidelines because of Dora, but she's fighting this time. She's grown up, has been for some time now, and she's a powerful Auror to boot. She doesn't need me to take care of her. I want in."

Sirius smiled at her as her husband only nodded. "We'd be happy to have you, Andy. Anyone willing to help in any way is appreciated."

When they said goodnight and headed home, Harry was yawning from all of the good food and the long day.

He went to bed, sleep consuming him quickly with Marauder snuggled at his feet. He woke up early the next morning and found Lady Godiva sleeping next to his bed, surprising him. He wondered if she had slept there the night before as well. He bent down to scratch her behind the ears and her yellow eyes stared at him as if she mildly accepted the attention before she stretched and stood by his closed bedroom door, turning her head as if saying, 'okay you're up, let me out.'

He let her out of his room and decided to get up and take his shower. The house was quiet when he made his way downstairs just after eight so he poured himself a bowl of cereal and ate quietly in the kitchen. He grabbed his Golden Egg from his book bag and whistled for Marauder. The dog followed him outside through the snow and into the treehouse.

Harry settled himself in the warmth of the cabin. The warming charms that Sirius had placed for cool weather immediately warming the room. He sat on the cushions and pillows that provided chairs on the floor and sat the Golden Egg down, examining it closely.

The Golden Egg itself looked pretty normal. When he tapped it with his fingers it made a clinking hollow sound, reminding him that the egg had nothing inside of it, outside of that terrible screeching noise. He flipped the egg over, running his hands along the smooth surface, searching for anything, but it was clean and smooth except for the hinges. He sighed and tapped his wand over the top of it.

Nothing happened.

He carefully opened the egg half an inch.

Nothing happened.

He opened the egg wide and the loud screeching filled the treehouse. Marauder cried and buried his head under his paws. Harry tried to decipher what it was, but it sounded like a crying banshee. He slammed the egg shut, rubbing his head as Marauder gave him a look of great annoyance and left him alone in the treehouse.

He opened it again and the sound emerged. He tried to concentrate. What could the screeching mean? Was it just a sound? Was it another language? He couldn't imagine any language sounding like that; it sounded high pitched enough to shatter glass. He closed the lid again, shaking the egg and opening it up again. The screeching sounded a bit muffled this time, but still the same high-pitched sound that was painful to the eardrums. Intrigued that he had muffled the sound, Harry shook it harder, flipping it upside down as he opened it.

This time the screeching subdued and he swore that he heard music almost, but the screeching was so prominent that he couldn't figure out what it was.

What kind of screeching sound had music to it? Was it a song?

He scratched his head and lay back on the pillows, letting the Golden Egg screech loudly as he held it upside down over his head before shoving it under the pillow. The pillow definitely gave it a more muffled sound and this time he swore he could hear flutes.

He sat the Golden Egg in the middle of the treehouse, flipping it upside down as it screamed and leaving it there before he went to the chalkboard wall to help write his thoughts, which really were no help at all.

➾ Screeches like a banshee

➾ Flutes?

➾ Possible musical screaming?

➾ Different language?

➾ Muffled when upside down

He settled himself in the hammock, hands behind his head and his eyes closed as he just lay there, listening to the Golden Egg scream.

It was where Sirius found him thirty minutes later and he winced as he stepped through the door, moving to close the Golden Egg as Harry opened one eye to look up at him.

"Merlin's beard, that's a terrible sound!"

Harry only nodded. "It is. But what does it mean? How is that even a clue that I'm supposed to decipher?"

Sirius nodded, his eyes moving to the chalkboard. He tapped the fourth point. "You might be onto something with this one."

"Yeah right, who speaks like that in such a high pitch sound?"

"Well, it's definitely not a banshee," Sirius told him. "Their screams are fatal so putting one in a Golden Egg would clearly not be a clue, but a death sentence." He crossed out the first point on the board. "How long have you been out here?"

"Dunno, what time is it?"

"Half past nine."

"Since about eight," he said, sitting up. "Uncle Siri, what if I can't figure this out?"

Sirius smiled at him. "You will. It's just going to take time. Come on; bring it into the house, maybe Zee and I can help a bit."

Harry nodded, climbing out of the hammock and grabbing the egg.

Zee was sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea and eating toast and jam. She smiled warmly at him. "Good morning, Harry."

"Morning," he said, sitting at the table. "Sorry if I woke you."

She smiled. "You didn't."

"It's the egg," Sirius told her as he sat down. "That's what that god-awful sound was."

"Oh?" she asked, her eyebrow rising.

"I don't know what it is," Harry admitted. "But it sure is awful sounding. When I shook the egg and held it upside down it did get kind of muffled though and I thought I could hear some kind of music, but the screeching was still so violent and angry sounding that it didn't really help at all. Maybe my ears are just bleeding and I only imagined the music."

"He thought maybe it was another language," Sirius told her. "I'm not really sure myself."

Harry popped open the Golden Egg in the centre of the kitchen table and as soon as it started screeching again, Marauder whined and barked, running out of the room. Zee stared at it, looking thoughtful.

"Language might not be that far off," she murmured as Harry closed the egg. "Something about that is familiar to me."

"Familiar how?"

She smiled and shook her head. "I'm not sure yet."

Harry nodded and stood up, scooping the egg with him. "I'm going back to the treehouse to listen to this thing scream at me until it's time for us to go. Maybe something will come to me."

Sirius and Zee nodded as they watched him go. He stopped in the sunroom and grabbed some of the books from the shelf. Maybe if he listened to it while he looked through some books on defence and magical creatures, it would come to him, he thought.

Once he was comfortable on the floor of the treehouse once more, he popped open the egg, opening the book on defensive magic as he tried to tune out the sound of the screaming egg. After twenty minutes and a bit of a headache, he closed it with annoyance. He was never going to figure this thing out. And if he never figured it out, he wouldn't be able to do the Second Task.

He scowled to himself and stood up to pace the room. He moved over to the bookshelf by the wall, looking at the titles, but they were all books of fiction, some comic books and a few old toys. His eye caught something red and he moved closer to the shelf, shifting over a container full of Legos, and his eyes widened as he picked up the magnifying glass.

It was the first present that Zee had ever given him he remembered. He had forgotten that he had it if he was honest. The tool of a magizoologist to help him decipher magical creatures and their true forms. It measured levels, he remembered, magical levels, danger levels, and adrenaline levels. He could have used it with the dragon, he thought bitterly; maybe then he would have known when she was going to attack him a little faster and given himself more time to get out of the way.

He tossed it on the pillows in annoyance as he turned around, tripping over the egg. It sprung open again, screeching loudly as it spun across the room and Harry fell to the ground, wincing as he hit his elbow. He turned his head to look over at the egg and his gaze shifted through the red lens of the magnifying glass blocking his vision and his eyes widened in shock.

Floating above the egg were bubbles.

They glowed purple through the lens as they floated there, the screeching sound still loud and evident. He lifted his head to look at the egg and saw that it looked perfectly normal, but when he grabbed the magnifying glass and held it to his eye, the bubbles floated above the open egg once more.

Harry just about screamed in excitement. He jumped to his feet, grabbing the magnifying glass in one hand and the egg in the other, slamming it shut as he hopped onto the fireman's pole and slid down, running across the grass and into the house.

"Zee! Zee!"

"Harry?" she called out as he ran into the living room and saw her curled up on the couch with a book. "What is it?"

"Look!" he exclaimed in excitement, opening the egg and handing her the magnifying glass.

Zee accepted the lens, holding it up to her eye and looking at the egg.

"Do you see them?" he demanded.

She smiled as her eyes met his. "I do."

He plopped himself down onto the couch next to her, taking the lens and staring through the glass to watch the purple bubbles float above the egg. "Bubbles! There are invisible purple bubbles!"

Zee smiled and shut the egg so that they didn't have to scream over each other. "Bubbles are a good sign."

"If this magical lens worked than that means it's a magical creature, right?"

"It sure sounds like it," Zee said with a smile.

"And if there are bubbles, then that means that it must be an underwater creature, right?"

Zee smiled as she watched the wheels turn in his head. "I think that you're a lot closer to figuring this out than you realize. If you go back to the language idea, which I do believe has merit, what kind of magical creatures have their own language?"

Harry frowned, his brow furrowing as he thought about her words. "Well, like human-like creatures that can talk? Like house elves or centaurs or goblins and stuff?"

"Yes, but there are lots of magical creatures with abilities similar to humans. They live on different plains or in alternate realities and have their own governing societies and rules."

"Like fae or pixies?"

"Exactly," she said with a smile. "But none of those creatures speak in bubbles."

Harry nodded, frowning at that. Bubbles… that had to mean underwater creatures. He remembered that Uncle Remus had showed them Grindylows last year, but he was pretty sure that they didn't speak. "I don't know."

Zee smiled as she stared at the Golden Egg for a moment. "Bubbles are an interesting sign. I think that it absolutely means water and if it means water, that means you should put the egg under the water."

"It won't damage the egg?"

Zee shook her head, her eyes twinkling in mischief. "No, it won't. Sirius is in the shower right now."

Harry didn't need to be told twice. He grabbed the egg and booked it up the stairs and into the master bathroom. To his surprise, Sirius was not in the shower, but lounging in the large claw foot tub, his hair clipped out of his face in a stubby ponytail, the dark stubble damp from the water and the tub was full of rainbow and blue bubbles. His muscled and tattooed arms rested on the ledge of the tub and his eyes were closed, fresh cucumber slices over them.

Harry snorted. "Actually? A bubble bath? And why do you have cucumbers over your eyes?"

Sirius' head shot up so fast that the cucumber slices slipped into the blue creamy bubbles with soft plops. "Excuse me, this is my private time," Sirius said sharply, the glass full of mimosa in his hand as he crossed his legs at the ankles where they were lounging over the end of the tub. "Don't knock it until you try it."

Harry smirked at him. "What's with the cucumbers?"

"Some of us have to work hard to be this good looking."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh, brother," he said laughing when Sirius shot up two fingers.

"What do you need? Can't a bloke have a nice bath in peace?"

Harry continued to chuckle at him. "I can't wait to tell Uncle Moony this."

"Hey! Let's keep this between us, all right?"

"No way," Harry said with a grin.

Sirius sighed. "What do you want in return for keeping it a secret? If you tell Moony, he'll never let me live this down!"

Harry grinned wider. "And you think that I'm going to?"

Sirius sighed and flicked a bubble at him. "What do you want, you little twerp?"

Harry grinned wider and held up the Golden Egg. "Incoming!"

"What?" Sirius spluttered before the Golden Egg came flying over the edge of the tub, sinking through the bubbles and hitting him in the kneecaps with a big splash. "Fucking, ow! Bloody hell, Harry, why are you throwing this egg at me?"

Harry grinned from where he stood by the bathroom sink. "Open it, Uncle Siri!"

Sirius groaned and reached down between his legs to obtain the Golden Egg beneath the water and flipped it open, biting his lip in anticipation for the loud screeching, but to his surprise, a screeching never emerged. Instead a soft musical melody floated throughout the bathroom, echoing off the walls.

Harry's eyes widened in shock. "They're singing!"

"I can hear that," Sirius said with a grin. "One second." He pushed his face into the blue creamy bubbles to listen to the words.

Come seek us where our voices sound

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you're searching, ponder this

We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took,

But past an hour — the prospect's black

Too late, it's gone,

It won't come back.

"Are you writing this down, Harry?" Sirius called out, wiping soap off his face and repeating the words as they were sung.

"One minute!" Harry said, hurrying into the master bedroom and stealing the notepad and pencil that Zee had left on the night table. He flipped to an empty page as the song continued to sing and Zee came into the bathroom, her eyes widening.

"Sirius! Are you using one my rainbow blues bath bomb?"

He shrugged, reaching up to brush his hair back. "I want my skin to be lovely for you, darling."

Zee reached over to unclip his hair, grabbing a handful of it and tugging him close to kiss him. "You're lucky I love you, you prat. You owe me a rainbow blue bath bomb."

"Okay, enough with the bath jokes; jeesh, can't a bloke just enjoy some relaxation time?" When they both only continued to stare at him in amusement, he pointed to the singing egg under the water. "Write this down already!"

They listened to the egg sing four more times to make sure that Harry had recorded it perfectly before he let Sirius close the egg.

"Good, great," Sirius said from the bathtub. "Can I finish my bath in peace now?"

Harry laughed. "I guess."

Sirius snorted and held the egg over the edge of the tub, "and take this damn thing with you!"

Harry grinned, taking the egg from his father before taking his notepad, but instead of heading downstairs, he held a finger to his lips to tell Zee to be quiet and he grabbed the camera. He snuck back into the master bathroom and he snapped a photo.

"Get back here, Harry!" Sirius bellowed, his eyes narrowing.

Harry only grinned at him. "No way! Wait until Uncle Moony sees this!"

He hurried back downstairs with Zee on his heels, both of them laughing as Sirius swore at them from the bathroom. He sat on the couch, looking over the clue carefully as he tucked the camera into his lap for safekeeping.

"It's Merpeople, isn't it?"

Zee sat next to him. "Yes. They speak a beautiful language and it's said that their songs are sorrowful and melodic to listen to. If it is Merpeople, and I really do think it is, then the Second Task is most likely involving the Black Lake, which would mean Merpeople, Selkies, or even Sirens who are simply a different race of Merpeople."

Harry nodded. "You knew right away, didn't you? When you heard the egg?"

Zee smiled at him. "Yes, I can speak Mermish."

Harry's eyes widened. "So, why did you make me give it to Sirius? Why didn't you tell me it was Merpeople?"

She grinned. "Because it's up to you to figure out as much of the clue as you can by yourself. Sirius being in the bath was just a bonus. I knew that I had more bath bombs and I've been trying to figure out why they were missing — the prat."

Harry chuckled. "He's never living that down. I mean, he seriously had cucumber slices — over — his — eyes. I can't wait to show Uncle Moony this picture!" His brow furrowed as he looked pensive for a moment. "Back to the Merpeople though, the clue said that they're going to steal something from me?" He looked thoughtful for a moment and then his eyes widened. "Zee! If they take something… they can't come on land, can they?"

"No, they do have the ability to walk on land. Selkies live in cooler climates like the lochs of Scotland. They look like a half-human, half-fish and they can walk on land for short periods of time passing as human or disguise themselves as seals. But if they were to steal something, they would not hide it on the land, that's true. They'd want it to be somewhere they can guard and protect it."

Harry swallowed. "So, I would have to go into the Black Lake to find it?"

She nodded. "I think so, yes."

He stared at the words on the paper for a moment. "How deep is the Black Lake, Zee?"

"I'd say about two hundred and fifty metres," Sirius said as he came down the stairs. "There's a Giant Squid that lives in there after all."

Harry frowned. "Right… the Giant Squid. He's mostly friendly though, right?"

Sirius nodded. "For the most part. He likes the attention students give him. But he's not the only squid that lives down there. He's the only Giant Squid, that's true, but there are still some pretty monstrous-sized squids that live in the lake with acidic ink that can poison and kill not to mention Grindylows, Kelpies — I've heard rumours of sharks, but how true they are, I couldn't tell you. There's Selkies and Merpeople and large eels and massive catfish, and don't forget those little tiny black ones that look like tadpoles but eat human flesh."

"Not helping, Uncle Sirius," Harry said dryly, earning a grin from his godfather.

Sirius shrugged. "You asked."

"Okay, so… if the lake is roughly two hundred and fifty metres deep and there's all of these monstrous animals down there and the Merpeople have stolen something from me to hide; they would bring it into their kingdom, right?"

Zee nodded. "Yes, they would. I've heard the Scottish Selkie and Merpeople Kingdoms are beautiful. A sight to behold, but it is a kingdom, which means that it will be guarded and protected by their fiercest warriors.

Harry frowned. "How am I supposed to get down there and find anything? I can't breathe underwater that long!"

Sirius sighed. "There's the Bubble Head Charm? That works quite well and it will allow you infinite breathing as long as it stays intact."

"And it's incredibly dangerous, Sirius!" Zee exclaimed in annoyance. "If Harry is attacked by any creature and it gets close enough to his head to pop that bubble, he's done."

Harry looked pale. "I'm a goner then."

Sirius sat on the couch next to his son and pulled him into his arms. "No, you're not a goner. We'll figure this out, Harry."

"How?" he asked, desperately. "There's no possible way for me to breathe underwater for that long! The clue says that I only have an hour to find whatever it is they are going to steal from me! I can't be swimming around and holding my breath or I'll never reach the bottom! I'll never find it!"

"Hey!" Zee said, grabbing his hand in hers. "Panicking is not going to help. Sirius and I are here for you, Harry, and we are not going to let you fail!"

"How am I supposed to breathe, Zee?"

She brushed his fringe away from his face and kissed his forehead tenderly. "You have me and I happen to be a pretty damn cool magizoologist, if I do say so myself. I've spent time all over the world, Harry. I've picked up all sorts of neat tricks, including deep-sea diving off the coast of the Great Barrier Reef. I took lessons from a wizard a few years back and the two of us spent weeks exploring underwater creatures. I even wrote a paper on the seahorses that live in the Indian Ocean. Did you know that there's an entire community of seahorses that live there? They serve the Merpeople there as part of their royal guard."

Harry stared at her, eyes wide. "And you were under the water?"

"For almost two hours each time."

A slow grin spread across his face. "How?"

Zee smiled at him. "By learning the Scuba Diving Charm. It's not easy. It's incredibly complex and most witches and wizards find it quite hard to master. If it's not done correctly, you can suffocate yourself. But I think that someone who can produce such a powerful Patronus and who has already mastered an Animagus form, should have no problem learning it. We have almost two months to practice after all."

"And what if I can't learn it time?"

Zee kissed his forehead again. "Then we'll think of something else. But you can do this, Harry. I know it."

He beamed at her, letting out a slow breath of relief. "Thank you."

Sirius leaned in to kiss his son's cheek. "Guess we have to get some swimming practice in."

Harry nodded. "In the Black Lake?"

Zee shook her head. "Eventually. But I think we'll start a little closer to home and maybe see about getting you swimming in the English Channel. Where you learn the charm doesn't matter so much as you practice and perfect it."

"Swimming in January. Sounds fun," he said, dryly.

Sirius grinned. "That's what warming charms are for. Now, I think that it's time you hand me that camera?"

Harry smirked as Zee crawled into Sirius' lap to stop him from jumping towards his son as Harry got to his feet. "No way!"

"Come on!" Sirius said, standing up and taking Zee with him.

Harry made a beeline up the stairs, camera in tow as Zee attempted to stop him from chasing Harry.

There was no way Sirius was getting that camera, he thought.

~ ASC ~

An hour later, Harry, Sirius and Zee had made their way to Scotland to the Brown House for Christmas dinner. Harry had successfully gotten the photo from the camera and made copies before he gave Sirius back the camera with a big grin on his face. His father was less than amused, but Harry thought the photo was worth a million words.

Zee agreed with him.

Sorcha answered the door, kissing Harry's cheeks and hugging him tightly before moving to do the same to her daughter and Sirius. They found Misha in the living room with Callum drinking Scotch and snacking on cheese and crackers.

Harry was hugged by the two men as Callum squeezed his shoulder affectionately.

"There's my great-grandson! Heard you've become a Hogwarts Champion?"

Harry nodded, smiling at him. "I have, Sir."

Callum scoffed. "No, Sir, business, Harry! I've told you, it's Grandda!"

"Grandda, I have, and it's been more than I bargained for," he admitted.

Misha urged him to come and sit next to him, asking questions about the dragon from his letters. Harry grinned as he told them both about the dragon and about the Golden Egg clue that he had only worked on that morning. He explained how Zee was going to teach him how use the Scuba Diving Charm in an attempt to help him breathe under the water of the Black Lake for an hour.

Soon Uncle Brian and Auntie Jo arrived along with Dougal, Ellen, Jenny, and Ian. Harry found himself playing a game of football outside, laughing when Jenny kept levitating the ball away from her brother every time he attempted to kick it. They soon progressed to Quidditch, Harry borrowing Grandda's broom, and they played catch with the Quaffle. They were frozen by the time they went back inside to warm up with hot chocolate and biscuits.

They were just sitting down to dinner as Gran said thanks for the meal when the doorbell rang. Zee went to answer it and Harry heard her squeal in delight a minute before Colt and Flo came into the dining room.

Harry hurried over to them, grinning and laughing when Flo covered his face in kisses.

"Merry Christmas, Harry!"

"Happy Christmas, Grandma," he said back, hugging her before he moved to hug Colt, surprised by how much he had truly missed them.

Their portkey had been delayed, but they had wanted to surprise them. They all sat down to dinner, eating and chatting about the holiday and the family. Jenny told them about something funny that happened at work the other day. She worked at the Ministry of Magic in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, specifically in the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee. Apparently, someone had accidentally cast a charm in a department store in downtown London that made all of the clothing levitate and attempt to dress the many Muggles in the store. After using a quick memory charm, they had managed to convince the Muggles that the employees had all helped them pick out the clothing which in fact had not been flying around, but merely thrown around in an attempt to make their holiday shopping experience more lively and entertaining. Ian was studying to be a healer and almost fell asleep in his pudding due to the long hours he had been putting in at St Mungo's. He was studying to be a maternity healer, dealing with pregnancy and the first few months of newborn babies. Despite the long hours, he loved every second of it.

After dinner, they all made themselves comfortable in the living room as Grandda told his own family Christmas story about his ancestor who had gotten lost during a storm in the Scottish Highlands only to be guided to safety by a beautiful woman who seduced him and took him to her home in the land of the fae. He was made for storytelling, his voice calm and deep as he explained how love had brought them together and then torn them apart due to her being a fae and him a wizard. But on Christmas Day three hundred years before, they had married and settled here in this village, despite protest and started a family and lived happily ever after.

Harry smiled at the story, feeling full and happy, as he lay on the floor in front of the fireplace, his head resting on the pillows provided, and Lady Godiva lying next to him. It felt right being here. It felt like a family, he thought, listening to them bicker over how the story truly went — or according to Gran, what Callum had forgotten — then Uncle Brian telling his father that he had skipped over one part. Papa and Grandmama were holding hands as they listened and Grandma and Grandpa sat together on the other side of the room with the chubby orange tabby named Moe stretched across their laps.

Auntie Jo started talking about her greenhouse. She kept one year round to work on her flowers and plants. Misha stood up, tapping Harry on the shoulder and gesturing for him to follow him out into the backyard. Harry watched as Misha put up a large warming charm around the yard and grinned at him, muttering more charms quickly.

"See, now it is safe for you to perform magic vith your papa!"

Harry smiled. "The trace isn't still on me?" He knew that Sirius had authorized him to be able to use his wand at Black Cottage over the holidays but if he used it anywhere else that wasn't home or school, the Ministry would be immediately alerted.

"Bah!" Misha said, grinning. "'Ve are hidden from all that just like ve vere in Georgia!"

Harry grinned and pulled his own wand out of his thigh holster. "What are we studying today, Papa?"

"I like that you used the Patronus on the dragon. It vas smart and helpful. I vant to teach you how to expand it; how to make your Patronus extra strong!"

Harry's eyebrow rose in curiosity. "I'm listening."

Misha grinned. "It is how you use your Patronus to vork like the animal it is or in your case, animals they are."

"Isn't that what I did with the dragon?"

"Da, but this vould be bigger, stronger. You used it as a distraction, da?" At Harry's nod, he continued. "A distraction is good, but this vould make them fighters, solid forms to help you fight. Strong animals to guard and protect you."

"That sounds well, awesome actually," Harry admitted.

Misha grinned. "I know. So listen carefully to your papa. It is your Patronus that you cast so you must have a happy memory in place, a strong one, da? Then vhen the Patronus is formed you must imagine them as guards, you must mentally tell them vhere and how you vould like them to go vhether it is to vork as a shield for you, to stand in front of your shield charm already as extra protection or to guard another vitch or vizard for you. They are part of your magic; part of you, an extra arm for instance. As you know, the vords of the Patronus Charm 'expecto patronum' mean 'I avait a guardian;' someone to protect you and keep you safe from harm. This vill do that and so much more! I show you, da?"

He pushed up the sleeves of his robes and brandished his wand through the air with determination. "Expecto Patronum Familia!"

Harry watched in fascination as a dazzling blue-white bear emerged from the end of Misha's wand. The bear wove out in front of him, snarling and growling; he stood up on two legs, imposing and strong and glowing with power before he sat in front of Misha as if waiting for an order. Misha's eyes were on the bear and he brandished his wand again, but said nothing and the bear vanished appearing on the other side of Harry, flanking him as if he had been ordered to protect him.

"Wow," Harry said, quietly.

"Da," Misha said with a grin. "He vill do vhatever I need from him; attack or guard. He can vork as a shield if you vant. He is mine to command."

"I thought the Patronus Charm was mostly used as messengers."

"They are. They can be. But you have the potential to use it for so much more if you have the willpower to learn it."

Harry nodded and watched as Misha's bear prowled around them, its eyes moving all around as if looking for any sign of trouble. "I definitely want to learn how to do that."

Misha grinned widely at him. "Khorosho, I show you how." He gestured for Harry to point his wand. "Let's begin."

End Author's Notes:

(Russian) Khorosho = Good

Thanks for reading and please review!