Call me a wimp, but I really didn't want to go back home for Christmas Holiday. So when Michaelson asked me to go home with him, I jumped at the offer. I sent a letter off to my father and Ginny informing them that I'd be going away for Christmas, only to learn that they would be going to the Burrow for Christmas.

The last time I went to the Burrow for Christmas was when I was six. It was completely awkward and Molly Weasley keeps sending me these…looks. I don't know, but I'm pretty sure that Molly can't stand me. I suppose my conception ruined her dreams of Ginny and my father marrying. Yeah, right, like they didn't five years later. But, whatever.

Anyway, every since that Christmas I always stayed home with Miss Tonya when they went to the Burrow. Safer for my already fragile state of mind. But maybe I should've risked it anyway…

People have always told Maleah that she looked a lot like her mother and father. They said she was the perfect blend of the two: Caramel skin, thick raven curls, hazel eyes, nose exactly like the late Lily Potter, and the shape of her mother. The only person to say something bad about her looks was Ginny and that was said out of jealously, so you can imagine Maleah's surprise when, after one look, Michaelson's mother hated her.

Backing up. At King's Cross, a car was sent to pick Michaelson and Maleah up. Charles had graduated the year before as Head Boy. They drove to a small town with large homes just outside of London; stopping at a mansion that rivaled the one Maleah lived in.

The maid showed Maleah the guest room, and Michaelson gave her a tour. Promptly at 6:30, Michaelson brought her to a sitting room where Charles and a blond woman waited. Michaelson introduced the blond lady as Megan Michaelson, his mother. When Michaelson introduced her, Megan immediately narrowed her eyes and sent a cold toss her of hair and ignored her.

"Um?" Maleah asked.

Michaelson only shrugged. "She's always been a bit moody," he offered.

Ten awkward minutes later, a maid announced dinner. Charles sent her a small wink as they sat. Maleah noticed the absence of Mr. Michaelson and sent a questioning look to Michaelson. He shrugged.

"So, how long have you been dating?" Megan asked.

Maleah glanced at Michaelson who was stuffing his face. "About two months," she answered.

"Hmm."

Maleah looked around. "You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Michaelson. I love how you decorated it."

Megan narrowed her eyes at the younger version of Katia. The girl looked almost exactly the same as both of her parents. "Thank you," she said coldly.

Maleah picked at her plate. Dinner was a silent affair and Maleah sent a prayer of thanks when she was excused. Michaelson led her to his room and she lounged on his bed.

"Your mum completely abhors me," Maleah told him.

"I don't get it," Michaelson shrugged. "Mum is usually Miss Perky Sunshine."

"She looks awfully familiar," Maleah murmured absently.

"Yeah?" Michaelson ran his hands through her hair.

"Hmm. I don't know, it was like major de ja vu when I saw her."

"That's weird. Maybe you saw her on the street before," Michaelson suggested.

The image of Megan clicked. Maleah catapulted out of the bed. "Merlin," she breathed.

"What?"

"Your mum was best friends with mine," Maleah exclaimed.

"Uh, Potter, you've just cracked," Michaelson said. "Mum has never mentioned anything about Katia Potter."

"That's because she dated my father," Maleah cried. "They were friends and your mother introduced my father to my mother. They were friends for a while but then Daddy broke up with her and began dating my mum."

"That sounds completely-," Michaelson began.

"True," Maleah insisted. "I had this memory-type dream and it all happened and-."

"Maleah," Michaelson interrupted loudly. "Let's humor you for a moment. What happened to that friendship? If our mums were such good friends, why is it that we only met at Hogwarts?"

Maleah faltered. "I don't know."

Michaelson nodded. "Exactly."

"Don't you dare use that condescending tone with me," Maleah snapped. "I'm not crazy and stop thinking that I'm crazy!"

"What is wrong with you?" Michaelson asked.

"You think I'm off my rocker," Maleah accused him. "You think I'm completely barmy!"

"No I don't," Michaelson lied.

"Liar," Maleah spat. "My mother was an empath. It's my magical inheritance."

"Do you mean to tell me-?"

"It's not completely formed yet," Maleah said, waving her hand. "But I can sense strong emotions. Now you're completely terrified. Michaelson…"

"No," Michaelson shook his head. "I'm not, it's just…weird."

"I'm going to turn in," Maleah decided.

"Or you could stay here," Michaelson sang.

Maleah smiled. "Nice try, babe."

"Oh, come on, Potter, you know you want to," he teased.

"It's called discipline." Maleah kissed him. "I'll see you in the morning."

The next morning, Maleah ventured into the large garden behind the Michaelson home. She wore only the pajamas she wore the night before and shivered against the harsh wind. There were flowers and plants everywhere and Maleah's eyes automatically found the lilies. She'd always felt something when she looked at them and without a doubt, lilies were her favorite flowers.

She sat at a nearby bench and breathed in the fresh snow smell. When she opened her eyes she sat Megan staring at her with an odd look. "Good morning," Maleah said, warily.

Megan broke out of her trance. "Good morning," she said cordially. "What are you doing out here?"

Maleah flushed. "I was just looking at the lilies. They're gorgeous."

"Yes, they are," Megan agreed. She looked out into the expanse of the garden.

"Mrs. Michael-," Maleah began.

"Let's get something straight, Miss Potter," Megan spat. "I do not like you and I will be damned if my son continues to date the likes of you."

Maleah's jaw dropped. "I-Mrs. Michaelson, I really care about your son, and I'm sure that you could find many girls more attractive or smarter or even less screwed up in the head, but," Maleah began choking up as tears came. "I-I just really like him. I don't know what more I can say. I mean, what did I ever do?"

"If you're anything like your mother," Megan shot, "it's only a matter of time before your whore-ish ways hurt my son."

"I don't even know my mother!" Maleah exclaimed. "She died when I was eight and I can barely remember her smell let alone what she was like. I can't be judged for anything my mother did to you. And if you were a real friend you would have been happy that my mother fell in love instead of being insanely jealous and spiteful!"

Megan looked as though she had been slapped. "How dare you?" she screamed. "How dare you show up here and act as though you were the one done wrong? You get out of my house!"

Maleah stood to her feet, huffily. "Gladly!" Maleah shot back. "But I know that I won't be the one tossing and turning in bed because of a guilty conscious."

Megan looked shocked.

"Another thing that makes me like my mother," Maleah spat, "is the ability to read people. You might not want to hide whatever it is you're hiding for long. It might just blow up in your face."

Maleah flounced away and when she reached her room she began stuffing her things into her trunk, angrily. Michaelson walked in a minute later.

"Are you leaving?" he asked, confused.

"Your mother kicked me out," Maleah said through clenched teeth.

"Leah-," Michaelson started.

"Save it," Maleah demanded. "I'm not in the mood for some condescending phrase like, 'she's not usually like this.'"

By Michaelson's face, Maleah knew that was what he was going to tell her.

Maleah continued to throw things into her trunk even when she began to cry. Michaelson took her arms and brought her to him. "Chin up, Potter."

Maleah sniffled. "Ananda lives near here. I'll stay with her. We'll get together whenever." She backed away and let out a long breath. "Your mother-."

"Has no say in who I date," Michaelson promised.

"Now, who's an empath?" Maleah teased even though she was sure her face was flushed and her eyes puffy.

"I'm a man of many talents, baby."

Okay, so, short chapter? I'm not sure. I think this was about six pages on Word. Anyway, I usually like having at least the next three chapters written before I post a chapter, but I have no idea when I'll get a chance to write, so I figured that I'd just update anyway. So, hope you liked it!