A/N: This was the hardest chapter to write. Not for any emotional reason, but just because I wasn't pleased with it. I've reworked it several times, but I'm still not thrilled with it. So, I'm sorry for the delay, but I really just wanted to give you a good chapter, rather than something I threw together. I like the way the next one is shaping up, so, hopefully, I can have it posted quickly.

One other random note: I gave Remus's new friend the wrong name in the last chapter. For some reason, I was thinking of Molly Weasley when I was writing and typed "Molly" as her name. She's actually Maureen. I'm sorry if that causes confusion!

Thanks for your patience, and for reading and reviewing! Happy holidays!

I don't own the Harry Potter universe.

Home for the Holidays

Dear Remus,

I don't know if you've made plans for the holidays yet, but I would love it if you would join our family for the Christmas celebrations. Arthur and I would love the chance to catch up, and I know the children would be so excited to see you. Harry will be staying with us for the holidays; I know how much spending time with you would mean to him.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you'll be able to come. Of course, Olivia is more than welcome to come along, too.

Hoping to see you for Christmas,

Molly Weasley

Molly sent Errol off to deliver the message, hoping against hope that Remus would respond in the affirmative. She knew that he tended to spend Christmas with Dana and Olivia, but she had other plans for him.

She smiled to herself. If Remus agreed to spend Christmas with her family, she had only one other invitation to extend.

"So, what made you come here to live?"

It was the question Remus had been dreading. He and Maureen Kenning had been building a friendship for the past two weeks, but he was sure that this could be the issue that would end it all. Aside from the obvious detriment that would be caused to his mission, he didn't want to lose his new friend. He liked Maureen very much. In some respects, she reminded him of Olivia. She was incredibly kind, but had a temper and an edge about her that made him sure that she could hold her own in any argument. He was not surprised that she had impressed Greyback enough to be allowed to live in his colony.

"Remus?" she asked.

He shook his head to bring his thoughts back into focus. "It's sort of a long story," he said, heaving a sigh.

She frowned slightly. "Okay, we'll start somewhere more basic. When were you bitten?"

"When I was a little boy," he replied. He was dimly surprised that they had not had this conversation before. It tended to be the first conversation among the werewolves living in the colony – and, in Remus's case, it was usually the last.

"You waited a long time before moving here," she commented.

He nodded. "I was so young … too young to make my own decisions. My parents weren't going to give me up, so they raised me as they had planned before I was bitten." He smiled. "They gave me a good life – the best life I could have had under the circumstances. I didn't know another way to live. Besides, it was years before I heard about the colony. By then, my life was established. Living as I had always lived made the most sense."

"Do you miss it? Living as you used to?"

He looked into her wide, innocent eyes, and decided to answer the question with the same honesty with which it was asked. "Yes."

"So do I," she admitted. "I was only bitten a year ago … I guess it made sense to move here once I heard about it."

"Why did you decide that?" Remus asked curiously. He had never gotten close enough to anyone in the colony to have this conversation before.

"Well, you know how it is. You have friends, you have a life, but you have to leave it once a month. You live in fear that you'll accidentally hurt someone that you love." She sighed, her expression a bit pained. "I wanted to save my friends and family from me. Moving away … coming here … it seemed like the best decision at the time."

"Now that you're here … I get the feeling that you don't think that it was the best decision. Am I right?"

"No, I still think it was the right thing to do," she said. "I just miss my old life. I miss my family and my friends."

"Yeah, I know how you feel," Remus said.

"I suppose it's silly. I lived away from home when I was at school."

"That doesn't make it silly. You had your friends with you then."

"That's true. And I could write to my family. I get the feeling that that's frowned upon here."

"The occasional letter is acceptable," Remus affirmed. "But, Greyback doesn't like for us to have contact with the outside world."

She sighed. "I guess I'm upset now because it's so close to the holidays."

"Why don't you go visit them for Christmas?" Remus suggested.

She shook her head. "I don't think Greyback would approve of that."

"We aren't prisoners, you know. We are allowed to come and go as we please."

"Really?" she asked, perking up a bit.

"Really," Remus smiled. "I'm planning to go visiting over the holidays." His smile widened as he thought of the kind invitation from Molly. He had only just replied that he would love to spend Christmas with the Weasleys and Harry. He was rather hoping that Tonks might be there as well, but he didn't dare write to her to ask.

"But you just said that we need to limit contact with the outside world."

"I know. But, there are ways to make it happen."

"Such as?"

"Well…" Remus said slowly. "Plenty of people leave for the full moon."

"Why?"

Remus shrugged. "Everyone has their reasons. I'm not in anyone's inner circle, but there seems to be an unspoken rule that no one pries into anyone's full moon rituals."

"So we can leave for the full moon?" Maureen asked, her eyes beginning to sparkle.

"Yes."

"Which is around the holidays," Maureen said, her excitement practically bubbling over.

"Exactly," Remus grinned. "I'd say it's a pretty good excuse, wouldn't you?"

"Remus! This is just perfect! I really hated the thought of spending Christmas without my family."

"Yeah," Remus agreed, his eyes taking on a far-off look, "I can't wait to see my family, either."

Maureen looked at him critically. "I'd say you're thinking of more than just 'family.' Is there a special someone that you're excited to see?"

Remus smiled sadly. "Right now, my 'special someone' is my goddaughter."

Maureen's smile was just as sad as his as she replied, "Yeah, I know what you mean."

Laura had never been so miserable to go home to her mother for Christmas in her life. She had not been herself ever since leaving Pierre. She had truly clung to her friends in the time following that fateful day, and hated the thought of leaving them.

"It'll be fine," Carine said a bit desperately as the girls prepared to Floo home. "We'll be back together again before you know it."

"I don't know how I'm going to make it without you girls," Laura said, feeling the tears fill her eyes.

"Don't do that," Adèle said forcefully. "You aren't allowed to cry at Christmastime, Laura."

"Christmas is a week away," Laura said, trying to blink her eyes clear.

"Still … 'tis the season," Adèle smiled. She hugged Laura tightly. "Carine is right. It's going to be fine. I'm sure you'll have a great time at home."

"Right," Laura said with a shaky laugh. "I'll be stuck with my mother, who is probably thrilled that Pierre and I have broken up."

"I don't think she'll be happy to see you so upset," Carine said softly.

"Besides, you have others to stay with, right? Your godparents?"

Laura nodded, a small smile finally breaking through. "I'm sure that Uncle Remus and Aunt Olivia will let me stay with them if Mum gives me a hard time."

"There you go. See? It's all going to be fine."

"Laura! It's your turn!"

Laura hugged both girls one last time. "I'll miss you so much. I'll write you every day."

"We'll write back," Carine promised, kissing Laura's cheek. "Take care."

"Good luck!" Adèle called as Laura made her way toward the giant fireplaces to Floo home.

"What are you going to do when you get home?"

Maureen smiled, her eyes taking on a dreamy look. "I'm going to hug my niece and nephew. I've missed them so much."

"I'm sure they've missed you, too," Remus smiled.

"I have presents for them," she said. "I hope they like them."

"Seeing you will probably be the best present they receive," Remus said.

"It will be for me," Maureen replied. "When are you leaving?"

"Tonight."

"What are you looking forward to the most?"

Remus smiled. "Everything."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Maureen said. She hugged him tightly. "Just … don't get to attached, all right? Make sure you come back when the holidays are over."

"Oh, I'll be back," Remus said. "I don't really have a choice."

"Do any of us?" she smiled. "Take care, Remus."

"You, too."

She picked up her bags, and Disapparated, leaving Remus alone in his living room. He sighed, and turned to the task of packing for his own trip home.

"Anyone home?"

Olivia launched herself out of her chair so fast that it rocked back. "Remus!"

Remus laughed as she threw herself into his arms. "I've missed you, too," he said.

"I didn't expect you for a few more days," she said, taking his hand and leading him to the couch.

"I know. I decided to come home early," he replied. "I know that Laura's coming home today, so I thought that I would, too."

Olivia bit her lip. "Have you heard from her?"

"No." He frowned. "Has something happened?"

"Well … it's nothing terrible. I mean, Dana was thrilled when she read the news …"

"Liv, just tell me!"

"Laura broke up with Pierre."

Remus's eyebrows shot up. "Well. I didn't expect that to happen – not after seeing how close they were this summer."

"Yeah, we were all pretty shocked by it."

"All two of you?" Remus laughed

Olivia laughed with him. "No, I mean all three of us. Dana, Tonks and I."

Remus's eyebrows went up even further. "I didn't know that Tonks was so concerned with Laura."

Olivia nodded. "She and Laura are becoming quite close. I think that Tonks is stepping in as a big sister to her – you know, there's a vast difference between confiding in Tonks and confiding in Dana. Really, I think it's even easier for her to talk to Tonks than to talk to me."

"I remember you saying that before," Remus said. "I just didn't think that they would stay so close."

"Tonks just loves Laura," Olivia said. "I think she's really good for her."

A ghost of a smile flitted across Remus's face. "Who is good for whom?"

Olivia smiled with him. "It's a symbiotic relationship."

"How is Dana taking the news about the big breakup?" Remus asked.

"Well, you know she never thought Pierre was good enough for Laura, so she's not exactly heartbroken over it. I have a feeling that Christmas dinner might be a little tense, though."

Remus laughed. "Oh, that reminds me! Molly invited us over for Christmas. I already said that I'd go. Do you want to come with me?"

Olivia smiled sadly. "That's sweet of her, but I can't. I promised my mum that I'd go home for Christmas. I guess Dana and Laura are on their own this year."

Remus looked at her critically. "You don't seem very excited about going home."

She pressed her lips together and shook her head.

"Olivia?" Remus asked, reaching out to take her hand.

She tried to smile but failed as tears filled her eyes.

"Liv," Remus said quietly. He squeezed her hand. "Tell me. Please."

"It's my first Christmas without him," she said in a choked voice. "I just really, really hate the thought of what they'll all think or say."

"Everyone knows he was innocent now, Liv. I'm sure they'll feel badly for thinking the worst of him for all those years."

"They hated him long before we all thought that he was a murderer."

"Even so … I'm sure they'll be over it by now."

She shook her head. "You don't know my dad. He'll never admit that he was wrong. John is just like him in that. And my mum … she never thought that Sirius was good enough. I can't see them all changing the opinions they've had for years based on a little thing like the truth that has finally come out."

Remus sighed and squeezed her hand again. "You'll make it, Liv. You're one of the strongest people I've ever known. If anyone can get through this, it's you."

She smiled, returning the pressure on his hand. "I hope you're right, Remus. I really, really do."

Tonks moved throughout her living room as gracefully as possible, singing along with Christmas carols as she cleaned. She truly hated cleaning, which meant that she generally put it off until her house resembled as war zone. But, she always cleaned in honor of the holidays. It was one lesson that her mother had managed to teach her: Unexpected visitors are common during the holidays.

As if to affirm her mother's advice, a knock sounded on her door. Tonks looked helplessly around the room that had somehow become messier than it had been when she had started cleaning an hour ago. Knowing that there was no hope for it, she pushed her hair back out of her face and picked up her wand.

"Who is it?" she called as she approached the door.

"Molly Weasley, dear."

Smiling, Tonks opened the door to admit her visitor. "Hi, Molly."

"How are you, dear?" she asked as she stepped over the threshold.

"I'm fine," Tonks replied. "I'm sorry my place looks like this. I've been cleaning, and I've managed to get myself into quite a mess."

"Don't worry about it," Molly smiled. "I can't stay long, but I wanted to stop in for a moment."

"I'm glad you did," Tonks replied, leading her to the already-clean kitchen. "I love anything that distracts me from cleaning. Can I get you some tea?"

"That would be lovely."

"I'll have it in a second. Just have a seat."

"I actually wanted to talk to you about something specific," Molly said as she sat down at the table.

"Oh?"

"Yes. Do you have plans for Christmas?"

"Christmas?" Tonks repeated, putting steaming mugs of tea down in front of each of them. "Well, I'm on duty in the morning, but nothing beyond that. Why?"

Molly gave her a beaming smile. "In that case, I'd like to invite you to have Christmas dinner with us."

"Dinner?" Tonks asked, her eyebrows shooting up.

"You seem surprised," Molly said. "I know it's generally a time for family …"

Tonks shook her head. "My family has dinner together on Christmas Eve," she said. "I guess I'm just surprised you want someone who isn't family over for dinner."

"You are family," Molly said warmly. "Besides, Harry will be there."

"You're looking for Auror protection, then?"

"Oh, no, nothing like that!" Molly exclaimed. "Between Dumbledore and the Ministry, our house is as safe as Hogwarts. I want you to come as a friend – as family. I didn't mean to suggest that I wanted you for your skills as an Auror."

"Oh," Tonks said, her face relaxing a bit. "Will Bill and Charlie be there, too?"

"Bill is planning to come … Fleur will be with him, of course …"

Tonks smiled. "They make a nice couple."

"Yes, I suppose," Molly said with a strained smile. "Charlie won't be able to make it this year."

"Oh, that's too bad," Tonks said. "I had hoped to see him."

"Yes, well, he said he couldn't get enough time off to make the trip. We'll miss him, of course …" She smiled. "You know, there was a time when I thought that the two of you would be coming to Christmas dinner together."

"Yes, we all thought that," Tonks said. "But, I think things are better this way. We both get to do what we've always wanted, and neither of us resents the other."

"You're right, of course." She smiled. "And, this leaves both of you free to pursue others."

In an attempt to avoid a conversation about Remus, Tonks decided to continue down the line of Weasleys who no longer lived at the Burrow. "Will Percy be home for Christmas?"

"I don't know yet," Molly said, intently watching her spoon as it stirred her tea. "I know how busy things are at the Ministry right now …"

"Of course," Tonks said quickly. "So, the twins will be there, I expect?"

"Of course," Molly said fondly. "They'll come in on Christmas Eve, as will Bill and Fleur, and Remus …"

"Remus will be there?"

"Yes, I thought that I had said that at the beginning."

"No, you just said that Harry was staying with you."

"Oh, well, Remus will be joining us as well."

"Then I can't," Tonks said at once.

"What?" Molly asked in surprise.

"I won't come if Remus will be there."

"Tonks, what a thing to say! You know how fond Remus is of you."

"Fond enough not to write to me. Fond enough to completely avoid me."

"Tonks, be fair," Molly said. "You know that Remus has responsibilities to the Order, and you know that he can't stay in touch while he's living …"

"I know that he's not trying very hard," Tonks interrupted. "I know that he hasn't made any effort to contact me. And, Molly, I will not make the first move this time. If he wants this to work, if he wants us to be friends again, he has to be the one to get in touch. He has to be the one to take the first step. He has to be the one to seek me out."

"Tonks, don't you think you're being a bit ridiculous? If you want to be friends with him … or even more … you have some responsibility for nurturing the relationship, too."

She shook her head. "I've done my part. It's his turn, now."

"Tonks …"

"Molly, I'm sorry," she sighed. "I just can't come. Please, you have to understand."

"I don't see how I can understand two people who were once the best of friends completely avoiding one another – especially at Christmas."

"I can't do it again, Molly," Tonks said. "I've let him break my heart so many times before. I can't stand the idea of letting the same thing happen again. I won't set myself up for that pain again. I have to stay away. It's the only way I can begin to heal."

"All right, dear, if that's how you feel …"

"It is," Tonks said firmly. "It's for the best."

"Darling!"

Laura tried desperately to smile. "Hi, Mum."

Dana crushed her daughter to her. "I've missed you so much. How are you?"

"Fine," Laura replied. She pulled back and looked around the living room. "Where are Uncle Remus and Aunt Olivia?"

"They'll be over for dinner," Dana replied. "And Grandma will be here tomorrow."

Laura's face brightened. "Is she staying with us for the entire holiday?"

Dana nodded. "She'll go back to France when you do."

Laura smiled fully at last. Her grandmother would provide a much-needed line of defense. "I've missed her. It was strange not living with her last summer."

Dana nodded her agreement. "I know that she's missed you, too." She bit her lip, wondering if she dared to bring up Pierre. She decided to be delicate about the situation. "How are your friends?"

"Good," Laura said, collapsing onto the couch. She extended her arm toward her mother. "Carine and Adèle got me this bracelet for Christmas."

"Oh, it's beautiful!" Dana exclaimed, bending over to examine the piece of jewelry. "They're good friends to you."

"The best," Laura agreed.

Dana paused, then decided to try again. "And how … how are your other friends?"

"Mum, please," Laura sighed. "I know what you're trying to do, and I really just don't want to talk about it."

"Laura …"

"Look, I broke up with Pierre, all right?" Laura said, her irritation clearly evident. "I'm sure you're thrilled and want to discuss how this makes my life so much better, but I really don't want to talk about it!"

"Laura, stop," Dana said a bit harshly. "That's not what I wanted –"

"Just stop, Mum!" Laura exclaimed, jumping up off the couch. Her eyes swung to the clock. "When are we having dinner?"

"At seven," Dana replied, frowning in confusion.

"I'll be down at seven, then."

"And just where will you be until seven?"

"I'll be in my room." With that, she stalked off up the stairs.

Dana sat down hard on the couch, staring at the archway through which Laura had disappeared. She ran her hands over her face.

"It's going to be a long two weeks."