The next morning I woke in my bed in the same position as last night. I sat up in bed taking a look at myself in the mirror on my dresser. My hair was a right mess, pulled into a hair tie and got out bed. I padded over to the bathroom I shared with my brother. The bathroom was a mess. Hugo never seemed able to clean after himself. I picked out the dirty clothes and towels from the floor, placing them in the right baskets. The sink looked gross so I took out the cleanser to scrub the sink clean. I made my way around the room cleaning and scrubbing, it wasn't until a half an hour later that I was done. I just couldn't stand a mess. I washed my face and brushed my teeth before heading down to find some breakfast. I stayed as quite as I could, figuring my family was still asleep as I made my way down stairs. When I got to the kitchen I put some bread in Muggle bread toaster. I sat on the counter waiting for it finish.

"Mum, is it time to go to Grandma's yet?" Hugo said walking in the room his hair completely disheveled.

I jumped off the counter, "Not Mum, Hugo."

He oped his eyes wider, "Oh sorry, Rose. Do you know where Mum is? We usually leave for Grandma's by now. I thought I over slept."

I looked at him confused. When did he start going to Grandma's? Dad had always watched us in the mornings and early afternoon Mum taking over late afternoon and evenings. "Did Dad start working days?" I ask him.

He shrugged, "I dunno. Dad is always working and when he is not working he is busy doing something or another. He is never really home, probably already left."

"That's strange." I tell him. Again the boy just shrugs.

*DING, DONG!* Our Muggle door bell goes off through the house. I leave Hugo in the kitchen as I go to answer it. As soon as I open the door I feel a sudden gust of cold snow air hit the mud room and I hear a loud "BRIAR!" I see my Granddad coming towards me so I run to him not bothing to worry about the snow wetting my slippers. He envelopes me in a tight hug and I take in his comforting smell of whiskey, cigarettes and aftershave. "I've missed you Briar Rose."

I smile at my nickname from the Muggle story Sleeping Beauty, "I've missed you too, Granddad." I squeeze extra tight. "What are you doing here so early in the morning? Where is Grandmum?"

"Oh you know Grandmum, she is grabbing the groceries to make you and Hugo a proper breakfast." He smiles at me.

"Oh honestly, Peter, can't even shut the door?" My Grandmum asked walking past us.

"Grandmum!" I squeled. My Granddad let me go and I ran to her. She dropped all her bags hugging me as Granddad had done. My Mum's parents were some of my favorite people on the world. They always felt like home.

"Oh Briar. We missed you so much. Come, come lets get inside and you can tell your Granddad and I all about Hogwarts." She told me as she released me from her hug. Granddad started to pick up the bags we dropped and we all made our way inside.

Inside I see my Mum coming down the stairs dressed in Business robes, "Mum, Dad you are here. Did you drive in this weather? Why didn't you just floo."

"Oh we would have but you know the soot is just such a mess and all." Grandmum answered.

Mum nodded, "Well thank you for coming in any case. Ron and I really appreciate it. I must run to work. I'll be home by seven." With a loud crack and not even a goodbye my Mum had vanished to work.

I look at my Grandparents, "Does she always leave in a such a hurry nowadays?" They nodded together.

"Come Briar, lets fix some breakfast for the boys and talk about school." My Grandmum ushered me into the kitchen.

Hugo mumbled a quick "Hi." to the grandparents, then scampered off up stairs to watch television. As Grandmum and I started breakfast I delved into to telling them all about Hogwarts and my friends. I had quite a time catching up with them. They had loads of questions for me and just sharing my experiences made me so happy. They seemed to be quite thrilled I was having such fun.

After breakfast went upstairs to grab my homework. I sat down in the living room with Fritz and Granddad to work. Granddad was watching the Fishing Channel. I could never understand what was so interesting about watching people fish, but I enjoyed the time with him none the less. The day was turning out to be the perfect kind of day. I loved spending time with my Grandparents especially my Granddad, he was my favorite person in the world.

By noon time I had finished all my work. I got up from the couch to put my books away but before I could leave the room my Granddad called me back over to him. "Briar, put your foot up here." He told me patting his knee. I look down at my feet noticing my trainers are untied.

"Granddad you know, I know how to tie my own shoes." I smile at him.

He waved his hand down at me, "Let me take care of my baby girl. I am only going to be here so long to tie your shoes." I smile at him and place my foot on his knee. "There you go." I put my foot down and go back to putting my books away.

When I come down stairs I sit back down next to him. I look over at my Grandmum who is peacefully knitting away. I put my head down on my Granddad's shoulder and watch the fishermen on the telly. "What's wrong, Briar?" My Granddad asks putting his arm around my shoulder. My Grandmum looks up at us.

"Nothing." I tell him, not taking my eyes off the telly.

He grumbles, "I know better than that. You can tell me anything. What's bothering you?"

I really did not want to share with them the troubles I'd been having with Dad. I didn't even want to think about it let alone taking about it. So I replied with a simple, "Nothing." again.

He gave me another squeeze, "Well cheer up Christmas is almost here. You don't want Saint Nick seeing you all depressed." I gave him a smile trying to tell him I was fine. He smiled back and went back to the telly.

The rest of the day went by slowly as most snow days do when you don't have anything to do. I played a few Muggle video games with Hugo, played chess with Granddad and watched a lot of telly. The day grew on exceedingly boring. Around six Grandmum and I started on Dinner. My parents still had not arrived home. We had received an owl from my Mum saying that she was going to put in some over time so we didn't expect her.

During dinner we were shaken by a loud pop in the house. I bubble of anxiety grew in my stomach thinking of my Dad being home. Even though he had redecorated my room, I still was unsure how he would react to me. I wanted to go to my safe place in Hogwarts but couldn't I was stuck at the table to face him. I dug my nails into my arm trying to give myself the release but it didn't work. My dad walked into the dinning room, gave the four of us a wave, "I'm beat. I am going to relax in my room." He told us the disappeared into his room. No "Hi." No, "I missed you", nothing. Was this what our relationship was boiled down to?

After dinner I helped, Grandmum clean up. Mum still hadnt come come from work. Once the dishes were done, Hugo and I said our goodbyes to our Grandparents, with Dad being home there was no reason for them to stay. I was sad for them to leave. I had missed them so much, but my Granddad assured me that they would be back in the morning. I sat in the family room watching the telly until Mum came home.

When she did, she seemed rather cross I was still up, "Merlin, Rose. It's nearly midnight. What are you doing up?"

"I was waiting for you Mum." I tell her.

She looked at me with wide eyes, "Is something wrong." I shook my head no. "Then why on earth did you wait up?" I shrugged not knowing what to tell her. "Well, I am home now. Run along up stairs go to bed."

I did as I was told. When I passed Hugo's bedroom I could hear his video game system still going. I poked my head in there to wish him a goodnight. "Hue, Mum's home now. I am going to sleep. Have a good night."

He smiled at me, "You too, Rose. I love you."

"I love you too," I replied. I passed my parents room and heard the loud snores of my Dad I decided it was best to leave him alone. I crawled into my bed having changed earlier and cuddled up next to Meeps, quickly falling into a deep sleep.

The rest of my Christmas break went much the same. Mum and Dad would leave early in the morning and not come home until late at night. Meanwhile, Granddad and Grandmum would watch Hugo. It's not that I didn't enjoy my time with the Grandparents but I really missed mine. It seemed like they were too busy for us. Not until Christmas Eve did Hugo and I actually see them for more than an hour.

The four of us made our way to Grandparents house for dinner and presents. I told everyone about Hogwarts all over again. Hugo asked a ton of questions for when he went next year. Mum and the Grandparents seem quite pleased with the marks I had received my first semester. It was nice but Dad didn't seem that talkative, he was more interested in the telly.

After dinner we made Christmas sugar-free cookies and played Muggle board games. Again Dad had his eyes glued to the set. Come mid-night we opened our presents with the Grandparents. We were able to tear his eyes away at least for that. I received a lovely Green and Silver scarf , warm socks and blue jeans from my Grandparents. When all the gifts were opened, we said our goodbyes and flood to my Dad's parents house.

I walked out of the fire place, immediately the smell of my Nan's home cooking filled my nose. I looked around the cluttered mess and felt home. I loved both sets of my Grandparents but there was something about this house that just had this homey feel. I took in the comfort of the place, Hugo came through after me nearly knocking me over next my parents both flooed through. My Mum let out a cough due to the soot and Nan came bustling into the room. She pulled both me and Hue into a deathly tight hug. "I missed you both so much." She whispered into our ears, giving each of us a kiss on the cheek. She moved away from us and onto our parents. After she hugged and kissed both of them she turned back to us. "Hugo, you are staying in Uncle George's old bedroom with the boys. Rosie, you are staying with Victorie, Dom, Roxy, and Lily in Aunt Ginny's old bedroom. The girl's (Molly and Lucy), are staying with Uncle Percy and Aunt Audrey." She whispered to us. She turned to my parents, "You both will be up in your old room, Ron. Harry and Ginny are already up there."

"Thanks, Molly." My Mum hugged her again. "Are we the last ones to arrive?"

Nan shook her head, "No, Charlie has yet to show up. Working late even on the holidays. Bless him." We all nodded. "Well now scurry up on stairs and tuck in. Father Christmas can't come if you lot are still awake." She gave all of us a last hug and we made our way to rooms.

I open the door seeing my female cousins sound asleep. I found my way to the makeshift bed that had been made for me. I changed into my Christmas pjs for bed. I wasn't long until I was in a deep sleep.

Christmas was fun and it seemed as everyone in my family was mostly okay he rest of the holiday went by and soon it was time to return to school. Leaving wasn't going to hard as before. I would miss my family for sure, but I hardly saw them. I spent most of my time with my Grandparents and Hugo. My Mum and Dad weren't even able to drop me off at the train. Hugo and I floo'd over to The Potter's house.

I hadn't been there since summer and the House was just a chaotic as always. Uncle Harry was trying to pull Lily off Al's back as she hit for some spat that had happened before we had arrived, Aunt Ginny was running upstairs chasing a pajama clan James upstairs with a broom. They didn't eve notice when we stumbled in. Hugo and I walked over to the fighting pair, leaving my trunk and a sleeping Meeps by the fire place, to try to help Al get out of Lily's grip. When Lily saw us she immediately let go Al and shriek, "ROSE! You here!" I gave her a tight hug.

Al got up quick, grabbed the telly remote, "HA. I won." He said scampering of to the telly. Hugo followed him.

Uncle Harry removed his glasses rubbing his head. He looked as if he had a horrible headache. "Really, that is what all the fighting was about, the damn telly?" Lily looked at her Father sheepishly. Uncle Harry shook his head. He turned to me, "Sorry, you had to walk into that Rosie. How was break?" He walked over and gave me a side hug.

"Break was fine, thanks." I smiled at him.

He smiled back, "Good, you are Hugo already to go? You two came a bit early than expected."

I nodded, "Sorry about that, Mum and Dad left early and I packed last night."

"No worries." He smiled and left upstairs to see what Aunt Ginny and James had gotten up to.

"ROSE! Rose. ROSE!" Lily shrieked yet again. "We haven't a chance to talk. It was so busy during Christmas. You have to tell me EVERYTHING about Hogwarts." She jumped up so excited nearly pushing me down on the couch.

I sat down smiling at my overly bouncy cousin, "Alright, Lils what do you want to know?"

He sparking blue eyes filled with excitement, "Everything. I want to know everything. I am so jealous you and Al get go and have all these adventures with out Hugo and I. Its just not fair."

"You'll be there, next year, Lils. We can have all sorts of adventures then." I told her.

I sighed heavily throwing her head back, "I know that is so far away. I wish Mum and Dad would have let me go!"

I chuckled lightly, "Li, you know that you can't start until you are eleven. Trust me you be there in no time."

"Aright, but in the meantime tell me all about it. Merlin, I am so jealous." She stared at me waiting to spill.

I told Lily all about Hogwarts and she hung on to my every word. She had a million and three questions for me, I did my best to answer them. Half of the questions I knew she already knew the answer too having asked our cousins who went before but I knew I was just as excited before I left. It was funny, I had grown up very close to Lily almost as if we were twins but since going to school she seemed much younger than me. Before Hogwarts Lily, Al, Hugo and I were inseparable. We did everything together. We were closes to each other than we were to any of cousins but at the moment I just felt so much older than her.

She stared at me with her big blue eyes in amazement, everything I had said seemed to be the most important thing in the world to her. When I finished she took a deep breath, "Wow, that is just so... WOW. I really can't wait to go." She crossed her arms over her chest swooning. "I hope to be different with you and Al. I want to be in Slytherin. 'Magin all four of in the same house. It will be so much fun."

I laughed at her, "That not very different then. I think you should go in whatever house the sorting hat sees fit. There is not a bad house at the school, Lils." She smiled even bigger at me.

"Al, have you all packed up?" I heard Uncle Harry yell from upstairs. Al and Hugo came into the room.

"Yeah, dad we are just waiting on James." Al called back to his Dad.

"Good. You and Rose pack your trunks James is on his way down." He yelled back.

We took our trunks down to the car and loaded them into the back. Luckily the Potters had an SUV so we all fit. Al and Hugo hoisted the trunks while Lily and I took a seat in the back row. "Merlin, we should at least be able to magic to get these trunks around." Al said wiping his brow.

"Al, its like negative two degrees outside. The trunks can't be that heavy." Lily giggled at her brother.

"Oi, shove off Lily. You didn't have to lift them." Hugo told her.

James came and lifted his trunk in as well. "Well mates, ready for a term?"

Al, Lily, and Hugo grumbled. I smile, "Well I for one am."

James leaned over and ruffled my hair that because you are a little book-worm." The car burst into a fit of laughter.

Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny came to the car. "What's so funny?" Aunt Ginny asked.

"Nothing." We all replied in unison. Aunt Ginny shook her head and began to drive off.

The drive from the Potters to train wasn't a bad and we were there in no time. Once our trunks were loaded. I look Meeps from Lily and boarded the train with Al. James had already taken off with Fred. We walked down the corridor of the busy train looking for Jordie or Scorpius. Once we walked practically all the way down I spotted pink hair. I pointed it out to Al, he slid open the compartment and Jordie immediately jumped up hugging both of us. "Oh, I missed you both so much!"

I hugged her back tightly, "I missed you too!" We started jumping around like the giddy girls we were.

"Some sort of exciting news I missed." Jordie and I stopped jumping to see who walked in. When we saw it was Scorpius we screamed louder and jumped on top of him.

Al let out a loud laugh, "Nope just to crazy pre-teen girls."

Scorpius gave each one of a hug. "I see you two are excited to be heading back to Hogwarts."

"More than excited. My break was boring with out the three of you." Jordie smiled.

"I know how you feel." I said still holding on to Scorpius. I didn't notice right away but when I did I quickly let go or him.

"You all are nuts." Al smiled at us like we were all crazy.

"Oh Al!" Jordie grabbed him into a tight hug. "You love us."

Al turned scarlet. "That doesnt make you guys any less nuts." We all laughed. I realised this was the happiest I felt in a long time. My friends made me happy. Maybe that was enough, Maybe I didn;t need to ever go back to that room. Maybe I would be alright. Just maybe.

A/N: Another chapter done. Sorry It took long to get out, my life has been crazy to 100th degree. Luckily I had this story to turn to when shit started to hit the fan.

Enough about me. I hope all enjoyed this chapter please let me know! I have not received many reviews why is that? Is it me? It is the writing? Let me know so I can fix it!

Umm I really have nothing else to say. I hope you all had a great V-day. I did.

Anyways-

Love,

Harlow