"We're being followed," said Mr. Potter, while his wife peered through the bright red curtains in the living room.

"By who?" asked James, oblivious as ever.

"The Death Eaters" said Mrs. Potter, as Tingle the house elf appeared with a tray of tea and biscuits.

"Master Potter, you have been under the roof of Hogwarts, surely you would know that the death eaters are avoiding the castle, it wouldn't take a genius to know" he smiled as he passed James a cup of tea and the sugar bowl.

"Why are they following you?" asked James, ignoring Tinkle's snide remarks.

"Well, the death eaters are recruiting people," began Mr. Potter, taking the cup Tinkle was passing him and giving it to his wife, who had just sat down next to him. "This basically means, 'if you don't join us now, we'll keep following you. If you continue to avoid us, we will find you and . . ." he finished.

"So they'll kill you if you don't join them?' asked Sirius, concern etched upon his face.

"Well, yes."

"That's a load of bull, they wouldn't kill you. It's not a wise move on their part" Demi replied, as she picked up a small piece of toast. "If they're going to kill anyone, then it is most definitely going to be the intellectuals, Dumbledore, the minister of magic, law enforcement patrol, people of the Wizengamot" she explained, seeing the offended looks on Mr. and Mrs. Potter's faces. "After that they'll go after the Aurors, teachers, people who could rally up the rest of the wizards on our side. Finally, they'll wipe out all the muggle borns and half-bloods that aren't conforming. Eventually, Voldemort will have the entire Wizarding world under his nonexistent nose," she said smiling.

Everyone was quiet until Tingle burst out laughing, "Oh, mistress Dumbledore, you are quite the joker" he managed to breathe as he wiped tears of laughter off his face.

"Ah, if only he could hear all the stuff you say about him. His Death eaters would be laughing at him as well," said Mr. Potter, still red in the face from laughing.

"He has heard all of the stuff I say about him," Demi replied smiling. "While I was locked up, the other Death Eaters would watch over me. I would try and start up a conversation with some of them, and a few fell for it. I would make some snide jokes about Voldyshorts, and some would laugh or smile, I could never tell under their masks. Once, when Voldemort came to visit me, I made a knock-knock joke about him. Oh, he got so angry," she said laughing.

"Wait, you would make these jokes INFRONT OF HIM?" asked the Potters, featuring Sirius and Tingle.

"Well, yeah" she said, pouring herself more tea.

"Why?" they all asked.

"Cause I was bored," she said in an obvious tone. "Anyway, I'm going to go have a shower, I'll see you guys at dinner." With that she stood up and made her way to her room, with her trunk in hand.

"She really is something, isn't she?" asked Mrs. Potter, to whom all the others nodded in agreement. She turned back to James, "Is she still seeing Lockhart?"

"No, she broke up with him," said Sirus.

"Really?" asked the two parents.

"Yep. In front of the entire school too," he replied.

"Yeah, Sirius was happy 'bout that" James said, rubbing his side, as Sirius elbowed him.

"Is that so?" asked Mrs. Potter, while Mr. Potter eyed Sirius carefully.

"Well, she was going to break up with him, but she kept delaying it. Finally, after we all told her to stop being a wimp, she did it. That's why I was happy. Plus, he's a bit thick," replied Sirius. Drinking the last of his tea, he made his way into the kitchen, where he deposited the cup. Going back to the living room, he and James decided to unpack as well, and the two headed upstairs.

Lily walked up the drive with her parents. "Why didn't Petunia want to come to the station," she asked already knowing the answer.

"Well, she was at a friend's house," said Mrs. Evans, unlocking the front door.

"Oh, okay," said Lily, taking of her jacket and placing it on the hook by the door. "When is she coming home?"

"Well, she's staying in her friend's cabin, in the cottage area. Just by Norfolk. She's staying there for the entire break," her father said, trying not to make Lily upset.

"No, it's okay, I don't mind her not being here," Lily tried to say nonchalantly. She made her way up to her room where she began to cry. She sat on her bed, opposite from her dresser mirror. She looked at herself and immediately stopped weeping. She wiped her eyes quickly and brushed her tangled red hair out of her face. Just above the mirror was the picture of her, Alice, Kiaria, and Demi in the snow. "You guys are right, I'm better than that. It's not my fault. If Petunia can't handle it then it's not my problem." With that she opened up her side bag and pulled out another thick stack of photos, and began tacking them to the already-full wall.

"So, why do you think Professor Pavor hates Remus?" asked Demi as she combed her hair in the mirror. Sirius and James were both sitting on her bed.

"Well, Remus is a nice person," began James.

"Pavor is not a nice person," said Sirius.

"Everyone likes Remus," interjected James.

"No one likes Pavor," Sirius pointed out.

"Therefore, Pavor hates Remus?" said Demi, turning to face the two boys, an amused look on her face. "There's got to be more to the story than that," she said.

"What do you think it is?" asked James.

"I dunno. But there's something going on with Remus. I just don't know what it is," said Demi. She looked at the two boys, "James, Sirius, do either of you know?" she asked politely.

"Nope," said James.

"Beats me" replied Sirius, laying back on the bed.

"Aww, I really thought you guys would know. You spend day and night together," she said.

"HEY, WE DO NOT SPEND NIGHTS TOGETHER!" the two boys said, jumping up from the bed.

"I mean, you share a dorm together. You spend a lot of time with one another. I thought you might know, but I guess not," she said, laughing at the boy's reactions.

"Do not doubt our friendship, love" said Sirius. "It will only cause problems for us, and besides, we don't need any more problems in our relationship" he said, as he pushed a lock of hair out of Demi's face.

"What relationship?" she said, oblivious.

Neither of two noticed James' sigh and facepalm in the background.

"Come down you three, dinner is ready" called Tingle.

"Coming Tingle" they replied and they headed down the staircase.

"No way, do you really think she would do that to you?" asked Severus, as he and Lily wandered around the neighbourhood.

"Well, yes" she said, "I mean, look at the way she acted when she found out I was a witch, and then when I left for Hogwarts, and when we found out she wanted to be a witch as well. Obviously she hates me for life now. I don't think things will ever be the same between us."

"It's like I told you when we started first year, 'you can't let her ruin everything for you.' If she can't be mature and understand that this isn't fair, but that's the way it's going to be for life now, then it's good that she is avoiding you. It's the least she can do at any rate."

"Should I get her a Christmas present?" asked Lily.

"Did you just ignore everything I just said" asked Severus, laughing.

"No, but we're still family at the end of the day," she said.

"You're too nice, Lils," Severus laughed.

"How're your parents by the way?" she asked.

Severus looked at her, "same as they usually are. I think my dad might be home for Christmas this year. My mum's still not sure. Sometimes, I think about the day when he'll just get up and leave and he won't come back."

"Aw, Sev," said Lily, wrapping her arms around Severus, giving him a hug.

Severus stiffened up for a moment before patting Lily on the back as he had done earlier in the summer. "Don't worry about it. I mean, what's really the big deal. He's hardly ever at home anyway."

The two continued walking until they realized the time. They both headed to their own homes.

"Merry Christmas Sev" said Lily.

"Merry Christmas Lils" he replied.

Christmas morning . . . . . . . .

"James, Sirius, Demi, come down quick" called Mrs. Potter. She looked at her husband. Both were fully dressed in their Auror gear. The three appeared at the base of the staircase. "We're so sorry, but we've been called in for a raid in Norfolk. We'll try to be back soon. I'm so sorry." The two parents each gave a hug to the three kids before going out of the door. James peered through the curtain and watched his parents pass through the gate and disapparate.

James turned back to the group, "this is the second Christmas they've missed."

"James, I'm sorry," said Demi, giving him a hug, while Sirius patted him on the back.

"I'm not mad that they have to leave, I understand that they need to do it to keep everyone safe. It's just that, what if something happens?" he replied.

Demi and Sirius looked at each other, neither knowing what to say to comfort their friend.

"They'll be fine. They're amazing Aurors, don't worry about it too much," said Demi, trying to console James.

The three of them made their way into the kitchen to start on breakfast. Sirius and James sat at the breakfast bar, while Demi went behind the island and began pulling out pans and pots. Just then, Tingle appeared. "Mistress Dumbledore, please be settled I will make breakfast."

"No Tingle, as a Christmas present to you I will prepare breakfast and clean up after it."

"Mistress Dumbledore, you are so kind" tingle said, hopping onto one of the stools next to James.

"Anytime Tingle," she said. "Oh, could you please hold my wand?' she asked.

"Mistress Dumbledore, you know we house elves are not allowed-" he began.

"Tingle, I couldn't give a damn about what the ministry says. You can hold my wand. I trust you with my life" she said, holding the wand's handle out to Tingle who grasped it tentatively.

"Blimey love, I don't think I could ever give Kreacher my wand" said Sirius, pulling his wand out of his waistband.

"Who?" said Demi absentmindedly as she began slicing mushrooms and onions.

"My family's house elf He's a bit touched in the head you see. He also hates me" said Sirius.

"Remind me who actually likes you in your family," said James.

"My Uncle Alphard and Andromeda. That's it" Sirius replied.

"Small family, means you're very private" said Demi, tossing the sliced mushrooms and onions into the pan where they began to sizzle on the gas. The boys sat in silence as the watched her. She pulled out a can of beans, and began looking for the can opener. She continued looking until Tingle explained that he normally used elf magic to open the cans. "That's fine" said Demi. She dug her the nails of her left hand between the can's lid and the can and pulled. The lid flew of and she grabbed it quickly, while pouring the beans into a pot of the gas. She turned back to the three and looked at them, "anyone want any chips?" she asked. The three of them were too shocked to reply. "Okay, I'll make 'em anyway" she said. She began to peel potatoes, cut them, season them, and place them in the oven. In that much time, she pulled out the placemats, a jug of orange juice and a jug of water, cups, cutlery, and plates. Demi watched the pots sizzle and the heat fumes began to swirl from the pot. She took both the pan of onions and the pot of beans and placed them on the counter. The oven bleeped and she opened the door.

"Mistress Dumbledore, the oven mitts are in the third drawer on the left side," said Tingle as he poured some onions on his plate.

"Oh, don't worry about it" she said. She stuck her hand in the oven and pulled out the pan and placed it on the counter.

The three looked at her before digging into the food. Tingle gave her back her wand, still in shock.

"Delicious" said James.

"Amazing" said Tingle, as he tasted the food.

"You'd be a great mum, you know that?" said Sirius, looking up from his plate at Demi.

"What makes you think that?" she said.

"I dunno, just think you'd make a good mum" he said turning back to his plate.

They ate, making a little small talk before the front door opened. "Hello everyone!" said James' parents.

"We're in the kitchen," said James.

His parents walked in and saw them sitting at the table eating breakfast. "Short raid" they explained. "We're pretty hungry as well" they said, sitting down at the bar. Demi pulled out two more of everything and gave them to the parents.

They poured their food and after the first bite commended Tingle on his food. "Delicious" they said.

"It wasn't me who made the meal this morning, Mistress Dumbledore did."

The two parents looked at Demi. "Really?"

"Well, when I would live with uncle Aberforth, he would let me cook. To be honest, he's not a very good cook himself."

"How was the raid?" said James.

"Not too bad, just two rouge Death Eaters. Wreaked havoc on this poor little area of cottages. Had to send everyone back home," said Mr. Potter.

"Oh, not much of a raid than" said Demi.

"Nah, but that's what we have to file it under. We haven't got a section for 'Death Eater's wrecking Christmas' yet," said Mrs. Potter.

"Let's just hope it stays that way" said Demi and the others nodded.

Lily woke up Christmas morning and heard a loud voice coming from the kitchen. She hurried downstairs and saw Petunia and her parents sitting at the table. "And then these police people tell us we've got to home. So I got a ride with Anna."

"What are you doing here?" said Lily, sitting down at the table.

"Well, I live here the entire year, so I should be asking you that" she replied as she poured herself some juice.

"Well, I'm back for the holidays. I thought you were supposed to be in Norfolk," said Lily.

"Well, apparently some lunatics were going around causing mayhem, so I had to come back home. The police told us to leave. They didn't say how long it would take to catch them and they were sorry that they wrecked our holidays."

"Oh, how bout that?" said Lily, pouring herself some cereal.

Petunia pursed her lips before, "It's not like I wanted to come here. You were visiting."

"Petunia, apologize" said the girls' father.

"No, she's always ruining everything. Just because she's a freak, doesn't mean I should have to apologize everytime I say something. She's said loads of stuff to me and neither of you tell her to apologize," she sniffed.

"When have I ever said anything to you" said Lily.

"You and that Snape boy are always being rude to me."

"Sev isn't rude to anyone, it's actually quite the opposite."