Hello Readers! Just to let you know that I will be taking abreak from writing this series, the commitment is too much as I don't have enough time. I'm going to improve my writing by writing (and posting one shots) I do, however hope to finish this one first.

I do not own Harry Potter

Before we knew it, it was Christmas time! Two weeks of no classes, very little homework, three feet of snow, food and sleep! Unlike last year, I was going home for the holidays. My mum was alone now, and I felt as though it was my duty to go home and spend some time with her.

The Marauders were going home to each of their families too. Lily had been planning to return to her parents and cow of a sister, but they had won a holiday and were spending Christmas in Russia. Lily had been distraught, but then I invited her to come home with me.

Needless to say, she had gleefully accepted.

Several days later, Lily and I were sitting in my living room sipping hot chocolate with my mother.

"So girls, how has school been?" Mum asked in a motherly fashion. Lily instantly perked up at the word 'school'.

"Oh, Mrs. Griffon it is simply wonderful!" Lily enthused. "Especially Potions! Of course, the quantity of homework has increased rather drastically, but in my opinion, they are correct to do so. In fact, I had expected more!"

"Well, I think that they shouldn't give us as much!" I protested, "We're finding that we have less time to plan pranks!"

"Thank Merlin", Lily whispered under her breath. I pretended not to notice.

"I was wondering why your father…and I weren't getting as many letters of complaints home", her voice shook.

"Well that's the reason!" I said heartily, desperate to cheer mum up.

This was going to be a hard Christmas…

On Christmas Eve night, I was just drifting off to sleep when Lily whispered to me.

"Amy, why did James embarrass me in Charms like that?"

That was the last thing I had expected her to come out with. I groaned and turned over to face her bed.

"Lils, I think that James genuinely likes you", I told her gently. Even through the darkness, I could see her face contort in indignation.

"But Amy, if he truly liked me, then why does he continue treating Severus the way he does?"

"Lils, Snivellus is not a good person. You know it yourself, deep down. He hangs out with people such as Avery, Mulciber and that Prefect, Malfoy. Their families are Death Eaters and are killing Muggles and Muggleborns as we speak. They will follow in their footsteps, and so will Snivellus." I reasoned.

"Sev would never hurt me", Lily croaked, on the verge of tears.

"Wouldn't he? How do you know? If he was in front of his Death Eater buddies, or was ordered to kill you or your family to prove himself worthy, how do you know that he wouldn't turn on you in an instant?" I countered.

"He already ignores you in front of them, and even makes fun of you in front of them, what's stopping him from taking it further? James sees this, as do Remus, Sirius and I. Peter doesn't really put two and two together. That's why we treat him badly, to warn him, to prevent him from hurting you, Lils." I continued.

"James genuinely cares about you. The only person who knows whether or not he loves you is himself." I finished.

"Thanks Amy", Lily said. There was no more conversation that night, we were both consumed by our own thoughts.

We awoke early on Christmas Day to a backlog of owls tapping on the window. I opened the window, shivering at the freezing cold air and shut it after the owls hopped inside, hooting gratefully.

I recognised the first owl, he was a beautiful barn owl named Godric whom belonged to none other than James Potter. I untied the letters and parcels attatched to them and dropped them on to my bed.

The next owl was a tiny pygmy owl who looked exhausted, he seemed to be carrying a parcel that was the same weight as him. I recognised Peter's handwriting on the parchment.

A great horned owl hooted impatiently at me and shook his head irritably as I removed its packages. I wasn't surprised when I saw Sirius' handwriting.

The final owl was a stunning tawny owl. She hooted softly as I untied the parcels and parchment attatched to her leg. I smiled at her, she was obviously Remus'.

"Go on over to Athena, she'll share her water with you", I told them as I fed them some owl treats. Lily giggled as Sirius' messenger pecked Godric. "Come here, Athena", I called. She flew over to me and I tied the boys' Christmas presents to her leg. Mum had put a light-weight charm on them and had shrunk them down to make it easier for Athena to transport. "Thanks girl and merry Christmas!". She vanished into the night sky.

"Come on, Amy!" Lily said impatiently, "I can hear your mum downstairs!"

Laden with parcels, we hopped down the stairs to the living room where Mum was waiting.

"Happy Christmas, girls!" She greeted merrily, although there was no disguising the redness of her eyes nor the tear marks on her cheeks. She was obviously missing Dad, I was too. "Now let's open presents already!"

We cheered joyfully and tore open the wrapping paper. Lily cheered loudly when she unveiled a new cauldron and potions making kit from her parents, whom had obviously made a ahuge effort to go to Diagon Alley the Muggle way. Our roommates had pitched together to get her an expensive potions book. She hugged me gratefully when I handed her present of beautiful emerald green robes that matched her eyes perfectly.

The boys had given her an assortment of sweets and James had given her an elaborate pair of goblin made earrings accompanied by a love letter. She muttered angrily at this and shoved them aside.

James had sent me a book about werewolves and said in his letter that he would send a book on pranking later, when my mum wasn't around. Smartest move he had ever made, my mum would have been sure to confiscate it!

Sirius sent me the newest executive pranking set from none other than Zonko's! I barely had a chance to hug it to my chest before it was yanked from my arms by Mum who shook her head. Now I'd have to sneak it back later!

Peter gave me an assortment of sweets like Lily's.

When I got to Moony's my jaw dropped. It was an absoloutely gorgeous solid gold charm bracelet which matched my eyes. It had a two charms on it: a full moon and a wolf. How in the name of Merlin had he afforded that? I opened the accompanying letter.

Amy,

Merry Christmas! I hope that you are enjoying the break so far and that you haven't blown up your house…again. The present is a family heirloon, originated on my mother's side. She was an only child but decided to pass it on to me. I'll tell you more about it…some day.

Moony

P.S. Do you like my new owl? Her name is Eclipse!

I clasped the bracelet around my wrist-it was absolutely perfect.

"Dear, that is stunning, who gave it to you?" Mum gasped.

"Remus", I answered, still in awe of its beauty. I didn't miss Lily's smirk.

The rest of the day was fantastic. We helped Mum make Christmas dinner (and succeeded, without burning the house down) and played exploding snap and wizard's chess until late.

In fact, the rest of the holidays were just as fantastic too.