Wow so long between....please forgive life is hectic!

You guys are so lucky I've snuck in right now on work (shush)

Chapter 17: Christmas Eve Tradition

The weeks past and found the little family standing on Christmas Eve. They were sitting in the kitchen having breakfast all looking rather unprofessional in their pajamas around the table. Harry had to think himself lucky to be seeing these esteemed professors with their guards down.

Minerva sat slumped over her eggs and bacon staring at it as f she'd like it to just jump in her mouth. Her head was in her hands and her black curls were frizzy and in a messy braid while she wore large tartan flannel pajamas. Her glasses were no where to be found.

Albus's beard was braided and his hair was in a loose ponytail as he sat sipping his hot cocoa. He had his glasses on and was wearing dark blue pajamas with lemon drops dancing across them.

Severus was staring angrily at a few essays he was grading while he ate. His black hair was sticking up in places and he was wearing a black t-shirt and flannel bottoms.

Alisia was wearing the same large tartan pajamas as Minerva and her hair was on top of her head in kinky frizzy curls.

Harry's hair was as messy as usual and he had on a white t-shirt and blue bottoms.

"Mama….mama…MOTHER!!" Alisia snapped angrily at the professors sitting across from her.

"Hmm?" Minerva asked sleepily though there was a dreamy smile on her face.

"What the……DADDY!?" Alisia screeched.

"Yes?" Albus asked innocently. He looked as tired as Minerva but had an extra twinkle in his eyes.

"You kept her up all night didn't you?" Alisia asked eyeing him.

"It's conceivable," Albus nodded.

"Alisia! I told you I don't like to even think about that!" Severus snapped and stormed out of the room with his papers.

Alisia rolled her eyes and looked back at her parents.

"Thank Merlin mum can't get pregnant anymore," Alisia sighed, "I don't think I can take all these mod swings from everyone anymore."

Harry laughed at them as he dung into his breakfast.

"Kip!" Alisia called gently.

"Yes Lissy ma'am?" a small elf wearing the McGonagall crest on a pillowcase asked.

"Are the horses saddled for later?" she asked standing up and put her plate in the sink.

"Yes ma'am…Madam Nerva had me do it this morning…you know she and Master Al were…"

"That's enough Kip," Minerva snapped warningly suddenly looking very awake.

The elf bowed and disappeared while Alisia stood by the sink bent over shaking.

"Alisia sweetie are you okay?" Minerva asked worriedly.

"Fine mama," Alisia stood laughing, "It's just so funny that my spell still works."

"What spell?" Harry asked turning around to look at his favorite aunt.

"I was about twelve and James and I were here for our first Christmas. Kip would never speak to us about what went on here so I cast a Gossip spell. Still works," Alisia explained laughing.

"So what are the horses for?" Harry asked taking up his plate and putting it in the sink.

"Every Christmas Eve since James and I found out the truth we spent it here on a horse back ride through the woods and a picnic in our 'Paix de Vie'" Alisia explained.

"What's that mean?" Harry asked. By now he was used to her saying snippets of French…he was even learning a bit himself.

"Peace of Mind. A small little break in the woods…a 'Sanctuary' James and I decided was ours to relax and collect thoughts in. Ever since then we went…now I take Severus…but now it's time you have it," Alisia smiled squeezing his shoulder.

Twenty minutes later Alisia and Harry stood outside of the barn looking at two magnificent and slightly scary looking horses. One was completely white with the coldest blue eyes. The other was blacker than night with eyes that were bright red.

"Would you like Voldemort or Grindelwald?" Alisia asked walking between the horses and petting their snouts.

"Can you repeat that," Harry said looking nervously.

"Grindelwald…" Alisia said pointing to the white horse, "Or Voldemort," she said pointing to the black horse.

"Why do you name the horses after destructive and killer things?" Harry asked deciding Grindelwald was the safer choice and mounted the animal. Alisia easily mounted the other and they started off.

"Eh," she shrugged as they entered the woods, "I think it worries other people that come here. It humors me."

"But you named your dog after your dad," Harry pointed out.

"Yep… I name horses after evil things because they are so beautiful and spirited. I name other animals after good things because they are what they are," Alisia explained.

"You make no sense," Harry laughed as they carried on.

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After an hour of going through the woods they came out in a small clearing that was covered in snow with the sun shining like a spotlight on it. It was so calm, beautiful, and clean Harry looked amazed.

"Wow," he breathed quietly.

"This is 'Paix de Vie,'" Alisia smiled softly.

"I see why you call it peace of mind," Harry nodded as they dismounted and left the horses alone.

Alisia cast a warming charm on the blanket and laid it beside the fire pit. She waved her wand and lit the fire as Harry sat beside her.

"Aunt Lis …is grandma right that you may not make it?" Harry asked as she pulled food out of the picnic basket.

"She told you that?" Alisia asked putting a grape in her mouth.

"No…I uh…I sort of over heard her and Uncle Snape talking in her office one night during school," Harry admitted sheepishly.

She smiled but sighed and lifted his face to look her in the eye.

"I will be honest Harry…I'm not as strong as my mother or as powerful. I nearly killed her and they were forced to stop having children. I may very well die…but…I believe that giving this little child a chance at life is worth it," she replied.

"Isn't there something we can do though?" Harry asked, "I mean I just got you back…I don't want to loose you."

"Harry I promise you won't loose me," Alisia said softly pulling him into a hug, "I'll be here."

He nodded and the two spent the rest of the time eating and chatting about tomorrow's surprises.