Chapter Thirteen: Holiday "Cheer"

Yeah, I still don't own any of it…well, nothing that's recognized at least…but I'm definitely not making any money, trust me, I've wished.

Here's part one of Christmas (and why not, the radio is already playing the x-mas songs! it's only november!) Enjoy!!!

BANG! BANG!

I wrapped my cloak tighter around myself, looking around the quiet forest. It was either really beautiful or really strange, the entire wood covered in a thick blanket of silencing snow. Either way, it was extremely cold so I knocked on the door again. This time louder.

"That usually works better when the people you're trying to talk to are in the house,"

I jumped and turned around to find myself facing Sirius, James and Lily.

"Where did you guys go?" was my response to James' statement.

"Border of Hogwarts," Sirius answered as if it were obvious.

"Why?" I asked, truly confused.

"Well, it isn't as if you haven't run away before," he reminded me and I blushed.

"That was a completely different situation," both men snorted. "Besides, how did you know I wasn't in the castle?"

"Remus wrote a letter to us not fifteen minutes ago," Lily supplied. "Apparently after Harry left the common room, he went straight to Remus to make sure you didn't do anything stupid,"

"That was nice of him," I replied. "But you guys shouldn't risk yourselves like that,"

"Don't be ridiculous, and drop that whole charade, we know you came here to yell at us," James said. "Let's just go inside first. Oh, and I want to see what Harry actually did to you," he added.

"To Kailey," I corrected. I had changed to Keena before even entering the forest. "And I don't think you need to see it,"

James ignored me and, walking past me, opened the door, gesturing for me to go in first. Once we were all inside James lit a fire and we all sat down in the small room. They looked at me expectantly. I sighed.

"There is no need for you to see my—well, her face," I said, becoming annoyed. I could feel my face heating up in embarrassment already.

"There is if we're the cause of it," Lily argued. "You wouldn't be in this situation if we hadn't gone into hiding. Now, transform before I decide to see if that animagus unmasking spell works for you too." Not being one to test Lily's threats, I complied.

I sighed and closed my eyes, transforming into Kailey as I did so, letting my hair fall over the offending eye. Before I could change back, I felt someone's hand gently pushing my hair aside before they all gasped. I quickly brushed the hand away and transformed back. Opening my eyes I realized it had been Sirius' hand. His eyes were holding a depressed and gaunt look he had no doubt gained from years in Azkaban. I fell into another guilt trip and broke down into tears, not pausing to think as Sirius pulled me in close and kissed the top of my head.

"I l-let him down so b-badly," I cried into Sirius' chest as he rubbed small circles on my back.

"No, you didn't," he replied, holding me tighter. "You did everything you could have,"

"I-I could h-have done something d-different," I argued.

"Keena," he sighed, sounding a little frustrated.

I felt him moving as though he was still talking, but I couldn't hear what he was saying. Suddenly he was holding me more defensively and I could hear him muttering angrily, though I was still unable to make out any words.

"WELL YOU SHOULD HAVE BLOODY THOUGHT OF THAT THEN!" he yelled over my head suddenly. I gasped in surprise and pushed away from him to find him glaring at James who was looking angry, but guilty as well. Lily was just turning red-faced and her eyes were brimming with tears.

"Should have thought of what, Sirius?" I asked, working hard to control my voice.

They ignored me.

"WELL MAYBE IF SOME OF US WEREN'T HOTHEADED SOMETHING ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN ARRANGED!" James burst back.

"ARE YOU BLAMING ME FOR GOING TO AZKABAN? I WENT THERE BECAUSE OF YOU, JAMES! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD! I'D LIKE TO THINK YOU'D DO THE SAME FOR ME IF I WAS MURDERED!" He shouted back.

Both were standing now and Lily was full out crying along with me. James and Sirius had only ever fought once before, nearly thirteen years ago.

"I ONLY DID THAT FOR HARRY!"

"REALLY? BECAUSE FROM OVER HERE IT LOOKS MORE LIKE A COWARDLY LION STICKING HIS FUCKING TAIL BETWEEN HIS LEGS!"

"WELL MAYBE YOU'D UNDERSTAND WHAT IT WAS LIKE BETTER IF YOU HADN'T LEFT YOUR OWN KNOCKED UP GIRL AT HOME, ALONE AND UNPROTECTED, WITH DEMENTORS ON THE LOOSE!"

Lily and I both gasped and Sirius looked like he was in a state of shock.

"James…" I whispered at a loss for words. I looked over at Sirius, who still hadn't spoken or moved. I stood and walked over to him and held his arm. "Sirius? Sirius, he's wrong," I stated, commanding my voice not to waver though I was still teary eyed.

"Sirius, mate, I'm so sorry, that was out of bounds--" James began, his face showing how he regretted saying anything at all.

Sirius wrenched his arm away from me without saying a word and walked out of the house. I didn't bother glancing at Lily or James, I just ran out after Sirius.

"Where do you think you're going?" I shouted after his retreating back.

"Up to the bloody castle to catch myself a rat!" he shouted over his shoulder.

"What about the dementors?" I cried, running to catch up to him. "Sirius, wait," I grabbed his shoulder and swung him around to face me. "Please?" He sighed.

"I'm tired of waiting and I'm tired of hiding, Keena, and you're proof that we can't keep secrets like this forever," he said, placing both his hands on my arms, pinning them to my side.

"I know, that, Sirius, I do, but--"

"No, there are no more 'buts' in this game," he said, cutting me off. "Just let me try this?"

"Sirius--"

He cut me off again, this time with a kiss. I tried to move away but he just gripped me tighter and tighter until I cried out in protest. He let go of me suddenly, as though I had electrocuted him, but he wasn't staring at me anymore. Rather, he was glaring at what was behind me. I turned around slowly to see what was there.

"Transform into yourself and go back to the castle," he commanded, and I could tell he was working very hard to control his temper.

I didn't move an inch, eyeing the wand in his hand.

"Now would be a good time," he added, beginning to lose his control ever so slightly.

"You won't--?"

"I will if he comes near you like that again,"

"You'll come back with me? You will keep your promise?" I asked nervously.

Sirius, still feeling angry and reckless, let out a laugh. "Snivvy? Keeping a promise? I highly doubt that,"

"Do not give me a reason to doubt her, Black, the promise I made to my daughter was to save my judgment on you until she could be proven wrong," Snape growled. "Change into Kailey now, and come back to the castle or I shall be forced to make you," he directed at me.

I looked at Sirius, who shook his head in disagreement then I sighed. I transformed back into Kailey and began to walk over to Snape. Before I had taken two steps, Sirius grabbed my hand.

"I may not always wait long enough to do what is right, but I'll always wait for Keena, could you tell her that for me?" he asked, a small grin playing on his face.

"I'll be sure to," I replied, a grin of my own spreading.

"Oh, and give Harry a smack on the head for hitting a girl, would you?" he called after me as Snape began leading me away.

I gave him the thumbs up sign instead of replying out loud.

Once we were out of the forest, Snape began grilling me as any concerned father would. Lucky me.

"Did he hurt you or touch you in any inappropriate places that I should know about?" were the first words out of his mouth.

"No, I wasn't me in front of him at all," I replied stubbornly. "I was Keena, remember?"

He groaned. "Fine then! Same question, though,"

"No, he did not, he's not a monster," I answered as though it were obvious.

"Could have fooled me,"

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"He wasn't letting go, Kailey, what do you think would have happened if I hadn't sent a stinging hex at him?"

"So he was electrocuted," I mumbled as we began climbing the steps to the castle.

"Kailey? Are you even listening to me?"

"What? No, sorry Dad, just sort of went off there," I said, shaking my head. I was half way up the stairs before I realized that Snape was no longer standing next to me. "Dad?" I called down where Snape seemed to be frozen in place. "Do you want to turn into an icicle?" I said, coming back down to him.

"You…just called me 'Dad'," he stated, confused.

"Oh…sorry, I didn't even realize…"

"No, it's alright," he said quickly. "You've just caught me off guard," his look of shock was beginning to fade and he was nearly smiling.

"I couldn't exactly call you something stupid like 'Professor' now could I?" I replied, turning a little red at how randomly I had just spoken.

Where exactly was my brain when I said that…? It really did just pop out there didn't it…? Well, it's his own fault, treating me like I just made out in front of him…which I did…sort of…not really, that was Keena…Merlin, this is confusing…!

"When did you figure out I wasn't in the castle?" I asked as we headed for the dungeons.

"When I saw you going into the forest." He replied.

"Oh…well, when did you decide to come and get me?"

"I was in the middle of making a potion that can't be left for more than five minutes at a time," he answered. "I was just in the Hospital wing, giving Madame Pomfrey a fresh supply of Calming Drought when I looked out the window and saw you,"

"Oh," I said.

"Why were you out there in any case? Was it just to talk to him?" he questioned suspiciously.

"No, I talked to Harry and we had another stupid fight and I just decided I needed to go for a nice, quiet, undisturbed walk when I bumped into him," I answered.

"You are lying," Snape decided almost automatically.

"Am not,"

"Yes, you are, do not insult my intelligence. I believe that you did not go there to talk to him, but you did not just go in there for a walk," he said as though it were obvious. "Will you tell me why?"

"To quote a certain headmaster, that is business between myself and…well, the headmaster. Speaking of whom, I need to go and talk to him about why I was in the forest. Completely spaced on it for a couple of months now…wonder why I'm not being punished for it,"

"It most likely has to do with the fact that Sirius Black escaped and the headmaster has had a lot to do lately," Snape replied. "Does your talking with him have to do with why you were sent back in time in the first place?"

"Are you using legilimency on me again?" I accused.

"No, you are just far too easy to predict," he replied.

I knocked on the door to Professor Dumbledore's office two days later and received a quiet command to enter. I opened the door and sat down in front of his desk immediately. He looked up and frowned.

"Where did you get that black eye?" he asked. So much for hoping it'd be less noticable by now...

"They found out about my—well, dual personality, you could say." I answered. "But that isn't why I'm here,"

"Would it be too much to hope that you were here reporting something on Sirius Black?"

"Far too much," I replied and he nodded, though he did not look at all surprised.

"Then what may I help you with?"

"First off, what is with your candy obsession? And second, I thought you might like me to explain a bit about the whole Potter family situation."

"To your first question, I would not consider it an obsession. Secondly, I would like that very much indeed. But I think you're curious about how I even know about that?" I nodded. "Simple, you were not nearly in the same amount of grieving and pain you were in when James' parents died nor as when Sirius was placed in Azkaban,"

"Good thing my survival over these past years pretty much weighed on how good of an actress I was then, right?" I said sarcastically.

"I doubt anyone else noticed," he said, comfortingly. "Now, how exactly did Harry survive if not for his mother's blood protection?"

I laughed. "I'll bet that's been bothering you, hasn't it, sir? Harry did survive because of that protection,"

"But you said that James and Lily were alive,"

"They are,"

"But Lily also died?"

"As did James,"

"I thought you found a counter-curse to Avada Kedavera?"

"Sort of," I said, stifling my laughter. Since when had it been possible to baffle Albus Dumbledore? "We found a way to reverse death,"

"Reverse it? How?"

"Well…the mechanics of it are pretty basic, really. The spell summons the soul of the deceased back to the body. It can only work if the person casting the spell truly loved, as say a brother-sister relationship or better, real love, the person on which the spell was being cast. It cannot work, however, if the deceased lost their soul prior to truly dying,"

"Which is why it did not work on Aradia," he finished for me. I nodded.

"If I ever get a chance to kill that dementor, I might try it again," I added.

"Would it not be too long ago?"

"I suppose you could call it a fool's hope, then," I shrugged. "I don't doubt that the stupid thing will try to attack me and finish the job before the Second War ends,"

"How much longer do we have?" he asked quietly.

"Little over a year," I answered in kind.

We sat silent for a moment as he pondered what he could possibly do with this new information before he sighed and resumed the conversation.

"Is there any way I could perhaps meet with Lily and James any time soon? I assume that you are their secret keeper,"

"I am and I think it could be possible, but probably not until the students return home for the summer,"

"And by that you mean Harry,"

"Unfortunately," I said bitterly.

"You do not agree with their choice?"

"Check out the bruise on my face, sir, what does that tell you about where my secrets have gotten me so far? Can you imagine his reaction when he figures out that his parents aren't dead and haven't been for almost thirteen years? I might actually ask them to obliviate me! Oh, and by the way, about the whole Sirius situation, they agree with me, I'll have you know,"

"We shall see after I talk with them myself," he replied.

"Maybe I could have something arranged before Christmas," I muttered.

"No, I think I can wait to speak with them until summer," he replied. "Now, you also mentioned them having possession of some horcruxes. Have they discovered a way to destroy them yet? Or are they still trying?"

"Still trying, sir, but suggestions are most welcome," I replied.

"Very well, let me suggest that they use basilisk venom," he stated. "I have began dabbling in this research as well and I believe that the venom would be able to properly destroy the horcruxes,"

"Well, that's good, except we already figured out about the basilisk venom and they're not exactly common enough for us to use. Any other ideas?" I asked curiously.

He leaned back in his seat and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Well, this is quite a conundrum…I don't know of many magical objects capable of destroying this sort of power,"

"What objects do you know of sir?" I asked curious.

"Well, the sword of Gryffindor is always an option; however I do not know the consequences of cutting open a Horcrux. I'm not sure if the soul would be able to attack the destroyer," he elaborated.

"I assume that they'll be using shields, professor," I smiled. "We developed some stronger ones which were not approved by the ministry because they thought that they were so pointlessly strong," I added before Dumbledore could even open his mouth.

"Pointlessly strong?" he asked instead.

"It's the ministry, sir, they never make sense," I replied, shaking my head.

"Well, as far as using the sword goes, I'm sure I can certainly lend it to them for an extended period of time. However, I would like for them to wait until after the students go home for the summer holidays just in case something goes awry,"

"Alright, sir, I'll let them know. Do you have any other location ideas? They've thought of Hogwarts but no others,"

"Hogwarts is an ideal option, but I shall have to look into Tom's history for any others," he answered. "Perhaps if I return to his orphanage..."

"Sir, there is something else I was thinking of as well. I may need to go into muggle London soon just to see if I can find out more about my source,"

"The source you have used is not yet complete?"

"Not the last time I was near any muggle locations, no," I replied. "I still need the seventh edition,"

"Naturally, the most magical number," he agreed, nodding his head. "Very well, I will suggest it to Severus to take you home soon,"

"Maybe for Christmas," I muttered.

"I doubt that he would return to his home for Christmas," Dumbledore answered, shaking his head once more. "Even your father does not enjoy spending the holidays alone,"

"I guess it's a good thing he isn't alone anymore, then, isn't it?"

I woke up on Christmas morning in my bedroom at an unnaturally early hour. When I realized that the clock was saying eight o'clock I rolled over and shoved my head under my pillow for about two minutes before I admitted defeat and got out of bed. I went into the living room and plopped myself onto the couch in front of the fire.

"Happy Christmas," Snape said, not looking up from his book. "You're up early,"

"Merry Christmas to you, too," I replied, stretching and yawning. "And I thought you thought that sleeping past seven was a waste of time,"

He shrugged and put his book down. "Would you like to open your presents?" he asked, gesturing to the small tree that resided in the corner.

"Okay," I replied, rubbing my eyes as he summoned all of them and they landed directly in front of my feet.

I picked up a small silver box first and opened the card to learn it was from Snape. I tore the paper off to find a black velvet case. I looked at Snape questioningly before opening it.

"It's beautiful," I gasped, lifting the silver necklace out of the box. It had a thin, delicate looking chain and a silver charm of a snake shaped into a heart, circling a bright red ruby. I rushed over to him and gave him a quick, crushing hug before turning around and lifting my long, blue-stained hair away. "Put it on, please?" I requested.

He chuckled and obeyed my request and I turned to face him. "It suits you,"

I grinned. "Alright, you've got to open mine, now," I said, sorting through his much smaller pile and handing him a gold wrapped package.

He opened it in a more guarded manner before lifting the lid off of the box and his jaw all but fell off of his face.

"Do you like it?" I asked, worried immediately.

"Where in Merlin's name did you get enough money for this? There were only ever five copies ever made and they were all lost," he said, lifting the book out of the box very carefully. It was, as he said, one of five books written by Merlin himself on Potions, Dark Arts, Transfiguration and Charms.

"I found it in the back of the bookstore in Hogsmeade," I answered, grinning.

"Found?" he asked sharply.

"Well, the secret passage that was hiding it, really. There were hundreds of books in this tiny room and I thought you'd like that one best. The shop keeper didn't look too pleased that I'd found it, though," I said with a frown. The old wizard had actually looked as though he wanted to Obliviate me on the spot, well until he saw how much gold I was willing to give him. "So, do you like it?"

"Absolutely," he replied, giving me a pat on the head. "Now, why don't you open the rest of your gifts?"

After I finished with my gifts we headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. I opted to sit at the head table between Snape and Dumbledore instead of even going near the Gryffindor table. I didn't want to spoil Christmas by having another fight. That and the fact that there was a total of one student sitting in the Great Hall aside from myself and he was a Slytherin.

"I do believe I'll get rid of the extra four tables for tonight," Dumbledore said out of the blue. "There isn't much point to it really, is there?"

"Professor, forgive me, but that actually made sense!" I said, grinning.

"Kailey," Snape said in a warning tone, but he was suppressing a grin of his own all the same.

"Oh, come off it," I said, rolling my eyes. "Remember the first thing you said during my first first year? That whole nitwit, blubber stuff?"

Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, I suppose I am rather eccentric at times," he agreed.

After breakfast, Snape and I headed back to our quarters and read some of our new books for a while (Hermione had given me a book on Transfiguration with a note saying how she noticed how much I had improved on that subject) until I got bored.

"Is it okay if I go and see Remus for a bit? He's got to be lonely all cooped up in his office by himself,"

Snape looked at me warily. "You know this is a delicate time of the month for his—for him." He corrected himself quickly.

"I know, that's why I should go and see him. He always hated when the full moon was around Christmas," I said. "Besides, you made the potion yourself, you know he's not dangerous and Keena lived with him for years, you don't think one of them actually left that house for that, do you?"

"I suppose you should go and wish him well," Snape sighed. "But be back in time for dinner,"

"Will do," I said, racing from the room and up to Remus' office.

I knocked on the door quietly and there was a shuffling behind it. Remus opened the door looking tired, irritated and ill. He actually looked better than usual.

"Kailey," he greeted, gesturing for me to come in. I did so and shut the door behind me before morphing into Keena.

"Happy Christmas, Moony," I said, giving him a small smile and a gentle hug. "How're you feeling?"

"Just glad the full moon is tonight, then I'll be that much closer to being back to my normal self," he sighed, sitting behind his desk and rubbing his forehead. "Kailey's father didn't mind you coming then?"

"I—she guilted him into it," I shrugged. "Did you open your present yet?" I asked, looking around for a hint of wrapping paper.

"No, I'm going to wait until I can truly appreciate whatever it is you got me," he replied.

"Well, don't forget the others," I said. He looked at me questioningly. "Don't tell me you forgot about Lily, James, Lexi, Nickie, Amanda, Orion, Jeremy and Damian and all the little bundles of joy!"

"Of course I didn't forget any of them," he answered, shaking his head. "The kids got over excited and gave me the presents from them and their families a week ago." If he hadn't been in pre-full moon agony, Remus' smirk would have been one of his I-am-the-smart-one-remember-? looks. "Oh, and that reminds me," he said, standing up and going over to rummage through one of his cabinets.

He cursed as several small, brightly wrapped boxes tumbled out of the cabinet and landed on his foot. I stifled a giggle and pulled out my wand, summoning the boxes over to his desk as Remus shut the cabinet door.

"What are all of these?" I asked.

"Your gifts," he answered. "The kids were especially upset that you didn't come to Hogwarts for a visit this year. Their parents haven't told them about you and Sirius," he added to the look of surprise on my face. "They thought for sure that you would come to visit me,"

"That was a guilt trip waiting to happen, wasn't it?" I asked, poking a small, orange box which seemed to be twittering. "What d'you think is in this?"

"I don't know, but DJ made me promise to take a picture of you when you opened it," Remus said, eyeing the box apprehensively.

"Living up to his middle name then, isn't he?" I asked. I sighed and pulled out my wand. "Got a camera?" I asked and Remus nodded and pulled one out of his desk. "Here goes nothing,"

Slowly, I took off the wrapping paper and began to open the lid. Out of the box burst forth several Cornish pixies which immediately began wrecking havoc. I screamed and fell off of my chair as three of them came charging at my face straight out of the box and the camera's flash went off. Remus stunned the pixies before they could do any serious damage before bursting out laughing.

"Damian James, you are a dead boy walking," I muttered, picking myself off of the ground. "Go ahead and laugh it up, Wolf-boy," I added, shooting Remus a look.

"Don't mind if I do," he answered, wiping tears from his eyes.

"It's not that funny,"

"You haven't screamed like that in ages!"

"So my fear is a joke to you?"

"Yes," he answered, bluntly.

"So what did the little devil get for you?" I asked, curiously.

"The camera,"

"Brat,"

"It's strange, too, he must have learned it from Damian, Amanda would never tolerate that sort of behavior, unless you told him stories," he added accusingly.

"I'm not so good at your average bedtime story," I shrugged. "So I suppose I brought this upon myself,"

"Are you going to open the rest?" Remus asked, motioning to the remaining gifts, none of which were moving.

"Not right now, I don't know if I have the energy," I grinned. "Besides, I came here to celebrate Christmas with you, not have you watch me open presents,"

"Did you get Lily and James anything and did they get you something?"

"Didn't yours come yet? I know they've been trying to figure what to get you for…well, you're always hard to shop for, Moony,"

"Well, I thought I did, it was an anonymous gift, but it said 'From your three favorite trouble-makers' but then I remembered that you had given me that Flourish and Blotts gift card and I couldn't figure out who the third person could be,"

"Either it's a misprint or you need to go and visit Redtail and Prongs," I shrugged.

"You're keeping secrets again," he said, shaking his head slowly.

"When am I ever not keeping a secret?" I muttered under my breath and he nodded. "Maybe it'll be easier once Lily and James come back. Eventually, if they ever do…"

"They will, even if we have to force them," Remus assured me.

"Do you think Harry will hit them too or just come at me again for seconds?"

"That isn't funny,"

"It wasn't meant to be," I replied seriously.

"I think they've made this much harder than it ever needed to be in the first place,"

"Agreed," I said. "Oh and by the by, Dumbles is letting us borrow the sword of Gryffindor to attempt to get rid of those Horcruxes this summer."

"That's good," Remus agreed. "Maybe you and I should do some snooping around the castle and see if we can find anything. Know anything about the Marauder's Map whereabouts?"

"I've got a vague idea, but I'm not certain," I answered, knowing Remus would all but explode if he knew Harry had used it to get into Hogsmeade while Sirius was still 'on the loose'. "I'll try and look for it later,"

Remus nodded, satisfied with my answer. "So, what did you end up getting Harry for Christmas? Do you think he'll open it?"

"I put the cards on the insides of the boxes," I answered. "So hopefully, he opened his presents out of curiosity,"

"One thing from you and one from Kailey?" I nodded in response to his question.

"I got him a new pair of Quidditch goggles to match the gloves James and Lily had me get for him. Kailey gave him a revised version of Quidditch through the Ages,"

"I'm sensing a theme here," he said suspiciously. "Why didn't anyone think to get him a broom?"

"That's a hasty assumption," I grinned mischievously. "I've got a nagging suspicion that Lily and James got him something behind my back, when I saw them the other day to pick up the gloves they both kept sharing this look," Sure it was a lie, but maybe if everyone thought the broom was from Harry's parents they wouldn't strip it. Everyone being Dumbledore and Remus of course.

I looked at my watch and groaned. It was time to head to the Great Hall. I looked up at Remus with a sympathetic look. "Go ahead; Kailey's father must be expecting her,"

"I feel bad about leaving you, Moony," I said, standing to go. "Maybe I'll stop by tonight and we can go and find Prongs," I suggested.

"I don't know," he said, thinking. "I'll think it over, but only because it's Christmas."

Okay, so this chapter is getting to a point where I feel that it's just going to be too long so I'm going to break it off into a two part chapter. So there you go, part one of Christmas at Hogwarts! Yay! Please review and let me know watcha think! Next comes fourteen (Christmas part II!)

:-D