Chapter 5 - Christmas

It was decided that Amelia would not return to Hogwarts due to the fact that she had already missed the first two months but due to her having already "missed" the first two months. Amelia was stayed at Grimmauld Place, she would often stay up for hours talking about everything and anything, she would talk about her childhood memories with Sirius and Remus was there, Molly was teaching her a few different recipes and discovering that Amelia was a natural cook and on occasions when Snape was there they would discuss possible improvements for different potions, it was almost as if there was no war at all.

The month came and went and before Amelia knew it, she sat at the kitchen table trying to think what to get everyone. She already knew a rare book that she wanted to get Hermionie and she had already put in a specialist order for in Flourish and Blotts, a book on muggle mechanics for Arthur, a platinum stirring rod for Severus, a box of sherbet lemons for Dumbledore, although the two barely spoke to each other at the moment, a bottle of fire whisky for dung, a tie for Kingsley, Tonks a weird sister's record, some wool for Molly and she had come up with a product for the twins. This still left Harry, Ron, Bill, Charlie, Remus, Sirius, Luna, Ginny and Neville.

Amelia let out an audible sigh; she was never good at thinking of Christmas presents it had taken her all month to come up with what she had.

"Molly help what do I get Bill, Charlie, Ron and Ginny? And if you have any ideas for the others on her I would appreciate it." Amelia had bewitched the parchment so no one could see their own name or what was next to it, so didn't have to worry when Molly looked over her shoulder at who she hadn't figured out yet.

"Well, I know Ginny's been fussing over her hair a lot lately, so perhaps a book on glamour spells, although why she worries about such things so much I'll never know, she's beautiful just the way she is." Amelia scribbled down the idea and thought she might buy Ginny some hair accessories as well.

"You could always buy Sirius a lead." Amelia burst into laughter; it wasn't often that Remus came out with such remarks, which always made them even funnier. Once Amelia stopped laughing an idea hit her,

"I'm such an idiot I have a load of Dad's stuff upstairs, I know Harry will love just cause it's dad's."

"Oh that's a lovely idea sweetheart and as for Ron anything edible, you know he has a good appetite." Amelia agreed with Molly she had wanted to get everyone something personal but she just wasn't that talented.

"How about a promise not to get in trouble for a year, save me nearly having a heart attack every time you leave the house?""Remus, that's not fair on her. Remember all the trouble we used to get into?"

"As I recall Sirius it was all the trouble you and James got me into." Sirius gave a small chuckle and it was silently decided that was out of the question. Sirius' suddenly looked surprised at himself,

"You can do my Christmas shopping for me."

"And what else?" Amelia had already planned to do so for Sirius as he couldn't leave the house, thinking of that saddened Amelia as she remembered when her parents were still alive how Sirius used to love taking her and Cassandra out, anywhere and everywhere on mini adventures. The thought of Cassandra made Amelia realise she had almost forgot to put Cass on the list. Remus looked over her shoulder at who she was writing before looking at her questioningly.

"We may hate each other but she's still my sister." Everyone remained quiet no one had ever known before that Amelia sent Cassandra anonymous birthday and Christmas presents, but Cassandra was the only person who had lived through the same things as Amelia that night and she hoped one day when the war was over they could be sisters again. Amelia was pulled out of her thoughts by Sirius pulling faces at Remus.

"Yes Sirius, I get the message." Amelia looked at Remus confused, what message? Sirius was all too happy to answer that question.

"That I know better than Remus. Once inseparable always inseparable." Amelia couldn't help but laugh it was true in their younger days Amelia and Cassandra had been inseparable and if one did something the other quickly followed, whether it was learning how to use the potty, the first word dada or following Sirius out of the house.

Arthur came in from work and sat down to breakfast, which Molly had somehow finished to prepare between all the talk. Over breakfast the talk again went to Christmas and Arthur gave Amelia the idea of getting Bill a curse breaker game, for his desk in Gringotts, although Molly didn't like the idea of distracting him from his work, especially when Amelia decided to put a charm on it so only those who Bill wanted to see it would know it was there. They also came up with the idea of getting Charlie a new pair of Dragon hide gloves as in one of his letters he mentioned he had almost got himself burnt and knew he should get some knew ones.

Remus also managed to come up with the suggestion on some books on odd magical creatures for Luna and some potion notes to help Neville survive Snape. Leaving only Sirius and Remus. Amelia decided that Remus could do with some knew robes as his old ones were all worn, not very exciting but she'd have to hope to come up with something better.

"Sirius why are you so difficult?"

"I'm an idiot I've got an idea and it's so obvious, I don't know why I didn't think of it before." Remus leaned over and whispered cookies in Amelia's ear. At first Amelia didn't get what he meant but then the memories came flooding back, Sirius used to love coming over to the Potter's not just for the company but Lilly had taught Amelia and Cassandra to make delicious cookies that Sirius couldn't get enough of and when they had gone into hiding Lilly had given Remus her cook book just in case the worst should happen as something for her to leave her daughters.

Amelia looked at the list with a satisfied smile; it was finally finished now she just needed to go shopping. Tomorrow was December 2nd a Monday so Diagon Alley shouldn't be too overcrowded. Amelia got a good night sleep and the next morning she told everyone where she was going and flooed to Diagon Alley. Amelia first went to Gringotts to get some galleons out to buy everything with. Wandering round Diagon Alley Amelia was able to get everything she needed and decided to have lunch at one of the small cafes, the golden wand, Amelia liked it as it was small but open so you knew who was in the room with you and Amelia's favourite table was on one of the side walls where you could see the entire room, but it was behind so many tables those coming in often didn't notice who was sat there.

Amelia had just given her order when she saw, Lucius Malfoy walk in; thankfully, he didn't notice her as he took a seat at the other side of the cafe. Amelia's food came and she ate it quietly whilst keeping her eyes on the door, it seemed Mad eye was having an effect on her. As Amelia ate, no one noticed her and Amelia paid the bill and headed out, she hadn't got three feet out the door when she knew she was being followed, but the person doing so was sly, in a way unique to death eaters but with slight flare, which suggested a high-level death eater.

Amelia kept walking and went down an alleyway that started with a swift turn and had a gap, perfect for hiding in, Amelia quickly got into the gap wand raised and ten seconds later Malfoy came round the corner looking confused and began to reach for his wand, but unexpectedly stopped.

"You also had me there Potter, but your skill, means I know your still here." Amelia knew that if Malfoy was following her there was a reason behind it, he wouldn't be just trying to kill her, Amelia knew she was not being cocky when she thought that it would take more than one death eater. Amelia cast a spell so Malfoy couldn't detect where her voice was coming from and asked,

"What do you want Malfoy?"

"Information"

"I don't generally give that out, sorry"

"Cocky aren't you for a coward who spent the last few months in hiding."

"I've been finding out a few things." Amelia was controlling her temper as knew Malfoy was trying to bait her by calling her a coward. A group of wizards approached and not wanting to attract unnecessary attention, Malfoy made his way off, looking as though nothing had happened. Amelia waited to the wizards had passed and promptly left to return home, she didn't fear Malfoy but he never had told her what information he was after. Amelia didn't mention the incident with Malfoy to the order, as she knew it was insignificant and would probably end with her not being ever allowed out of the house unescorted, which would annoy her tremendously.

Christmas was only a week away and Amelia having spent the day wrapping presents collapsed onto her bed with exhaustion.

"Amelia get up." Amelia sat up with a start, she could hear the worry in Sirius' voice in an instant she had her wand in hand ready to attack anyone who came too close.

"The Weasleys are on their way and Harry, Arthur's been seriously injured I don't know anything else."

"Amelia grabbed her dressing gown and rushed downstairs after Sirius, Dung had also not left yet. Amelia sat at the table and anxiously started playing with her hair; she hated not knowing what was going on. Amelia heard what had happened and was worried about what this meant for Harry, however Amelia couldn't dwell on it as Sirius was struggling to keep the Weasleys from barging into St Mungos and Amelia wasn't listening to know what had been said but Sirius looked as though he could swing for someone, never a good sign.

"Everyone stop arguing for a sec, this is the last thing Arthur would want." Everyone was quite, knowing this to be the truth and because they knew to listen when the authoritarian in Amelia came out.

"I understand that your worried about your dad, but the circumstances are too suspicious already without us going barging in and making things worse. Need I remind you all that if Fudge gets whiff of the order he'll send anyone he can to Azkaban. We need to wait, at least until we hear from Molly"

Everyone was silent for a moment as Ginny sunk into a chair followed by Ron and Harry the twins did not look happy but said nothing.

"Accio Butterbeer." Sirius summoned the drinks, Amelia was about to go for something stronger when Sirius gave a look to stop her and she wouldn't argue tonight. A letter came from Molly and the news did not sound good but she gave orders to stay put so Amelia new that the rest of the Weasleys wouldn't disobey her. Everyone remained sat round the table, no words were exchanged just the odd worried look between Amelia, Harry and Sirius. At half three Amelia needed to get out of the atmosphere so quietly stated that she was going upstairs to get changed and left the room. She had just taken her dressing gown off when a knock came at the door.

"Come in" Sirius walked in a concerned look on his face, he looked at her waiting in case she needed to have a breakdown, he knew that in these moments if Amelia needed him she would let him know. Amelia shook her head to say no she wasn't on the verge of a mental breakdown and Sirius nodded and went back downstairs. Amelia got dressed and headed back downstairs and resumed sitting in her seat.

At ten past five Molly came in and announced that Arthur was going to be alright. Given the good news Sirius sprung up and started making breakfast and Amelia went straight to his aid as she always did. Harry looked as though he was about to help when Molly pulled him into a hug. It was quickly decided that the Weasley's would more than likely be there for Christmas and Amelia looked forward to being able to spend the day with everyone she cared about. After breakfast Amelia and everyone else in the house slept, Amelia sharing her room with Ginny. Once everyone was up they got ready to go see Arthur, Amelia decided to stay home with Sirius and told Molly to pass on her regards, although it was clear that Molly would have rather she had come with them but Amelia hated hospitals, but used not wanting to abandon Sirius as an excuse once everyone was gone Amelia sat at the table and sighed thinking of the hurt that came from war.

After everyone had come back Harry went straight to bed and Amelia could feel secrecy in the air, the adults were holding things back, which they always did mainly as Molly still thought Amelia was a child and the Weasley children clearly knew something they shouldn't no doubt thanks to the twins' extendable ears.

The next day everyone was putting up Christmas decorations and hearing Sirius singing carols reminded her of Christmas when her parents were still alive. Amelia had Molly distract Sirius upstairs with decorations and had baked several batches of cookies and hidden them in her room. Hermionie came and confided in Amelia that it was mainly because skiing was not her thing.

Christmas morning quickly came and the girls went straight to their presents showing each other what they had gotten. Amelia thought about the pointlessness of her and Dungs exchanging presents as he her had gotten her a bottle of Fire Whiskey swell, most of her presents consisted of an array of books, one of which was an vintage potions book, whom she could have guessed who it was from without seeing the black wrapping paper, the traditional Weasley sweater. Amelia went to Sirius' present, which she had seen Lupin bring the box in for but still hadn't let her know what it was.

"Wow Amelia who got you that? It's gorgeous." The present a dress, was breathtaking a Gryffindor red with gold trimming, Amelia was never one to care about dresses or shopping, but this dress she fell in love with and decided to wear it that day, so Sirius could see her in it. The three of them headed downstairs, but were cut off midway down the stairs by Sirius,

"Do me a favour and stay upstairs for a bit, Molly's crying, Percy sent back his Christmas jumper." The three nodded and headed upstairs and after ranting about Percy for awhile Amelia began to teach Ginny some glamour spells whilst Hermionie read the book Amelia had gotten her. After letting the dust settle downstairs, the three decided to venture back. Amelia decided to help Sirius clear up rather than go with the Weasleys to go see Arthur; she had only seen him the night before, when she dropped his present off. Time went by and soon it was time for the others to be returning to Hogwarts and Amelia had decided that she would do a little investigating into what could be found about Jane Meadowhearst and what happened after her death.

Amelia had thought that Dumbledore might want Harry to learn Occlumency and had a good idea about why Severus had come and why he wanted to speak to Harry. But was surprised when he gave her a message from Dumbledore

"Dumbledore requires your assistance at Hogwarts, keeping an eye on things and to keep the students safe should the ministry try anything."

Amelia nodded although in her heart she was screaming, she hated being at Hogwarts, she always felt like she was just a tool for Dumbledore to use, and that she in herself didn't matter. Amelia excused herself to go back and passed Harry on the staircase but she didn't even notice him, she was leaving her home, she wanted to stay with Sirius but she daren't argue with Dumbledore. Amelia knew that Sirius and Severus had argued and she planned to have a word with Severus, as this night should have been a cheerful one Arthur was cured but Amelia couldn't help but notice that Sirius looked as miserable as she felt.

Ok not the most eventful chapter but hey it was long and got the whole Christmas period out of they way don't worry the story speeds up from here.