Disclaimer: Is not, was not, and never will be mine! Credit goes to the incredible JK Rowling, including the little Deathly Hallows extract... Some of the characters ARE mine though! And I love them!

As clichéd as it was, the group all hoped that this Christmas would be a white one; they had plans for the annual snow war (yes war, not fight) James and Sirius had without fail. Sirius bounded down the hall, and into the girls' wing, screaming "Look outside my lovelies! We're gonna thrash you today, girls vs. boys!" Sirius' exuberance was short lived however, when Marlene slapped him in the face; it was too early in the morning for her to be dealing with Sirius. Hermione snickered at the wounded look on his face as she ran to the bathroom, ensuring she got in before any of the others, especially Marlene who took half the day getting ready. Grinning to herself, she pulled out her old baggy Christmas jumper she had packed back at home on a whim; one of Mrs Weasley's latest ones. It was a deep red and had a giant Christmas pudding on the front. Pairing it with a tattered pair of leggings, she looked casual but festive.

Sirius could not take his eyes off Hermione when she exited the bathroom. She was wearing nothing special, but the simplicity of her clothes didn't matter; she looked beautiful. The leggings made her legs look long and toned, and he was loving it. He flashed her a wolfish grin, making sure he was blatantly checking her out, and enjoyed her reaction when he saw a blush creep up into her cheeks. She might be putting up a good fight against him, but it was clear to him that she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. He just had to make her see that he was the right choice now. She had to realise this soon, because Sirius wasn't sure how much longer he could hold himself back.

An hour later, the whole group had finally managed to gather in the Potter's drawing room, all of them seated around what was possibly the largest Christmas tree Hermione had ever seen, outside of Hogwarts. It Stood at well over 15 feet, and was covered in sparkling lights, floating baubles and miniature pixie figurines which flew around the tree at an alarming rate. Under the tree were mounds and mounds of presents, and everyone felt a build up of excitement.

"Okay kiddiewinks, to avoid injury, I will separate out your presents and you will WAIT until I give them to you!" Charlus Potter grinned at the overexcited group of teenagers around him, speaking in a purposely patronising voice. Waving his wand, the presents began to zoom around the room, dumping themselves in front of different people.

"Honestly Charlus, how was this supposed to avoid injury?" Mrs Potter cried exasperatedly, ducking numerous times to avoid flying presents, hell-bent on their course.

Eventually however, everything settled down, until the final present dropped itself on James' toe, much to everyone's amusement as he ran around the room howling. There was silence, then all hell broke loose. Everyone started shredding the paper away from their presents, in a hurry to see what was inside. Hermione opened her first present, which was from Lily, and grinned as a book fell out, followed by a delicate charm bracelet. The book was titled ' 100 Effective Ways To Prove Boys Wrong' which made Hermione grin, as she remembered her and Lily's inside joke about their smart-arse quips to the boys. From Evanna, she got a photo-developing potion, as the group had soon found out that Hermione loved to take photos, along with a four-leafed clover charm for the bracelet Lily had given her. Sofia flashed Mione a grin, as she recognised her gift to her. Opening it, Mione choked before she started laughing. Inside the wrapping, was a box which read 'A Witch's Best Friend! Non-stop Pleasure'. She looked up and glared at Sof, but she just laughed and mouthed "OPEN IT!". Inside was a note saying 'JUST KIDDING! ;)" in flashing letters, and a book 'Music Through The Ages'. Sensing a pattern, Hermione fastened another charm to her new bracelet – this time a diamante star.

"Mione you beautiful person!" exclaimed Sirius, waving the motorbike manual around his head like a madman. "And this might have been a joke-" he held up the hair products, "but just wait. You ladies will be green with envy when my hair looks sexier than yours at the new Year's Eve ball!"

Smirking, Hermione went back to her pile, and almost instantly felt a lump rise in her throat as tears threatened to overflow. Mrs Potter had knitted her a jumper. The memories came unbidden, shocking her; she hadn't had these flashbacks in quite a while. Christmases with her family skiing in France, with Harry and Ron at Hogwarts, at the Burrow... She missed them all with a new, raw pain which was eating her up inside. Looking around, she caught Lily's eye, and thought back to the Christmas of her seventh year with Harry in Godric's Hollow.

* "Harry, I think it's Christmas Eve!"

"Is It?"

"I'm sure it is. They... they'll be in there, won't they? Your mum and dad?"*.

They were right there, in front of her now. She missed Harry, Ron and Ginny sorely, but she was here for a good reason; if she could make their lives that much better, the empty void she had inside of her would be worth it.

Her reverie was interrupted by Marlene's squeal as she opened Hermione's present to her. "Omigodomigodomigod MIONE! I love you, I've been wanting one of these for ages!" Finding an icy snowflake pattern, she instantly settled down to paint her nails. Sofia had already walked over to the Potter's record player and put on one of the records Hermione had bought her, and Remus was munching through his chocolate already; Hermione wasn't sure it would make it to the end of the day!

Going back to her presents, she found a collection of books from Remus, with a little wolf charm for her bracelet. Feeling particularly touched, she smiled gently at Remus, hoping to get across to him that she knew and understood. Remus looked back at her in surprise. Had he read her look wrong? Because there seemed to be acceptance in her eyes, but she didn't know about his furry little problem... right? He had been planning to tell her, especially since he was going to have a full moon while he was staying at Potter Manor.

James had got her a surprisingly touching present of a pale pink knitted cardigan and an embroidered shawl, along with a swallow bird charm. "Awww Jamsie these are beautiful!" Hermione gushed, deciding that the shawl would match perfectly with her New Year's dress. Mr Potter had bought all of the children a personalised wand holster, which again, really touched Hermione. This left one present of course: Sirius'. Taped into the card was an elaborate silver heart charm for her bracelet, with tiny diamonds littering it in a swirling pattern across the whole surface. It truly was beautiful. Inside the parcel were three things: firstly, a first addition of 'Hogwarts: A History', secondly, a bed throw with a giant print of all of them together (except Peter) and thirdly, a crystal quill and ink pot set. Wordlessly, Hermione got up, slowly walked over to Sirius, and kissed him on the lips.

Interlude: Spinner's End

Severus slipped out his front door, and quickly made his way across the street until he was out of sight from his house. Now that the war was underway, his mother no longer approved of his friendship with Lily; just like everyone else. But they had a special connection and she meant more to him than anything he could ever have imagined. His home life wasn't exactly a happy one, but Lily always managed to light it up. His father was a filthy muggle who had run out on him and his mother when he was very young. Though he didn't share views as drastic as his fellow Slytherins, he wasn't particularly fond of them. But he had a good reason. He was convinced his father had been abusive to his mother, and blamed him for his mother's apparent phobia of closeness to another human being. Eileen Prince was clearly bitter to anyone who saw her, let alone actually knew her.

He gripped the small package in his pocket, and prayed she would like it. It wasn't much, but Lily had always understood that he didn't have much at his disposal but he had saved for months for this one. He had seen it on the first Hogsmead weekend, and even though he had begun saving over the summer, in anticipation for finding a Christmas gift, he still had not had enough money. The present was a simple silver chain necklace, however what made it special was the pendant which hung from it. It was a sterling silver doe, with two emeralds for eyes. Apart from the eyes, there were absolutely no decoration on it, but its simplicity is what made it beautiful. Severus had felt incredibly happy when he had found this, knowing that Lily's patronus was a doe. In fact, their patronus' matched! They had discovered this in the previous year, when the two of them were doing some extra studying in the library and had come across the patronus charm. After having practiced it for months on end, they had finally managed to produce a full-corporal patronus, both of them does.

Approaching Privet Drive, he prayed that Petunia wouldn't answer the door; he hated that girl. However he needn't have worried, as the door opened to reveal the kind face of Mrs Evans. She was a very homely woman, a little on the short side, with blonde hair, and Lily's green eyes. "Hello Severus dear! What are you doing here?" he had always liked the lady, as she was nothing but kind to him, going as far as giving him a warm hug every time he saw her. Something his own mother never did...

"Hi Mrs Evans, Merry Christmas! I... Came to see Lily?" He queried, slightly confused.

"Oh dear... She didn't tell you? That's very unlike her! She's been staying at a friend's house this holiday, a James Potter? I'm sure you know him dear, I'm terribly sorry!" Mrs Evans frowned at the slightly scruffy boy in front of her in pity; he had been best friends with her daughter for many years now, but she was sure things had changed this last year; He wasn't visiting as much as he used to. he had always been a strange boy, him and his mother kept to themselves. But he was perfectly polite and sweet, and most importantly, he made his daughter happy.

Severus stared at Mrs Potter, at a loss for words. What? Just... What?

James. Potter. JAMES POTTER! He had been left, without a word, for the whole holiday for James freaking Potter. He had loved Lily since they became friends, but he had been in love with her since their second year. It had been a bittersweet for him, because it was painful to be just her friend, but the thought of being without her was painful... and yet, he felt like he was already losing her. They had steadily hated James Potter since their first day of their first year from the first time they saw him... from the very beginning, they hated him! He never thought he would see the day where he would be losing his Lily to the arrogant toerag that was James Potter. He didn't have anyone one, didn't have any other friends. Avery and Mulciber weren't friends, they were... Convenient acquaintances. He loved no one like he loved Lily.

"No, she didn't tell me. It's alright, I just came over to exchange presents, but I guess I'll just post it to her and see her at school? Thanks for your time Mrs Potter, have a nice day!" Severus held himself together, and tried not to look to bothered about it. Inside however, his pain and betrayal had converted into anger. Not at Lily, no he could never be mad at her. No, his anger was aimed at a certain cocky Quidditch star, and he would know about it soon.

A/N

Again, I'm so sorry it's late! On the other hand, it's the longest chapter I've written so far!

I love you all, please review! To everyone who's reviewd so far, I LOVE YOU ALL! SO MUCH, LIKE SERIOUSLY!

Love, Rads x x