(And welcome back to the exciting conclusion of the Christmas special at the lodge. Though it's way early before Christmas, I couldn't just wait until the holiday itself.)

Last time, everyone was having a field day on the slopes and the ice rink. That night as they continued to enjoy themselves they saw a massive snowstorm had hit the lodge and to make matters worse the whole lodge went black from a power outage. With no heat and electricity to keep the class warm, how will they survive, and will this be their last Christmas together? Tune in now.

At the lodge the girls were sitting down shaking in worry until Negi and Dustin pulled out some flashlights from the emergency stash by the counter, "Stay calm everyone, we got light." Dustin said.

"But what're we going to do about heat?" Makie asked.

"Yeah the fireplace is powered by the electricity inside." Ako added.

"Then we'll have to make our own fire like camping." Kaede said feeling prepared.

"Agreed, Zyphon, how much firewood do we have?" Ayaka asked.

Zyphon checked the firewood storage, "Seems we have just enough for a fire."

"They'll do." Kaede said as they brought the wood over and created a makeshift fire place in one a metal barrel they brought over.

"In they go." Zyphon placed the firewood inside the barrel as Kaede lit the fire and dropped it inside as the wood started burning.

"There, this will have to do until power comes back." Negi said.

"Ojou-sama," A worker addressed Ayaka as several more workers brought out large blankets, "Here, use these to bundle up, but some of your friends will have to share some."

"Arigato." Ayaka said as the workers started passing the blankets around.

Soon the girls started wrapping the blankets around themselves, making sure they were all bundled up. Kaede wrapped a blanket around herself, Negi, and Rin while Chamo joined in. Mana wrapped one around herself, Dustin, and Zazie with Domino hiding inside. As all of them sat around their makeshift fireplace they started sighing in relief.

"Wow this is really warming up." Asuna said.

"Yeah, it's so comfy too." Konoka said as she and Setsuna were sharing a blanket while Setsuna was blushing from having to be so close to Konoka like this.

"But try not to fall asleep girls." Akira warned everyone.

Madoka felt Sakurako rest her head on her shoulder. The tomboy girl shook her friend up, "Sakurako, stay awake!"

She yawned, "I'm trying, but it's hard."

"We need to do something to pass time, any ideas?" Haruna asked.

"I know, let's talk about some of our past Christmas experiences." Dustin said.

"Good idea, but who should start?" Negi asked.

"I will," Rin offered, "Two years ago around Christmas, my father and I traveled to the snowy mountains so we could be together. I loved it because my dad's always had to deal with family business."

"Wow, not always being able to spend time with your family must be hard." Makie said.

"It's not anymore, after all you guys are like my family now." Rin replied.

"She's right." Negi agreed.

"Ok who's next?" Yue asked.

"I'll go," Sakurako said, "When I was little I remember one Christmas I asked for this pair of ice skates that seemed impossible to get. When Christmas morning came, there they were under the tree. I was so happy I couldn't contain my joy. I took them out that morning and practiced. Soon enough I was skating to my hearts content. That had to have been one of my most favorite Christmas memories ever."

"Well, my favorite Christmas was when I got my first manga. I was entranced by the artwork and vowed to be a great artists as well. That's how I got into drawing." Haruna said.

"So what drove you on the path to yaoi doujin?" Dustin asked curiously.

Haruna wanted to speak but Yue clamped her mouth, "I don't think you'd want to know." The stoic girl answered.

"What were your favorite Christmas memories senseis?" Nodoka asked.

Negi began, "Well I remember one Christmas my sister took Anya and me to the forest in Wales to see how beautiful it looked during the winter. When I saw how beautiful the forest looked decked in snow I felt this sensation of nostalgia flow over me. I never knew just how beautiful a snowy forest could be until that day."

Kaede pat his head, "I'm glad to hear you have such a fond memory Negi."

Dustin smiled until Mana spoke, "Well Dustin, what about you?"

"My favorite memory? Well that would have to be four years ago when I was seven. My dad took me out to see the Christmas tree lightning at Rockefeller Center. I stood there looking up at the tree until suddenly, poof it lit up like it was the fourth of July. I gazed at the dazzling lights for hours like I was in a beautiful trance. And from that day I kept going to Rockefeller every Christmas to see the tree lightning ceremony."

"Sounds cool." Yuna admitted.

"Yeah, but you know I'm glad I got to miss it this year, so I could be here with all of you." Dustin added.

Mana giggled and ruffled Dustin's hair, "And we're glad you could be here too."

Everyone continued to talk about their favorite Christmas memories as the storm started dying down. Zyphon looked outside, "Well looks like the storms coming to a halt and the snow blocking the entrance has blow away. Wait a minute, what's that?" he looked through the falling snow seeing some figures walking through it, "Um girls, I don't mean to cause a panic, but someone's outside and coming towards us."

"What?" the girls gasped.

"It's the abominable snowman!" The Narutaki's cried in fright.

"Wow, this could be a huge scoop." Kazumi said pulling out her camera.

"It can't be the abominable snowman, it's gotta be Chupacabra!" Asuna shouted.

"Shut up, already!" Ayaka called.

"Girls stay calm, Dustin and I will deal with this." Negi said as he and Dustin left the comfort of their blankets and grabbed their winter jackets going outside.

"Hold it right there!" Negi called gripping his staff.

"We're warning you, I got a fully charged spirit gun in my finger tip. And I'm not afraid to use it!" Dustin said aiming his spirit gun ready to fire until Zyphon shined some light onto the incoming intruders and to their shock.

Takahata chuckled, "Don't waste your spirit energy on us. We're not here to pick a fight."

"Takamichi?" Negi asked.

"That ain't all." Dustin gasped as they saw accompanying the teacher was Dean Konoe, Eishun, Prof Akashi, Nekane, Anya, Roswell Bowers, and Arthur Kaufman.

"Nekane, Anya!" Negi gasped.

"Dad, prof!" Dustin gasped.

"Negi!" Nekane cheered.

"Dustin!" Roswell cheered as they ran over and hugged.

The girls peeked out and Yuna and Konoka gasped, "Daddy!" they cried rushing outside to hug their fathers.

"Konoka!"

"Yuna!"

Anya spoke, "Yeah all swell, CAN WE GO INSIDE NOW?! I'M FREEZING!"

"Right come on in." Dustin said as they all went inside and noticed everyone wrapped in blankets before a makeshift fire.

"Oh my, you all look like your having fun." Nekane smiled.

"Dean Konoe, Takahata-sensei?" Asuna gasped.

"What're you all doing here?" Setsuna asked.

"Well we thought it would be better if we joined you here for Christmas, sorry we didn't make it here sooner." Dean Konoe explained.

"But how did you manage to get this far, when there was a snowstorm out there?" Kakizaki asked.

"It was weird, as we trekked through the snow we thought we'd be lost forever, and then we suddenly saw this bright light guide us here." Nekane explained.

"Bright light that led you here?" Sayo asked.

"Sounds like a miracle from heaven." Akira added.

"Yeah, a miracle alright," Roswell said and thought, 'One of your miracles I'll bet, Nagi.'

"Well we're sorry things here could have better conditions, but as you can see we have a bit of a problem right now." Negi said about the power outage.

"Well isn't this dandy?" Anya crossed her arms.

Suddenly the lights came back on as well as the heat, "Power's back!" the girls cheered.

Roswell thought with a smile, 'Never ends with you showboating, old friend.'

Ayaka approached, "Welcome everyone to the Yukihiro lodge. Please come and sit down, you all must be tired after such a long journey here."

"Arigato Ayaka." Dean Konoe said as they all sat down.

Negi and Dustin smiled as the spike haired boy spoke to his friend, "How about that Negi, our families got to come together and be with us for Christmas." Dustin said.

"I know, I don't think I've ever been this happy." Negi smiled as he and Dustin did their handshake out of excitement.

"This is great; now that the power's back Chao and I can get to work on Christmas dinner." Satsuki said.

"Yeah, everyone must be starving." Chao added.

"Oh I'll help to." Nekane offered.

"Thanks Nekane." Satsuki said as the three went to the kitchen to prepare their Christmas dinner.

Soon with the help of the lodge workers everyone was seated at a big table with loads of food placed on it and to top it off was a delicious looking Christmas turkey, "Wow, everything looks so good." Rin said.

"Chao and Satsuki, you once again outdid yourselves." Kazumi added.

"This calls for grace," Negi said as they all folded their hands, "Kami we want to thank you for this delicious meal, and for not only allowing us to be here together with our friends and family, but with new friends as well."

"Amen." The group said.

Takahata then carved the turkey and soon everyone was given some along with the other foods prepared for the feast. Before they could dig in Dustin stood up holding his glass.

"I'd like to make a toast, if you all don't mind," Dustin began, "Here's to friends, family, loved ones, and everyone else there is!"

"Here-here!" they all agree toasting and soon they started eating like a true family. As they ate Negi and Dustin would occasionally slip some food to Chamo and Domino, while Toothless remained hidden under the table and Rin fed him some scraps.

Unknown to them, a figure had been watching them from the window. He was dressed in a cloak with the hood up, but his gaze seemed to be focused on Negi. He thought, 'Negi, I'm sorry I can't there with you and Nekane for the holidays. But know this son, one day things will be different. I promise you.' He jumped backwards and disappeared.

Eva froze and looked back at the window thinking, 'It couldn't be, could it?'

After dinner everyone was back in the lounge talking while Negi and Dustin watched them, "I gotta tell ya Negi, I think this is one Christmas I'll never forget."

"It's one we all won't forget." Kaede said as she and Mana approached.

Mana then looked up and smiled nudging Kaede to look up and smile as well, "Girls?" Negi asked as the two tall girls motioned the boys to look up and to their surprise saw mistletoe.

"Mistletoe." Mana smiled.

"Probably full of nargles." Dustin said.

"What're nargles?" Kaede asked.

"I don't know." Negi chuckled.

So Negi and Kaede kissed while Mana and Dustin did. When their lips parted Kaede spoke, "Merry Christmas, Negi."

"Merry Christmas, Kaede." He replied.

"Merry Christmas, Dustin." Mana smiled.

""Merry Christmas, Mana." Dustin smiled back.

"Ahem." They looked seeing Negi's and Dustin's other partners.

"That ain't fair catching our senseis under the mistletoe so casually." Kazumi said.

"Yes, as their partners we also have a right to share such a moment." Ayaka added.

"Of course." Kaede chuckled as she and Mana stood the boys before the girls and each of them kissed their other partners.

In order of Negi's were Ayaka, Rin, Makie, Ku, Sayo, and Konoka. For Dustin the order was Kazumi, Yuna, Zazie, Kasuga, Chao, Chizuru, and Setsuna.

"Merry Christmas, Negi/Dustin." The girls said.

"Merry Christmas, girls." The two boys replied.

Soon everyone was sitting in the lounge as Zyphon pulled out a keyboard, "I believe this calls for some musical entertainment, wouldn't you say so master?"

"Agreed Zyphon, take it away." Dustin replied as his robot started playing.

As the robot played everyone relaxed and soon they were starting to sing about this being the best Christmas of all.

Soon everyone was sitting close together as Kazumi set a camera timer and ran to join the crowd as they announced, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Suddenly the camera took the picture and it zoomed out revealing a Christmas card from Negi and Dustin's class reading, 'Happy Holidays from Class 3A of Mahora Junior High'.

(And that's the chapter. It may be a little early but hey it's already the holidays. I'll still be updating the fic around December though. Well tune into next time.)