CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

SNOWBALLS AND HAPPINESS

After a few emotional minutes of hugging, we take turns at going into the bathroom and getting dressed. Molly goes in first and I sit on my bed and look in at Erela. She hoots at me happily and I talk to her.

"Hello Lovely. Do you like this room? When we get back to Hogwarts, you'll be living with loads of other owls. You'll have loads of friends. And- Oh Molly, you look great!" Molly steps out of the bathroom wearing light blue jeans and a loose, red top, her make-up natural and pretty. But then I see her face. Tears rool down her cheeks, not for the first time today, and her expression is aggitation, "Molly, what's wrong?" I ask her, standing up.

"My jeans ... they don't fit." She pulls up her top to reveal her jeans won't zip or button due to her small but prominent bump.

"That's nothing to worry about. Don't cry." I tell her.

"But if they see ..."

"They won't. Molly, you're a witch, cast a spell! It'll be fine, shhh." She starts making loud hiccup sounds and I realise she's laughing, "What-what's funny?"

"No-nothing, I - I just, haha, I can't help it. You're right, I'll g-go make them b-bigger." She giggles.

"Ok... I'm going to go get dressed. Will you be Ok?" I say uncertainly, but she nods at me through her laughter. I go into the bathroom with my clothes in hand. I shower quickly and get dressed in a new pair of black jeans, an orange t-shirt and a bright blue jumper. I do my make-up quickly and not a lot of it. Then I go back into the empty bedroom. Molly must have gone downstairs. I decide to write a letter to Caleb. Quickly I run down to the livingroom, where only Rose is sitting, buried in a book, and grab my new quill and ink from Hugo. Then I race back to my room, pull out some parchment I borrowed from Rose a while ago and sit down at the dressing table. I begin to write.

Dear Caleb,

Merry Christmas. I hope you are having a good time. I miss you like crazy and can't wait to see you at the party. Only 6 more days! How are you? Are you having a good time? I'm having a great time with everyone. I forget just how much I miss my family when I'm not with them.

What did you get for Christmas? I got the owl that is delievering this message. Her name is Erela, isn't she gorgeous? I also got some clothes, an opinionated mirror, books and even (drumroll) a hand-written apology from James. I know, unbelievable! But it's real and it's actually kind of sweet in a "I really don't want to admit I'm wrong" kind of way.

I will give you your Christmas present at the party. It's not much but I think you'll like it. I hope you'll like it. But you don't have to get me anything, really.

In case you ask, no, I haven't told my family about us yet. But I promise I will do it soon.

See you soon,

Yours Sincerely,

Lily

I know the "Yours Sincerely" bit sounded too formal. Everytime I write a letter to him I debate writing "Love From" but ... I can't. There's no doubt in my mind that I love Caleb but I'm not sure I'm ready to say that yet, especially via letter. I want the first time I say it to be special. No secrets and no problems, just me and him.

After tying my letter around Erela's leg, I let her fly out of the window and go downstairs.

"Lily! Great timing. We are going outside for a snowball fight, c'mon." Says Freddie the minute he sees me. I roll my eyes but pull on a warm coat anyway. Every year there is a snowball fight and I never want to take part. But I always do, out of obligation, and it's actually quite enjoyable. When I'm not being hit in the face. Hard. The boys in our family don't exactly hold back, even when they are versing girls. Most years we just all hit whoever we can and get hit in return, but a few years ago we did boy vs girls - Roxie had a blackeye for days, and the boy weren't so pretty themselves - James' nose got broken!

The adults all stay inside and help make dinner and do whatever adults do, but Teddy and Vic always join in. This year I team up with Molly (to make sure she doesn't get hurt), Teddy and Rose. We hide behind a massive pile of snow in the garden, out of sight, and build snowballs for a while, stocking up. When we have about 40 Teddy gathers about 10 into his arms and runs to ambush Freddie and James, who are picking on Dom and Vic. Rose giggles and runs after him, throwing snowballs around randomly. But Molly and I just stay where we are, sitting in companionable silence.

After a few hours we all go back in the house. I'm freezing but not half as wet as I normally am. I go upstairs and pull on a pretty, white, floaty-sleeved top and my silk, black skirt. I re-do my hair and make-up and then I go down for Christmas dinner with my family.

When everyone finally gets down, we all sit around the massive table, ladden with delicious food and drink. Everyone looks amazing and happy. This is my favourite part of Christmas - sitting together, one big, happy family. No drama, or worries, or problems - just for one day. I know that tommorow will be different. Molly will tell everyone that she's pregnant and they'll be a lot of arguing and whispering and discussions. But today ... today we can be happy and normal. I don't want today to end.

After hours and hours of talking and laughing and playing games, I eventually dragged myself upstairs to bed. Only after I've wiped off all my make-up and pulled on my pajamas, do I noticed that Erela is back in her cage and a letter addressed to me is sitting on the dressing table.

"Molly?" I whisper towards her bed. She came up a while ago, "Are you awake?"

"Yeah." She mumbles and sits up, turning on her bedside table light.

"Did you let Erela in?" I ask while I feed my owl some nibbles.

"Yes. She only got back about 10 minutes ago. Who's the letter from?" She asks. I open the letter even though I already know it's from Caleb. I can tell by his handwriting. Besides, who else would be sending me a letter.

Dear Lily,

Merry Christmas to you too! I'm glad you haven't forgotten me in the excitement of Christmas, but I guarantee I miss you more. I'm enjoying be home and enjoying building snowmen with the twins. But yesterday Josie told me it was sexist to only make snow-men so we made a snow-woman too. Like I said, I've been having loads of fun but I am obsessively counting down the days until I can see you.

For Christmas I got loads of things - clothes, money, etc - but my best present was a new broomstick and a signed Puddlemere United calander. So cool. For Christmas dinner some of my family will be coming over, Aunt and Uncle, two cousins and one set of Grandparents, but I bet our house will be nowhere near as noisy as yours. I wonder if you'll even get this letter by tonight.

Also - of course I've got you a present. Not a big thing, but something sure enough. Can't wait to see you. Please tell your family soon.

Merry Christmas,again,

Caleb.

"Lily? Ohhh is it the secret boyfriend." Molly smiles, knowingly. And suddenly I don't want Caleb to be the secret boyfriend, not anymore. I promise myself I will tell my family soon and right now ... I'm going to take the first step.

"Molly ..."

"What?"

"Can I tell you something? You can't tell anyone else though, not yet. I will tell them just ..."

"Tell them what? You're scaring me. Don't tell me you're knocked up too?" She laughs, slightly bitterly, at her own joke.

"No. But ... my boyfriend ... Well, you know how I haven't really told anyone who he is? It's because it's Caleb."

"...Who?" Says Molly. She's tired, I think.

"Al's best friend." Her eyes light up in understanding and her mouth opens with a "pop".

"Oh. How? I mean ... I get why you've kept this a secret. Al's going to ..."

"Go crazy." I put in sadly.

"Lily, you know how protective he is. How they all are." She breaks off and there's a long silence, "Well ... at least you're not pregnant." And then we burst out laughing.

I fall asleep trying to figure out when my cousin became of of my best friends.

Hi guys. Sorry I took so long but I've been pretty busy and o be honest this chapter was hard to write, simply because of lack of action. But I promise the next one will be much more action packed because DUN DUN DUN ... Molly's secret is revealed. How do you think everyone will react? Also just to tell you I've decided to make this book a sort-of series. Like tell the year, every secret, from each of the cousins perspective. I've already wrote the first draft of the first chapter of Molly and Dom's but I was wondering who's perspective you all would want to read?

Read, Review, I love you x