Well my new years resolution is going swimmingly so far! Apologies for how long the update has taken- I have had so much work! Any way, I now intending to update at least once a month- and I will be sticking to this.

Rumours spread like fire following the first task, as everyone tried to figure out what exactly had happened when the Magic School Champion had faced his dragon. Theory's ranged from Wyatt somehow getting his hands on Godric Gryffindor's sword, to him being a Dragon Lord who had the power to command all dragons, and the true story of him being heir to Excalibur seemed to have been lost in the mix.

As a result, Wyatt had been thoroughly shoved in the spot light, and Harry had somehow returned to near anonymity, as the Hogwarts students clamoured to know more. Rita Skeeta even published a follow article to her report about the four Champions, describing some sort of epic showdown between the two prophesised children- once more ignoring the remaining champions.

Wyatt relished this new attention, unable to prevent a grin spreading across his face as he walked down the hallway past rows of staring student, or as he walked into the great hall and girls clamoured to sit with him. Students from all houses suddenly fell at his feet, particularly the Ravenclaws and Slytherins who didn't have a Champion of his own. Even Draco Malfoy, who had shown no previous interest in either Wyatt or Chris suddenly seemed to appear everywhere Wyatt did- although he never spoke.

No doubt he would have enjoyed the popularity far more, if it weren't for the announcement made on Thursday evening.

"Hey, what's up?" Asked Chris when he returned to the magic school common room that evening only to find Wyatt slouched moodily in on if the chairs.

"Haven't you heard the news?" Asked Callum cheerfully, "Hogwarts is having a Christmas ball." Chris nodded to indicate that he had heard, but didn't understand what was so bad about it. "Well your dear brother here is expected to attend said ball with a member of the fairer sex, and dance the first dance with said female." He explained with a grin. Chris shrugged, still not understanding Wyatt's mood.

"So what's the problem?" He questioned, "It's not like half the girls in this place aren't already in love with you, and you're hardly going to have difficulty in getting a date."

"An astute observation, my young friend." Congratulated Callum, "Yet I fear you are forgetting the one unassailable obstacle that is Katherine." Chris sighed, finally understanding the problem.

Katherine was Wyatt's girlfriend of two years from magic school. She lived in Texas with six older sisters and as the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, she was extremely powerful, not to mention attractive- the two main reasons Wyatt fell for her in the first place. In fact if it weren't for her possessive nature it is perfectly plausible that he would still love her.

"Ah, Katherine the controlling." Sighed Chris, finally understanding his brother's predicament. "I thought you were meant to break up with her before we came out here."

"I tried." Moaned Wyatt. "But it was like she already knew what I was going to say and just kept changing the subject until I gave up. She kept going on about how I was going to teach her potions and then he grades would improve and we'd spend a wonderful year in Britain together, so I..."

"...taught her the wrong potions and made her fail to avoid the whole conversation." Finished Callum proudly.

"I don't get how you fought dragon two days ago without a second thought and are now terrified of a witch." Said Chris, sinking into a chair next to them.

"Dragons can be slain, girls can't." Pointed out Wyatt- sounding rather bitter, "They can come after you, and so can their sisters." Callum and Chris both laughed, taking strange pleasure in Wyatt's troubles. "Maybe she won't find out about the ball..." He hoped, "Maybe I could just ask someone else."

"Yeah, it's not like two of her friends came here with us, or that she interrogates Melinda every week to find out everything you've been up to." Said Chris sarcastically. "Look, I hate to say it but you might just have to invite her." Wyatt's eyes widened at this suggestion.

"I'd rather face all four of those dragons at once." He stated hollowly.

"Then break up with her!" Exclaimed Chris, but again Wyatt shook his head. "Then what are you going to do?" He pressed.

"Maybe I could just skip it." He proposed, "I mean it's on Christmas day, Mum would be upset if we weren't there, I mean with the time difference, the ball would take place right through lunch.

"The excuse works for Chris, but you're a champion; you have to be there- it's traditional." Pointed out Callum.

"Then I guess I'll just have to run." Sighed Wyatt, "I've always wanted to explore Europe. " Callum thought about it for a second.

"Now that could work." He agreed. The three boys all grinned once more, before the conversation turned to which of the French girls Callum planned to invite, a conversation that lasted about half an hour before the attention turned to Chris.

"What about you little brother?" Asked Wyatt, "Who are you going to ask?"

Xx

Chris already knew exactly who he wanted to ask, it was just a question of how he was going to do it. He attempted to ask several times over the last weeks of term, but every time he was always interrupted by Harry or Ron as the three of them seemed to be together every hour of every day now that Ron and Harry were speaking again- making it almost impossible for Chris to have a private moment with Hermione to ask.

Fortunately, an opportunity presented its self in the final week before the holidays in the unexpected form of a potions test. Hermione, naturally, intended to occupy herself in studying whereas Harry and Ron were far too preoccupied with thoughts of the Yuel Ball and Christmas. This meant that by Thursday, the boys had grown bored of the endless hours they were spending in the library, and so were beginning to spend less time with her- giving Chris the opportunity he needed.

As Hermione had arithmancy while Chris had a free hour, he decided to head back to his common room to drop off his bag and collect his potions books, before meeting her in the library. He had just reached the seventh floor, however, when he noticed a figure sneaking through the shadows, peering in through doors and stroking walls, as if searching for something. Chris edged nervously closer, also shrinking into the shadows to avoid the figures attention. He was just about to apprehend the figure, when it foolishly past a window, momentarily lighting up the features of its face and allowing the light to bounce off the light hair.

"Malfoy?" Said Chris, making Draco spin around in surprise. "What are you doing up here?"

"None of your business, Halliwell." He sneered back, making to push past Chris to go back in the opposite direction. Chris, however, was suspicious, and grabbed Malfoy's upper arm preventing him from leaving. "Let go of me you freak." Hissed Malfoy, slyly pulling out his wand with his free hand.

"What were you looking for?" Pressed Chris who, not used to dealing with threats from wands had his guard down. Malfoy said nothing, but gripped his wand slightly firmer, readying himself to strike. "If you're not going to tell me, then maybe I should go find a teacher."

"It's my schools." Hissed Malfoy, "I can go where I please.

"This is my part of the school, and you have no reason to be here." Answered Chris coolly.

Malfoy didn't even bother to argue; instead he lashed out with his wand, sending a jet of red light at Chris' arm, tearing through his clothes into his skin, forcing Chris to release his grip. Chris let out a small yelp of surprise, stepping back from the sneering Slytherin he didn't particularly want to use his powers against him, and hoped that by backing off, Draco might simply leave. Malfoy, however, had different ideas. Owing to Chris' skill at potions, speed of learning spells and choice of friends, Malfoy already greatly disliked the American, and now him backing away only made him seem weak- giving Malfoy the perfect opportunity to prove himself superior.

He sent out another jet of light, this time aimed at Chris' face. This time, Chris saw it coming as was able to move out of the way, diving to the floor so the jet barely scratched his ear. Deciding that passivity was perhaps not the best strategy, Chris threw out his arms, sending Malfoy slamming into the wall, but not before a third flash of light tore at his ankle. With a flick of his fingers, Chris disarmed Malfoy, giving him time to stand up from the floor and limp towards him.

"You know, I didn't actually think you were up to anything more than tracking down a girl or something, but now I know you're up to something that you don't want other people to know about, and I assure you that I will get to the bottom of it."

"What are you going to do?" Mocked Malfoy, "Run to your brother and beg for his help?"

"No." Replied coolly, "because if I did that then he'd kill you for hurting me, and I would never find out what you are up to, and I want to know what's so important that you feel the need to attack me." Malfoys eyes narrowed, and Chris knew he believed he could get to an answer. He released the boy from his telekinetic grip, before walking, or more accurately limping, away. He considered going to his dormitory to find his potions book, but as that was most likely the thing Draco was looking for, he thought better of it and instead proceeded directly to the library.

He was early to meet Hermione, so occupied his time by finding the library's copy of his potions text book and then finding a spare table where they could work. Thanks to the curse Malfoy had shot at him, his ankle was in great pain, and he was struggling not to wince with every step he took. He could feel blood dripping from his ear and arm and knew he needed to cover up his injuries as best he could before he ran into Wyatt.

"What happened to you?" Asked a shocked Hermione a few minutes later when she noticed Chris' arm and the bloody tissue he was pressing against his ear. Chris decided he could tell Hermione the truth. She was far more reasonable than Wyatt, and knew she too would be more curious about Malfoy's motives than getting revenge for the attacks.

He recounted the whole story as she gently used a few Charms she knew to clear up the blood and to close the wounds. He would still have the scars, and his ankle wasn't fixed, but at least the bleeding had stopped and some of the pain had disappeared.

"So you've known him for a long time." Finished Chris, "What do you think he was after?" Hermione considered the question for a moment. The only think Malfoy was likely to be after was the Magic School common room, as there was nothing else in that part of the corridor. But he must know it would be protected, and besides- what was he planning if he did get inside?"

"Didn't you say he's been hanging around Wyatt a lot recently?" She remembered. "Maybe he was looking for him."

"Why would he want Wyatt?" Asked Chris.

"Chris he's the heir to Excalibur." Pointed out Hermione. "I know not many people believe that story, but if Malfoy did, well he would know the amount of power that comes with that title, it's possible he wants to get on Wyatt's good side to try and share in his power." Chris frowned; it was a reasonable suggestion but...

"Then why would he attack me." He reasoned, "I mean if you're trying to befriend a guy, you don't attack his brother." Hermione shrugged. She didn't pretend to have a working knowledge of the way Draco's brain worked. He tended to think irrationally, especially under pressure, so it was possible he had acted out of instinct, rather than thought, and yet the way Chris described it made it seem like he knew exactly what he was doing so what was he after? Neither of them had any more thoughts on the matter just yet, so they turned their attention on the potions test the following day, and so absorbed themselves in their studies until it was almost dinner time.

"I'm sorry I can't heal your leg." She apologised as they made their way out of the library. "Maybe you should go and see madam Pomfrey." She suggested. Chris shook his head.

"It's okay for now," He told her, trying not to wince, "and if it gets any worse I'll tell Wyatt I tripped over on the stairs or something and he'll just heal it for me." Hermione stopped dead in her tracks.

"Wait, he can heal as well?" She asked incredulously.

"I told you that." Replied Chris, surprised at her surprise. Hermione shook her head certainly.

"No... You said he was the prophesised twice blessed child giving him strong powers from telekinesis to sending heat waves from his hands which can vanquish demons. You said he can teleport anywhere in the world and speak the language of anyone speaking to him- as can you- and that before he was two, the lady of the lake appeared to your mother, asking her to protect the sword in the stone, which it later turned out rightfully belonged to Wyatt." She recounted incredulously. "You never said anything about being able to heal the sick."

"I told you we were half White-lighter." He reminded her.

"Yes, but you don't have the power to heel." Countered Hermione. "I thought you and he would have inherited the same powers."

"Powers take different times to come through." He explained, trying to shrug off the renewed feelings of inferiority to Wyatt. "He's more powerful, so his powers were there pretty much from the start, but I couldn't do anything until I was about two." Hermione nodded and, seeing that this wasn't Chris' favourite topic, didn't ask for more information, even though she was dying to know more about how his active powers worked.

"So what next?" She said jokingly. "I'm I going to find out your Grand Father was and elf and that you can actually fly, or maybe in the net task, he's going to throw thousands of galleons into the crowd and announce your also an eighth Leprechaun." Chris chuckled.

"No. Although my aunt's actually good friends with quite a few leprechauns and my uncle is a Cupid." Hermione stopped in her tracks, and turned to him to see if he was joking or not.

"Seriously?" She asked when Chris showed no signs of lying. "You're really related to a cupid?" Chris nodded. "I'm guessing then that all the pictures of cupids being little babies with wings and bows are made up." Chris laughed and nodded again and they continued to walk down the corridor.

"Hey, speaking of cupids..." He began already kicking himself for the lame opening. "Have... um... have you got a date to the Yuel ball yet?" Hermione blushed slightly, trying to hide smile as she bashfully shook her head. "Oh good..." He sighed. "...I mean, not good that no one's asked you... because obviously you should have been asked on the first day... I mean not that I hoped someone would... I just thought that..."

"Chris-"

"Right...yeah, I'm babbling, sorry, I'm just nervous I guess." He stopped again, and turned to face her, summoning his courage and trying to remember exactly how Wyatt asked out all his girlfriends. "I was just thinking that maybe you and I might go together." He asked, looking down at his feet and holding his breath until she answered.

"I'd love to." Replied Hermione, not needing to think about it for a second. Chris looked up at her with a mixture of surprise and joy on his face.

"Really?" He asked in disbelief. She laughed and nodded her head. "Great! That's umm... Thanks!" They once more resumed walking along the corridor, neither knowing what to say now. "Um, are you coming down to dinner?" He asked although he no longer felt hungry.

"No, I think I'm just going to go back to the Gryffindor tower and finish off my arithmancy essay. But you should come to the common room later and we'll try and work out what Malfoy was up to." Chris nodded his head. He wasn't hungry and would much rather just go with her now, but he didn't want to seem stupid by just following her around everywhere, so instead he watched her turn the corridor towards the common room, and then reversed back the other way, heading to his own room to change out of his torn clothes before meeting her.

He had thought that the common room would be deserted and that everyone would have gone down to the great hall. He therefore didn't think twice about collapsing into one of the cosy armchairs by the fire, and taking off his shirt to examine his wounds.

"What the hell happened to you?" Came a familiar voice behind him. Chris turned in his chair to see a very concerned looking Callum descending the staircase from the dormitories. "Did someone attack you?" Chris hurriedly put his bloodied shirt back on and got up from the chair.

"It's nothing." He dismissed, trying to get past the half manticore.

"It doesn't look like nothing." Argued Callum, not moving out of Chris' way. "Who did this?"

"No one." Insisted Chris. He knew Callum was more rational than Wyatt, and even thought his insight Malfoy's motives might be useful, but he also knew that he would tell Wyatt and that he didn't really want Draco to be harmed. "Look, just drop it will you."

"Fine." Conceded Callum, a little too easily for Chris' liking. "I'm going down to dinner- I said I'd meet your brother there." Chris rolled his eyes. "Maybe I should mention to him your limp, cut ear and damaged arm." Callum had always had an ability at spotting injuries and weakness. They had always supposed it was a talent that came from his manticore half, it occasionally came in useful if one of the Halliwells were unknowingly injured following a demon attack, but in this case it was just an inconvenience to Chris.

"It's not his business either." Pointed out Chris angrily. "Don't tell him." Callum didn't reply. "Please! You know I can handle more then he gives me credit for." He argued. Callum shrugged, but nodded his head before leaving the room. Chris hoped that meant he wasn't going to tell on him, but he decided he didn't want to be in the common room when the boys returned, so he quickly changed and headed towards the portrait of the fat lady.

Ron and Harry had already returned from an early dinner when he got there, and Hermione was telling them the story of his run in with Malfoy. Both boys were very interested in what he could have been doing up there, and the four of them spent a very enjoyable evening playing exploding snap while coming up with ideas of what he could have been up to.

Most of their ideas were ludicrous, but Chris didn't care. This was why he didn't want Wyatt to get involved. With him and Callum, Chris was always just the younger, weaker kid brother who shouldn't get involved with anything dangerous- effectively he was the damsel in distress. Here, however, his friends listened to him and trusted his opinion- they were equal. He had never really had that in the magical world, as most of his proper friends seemed to be mortal. But here in Hogwarts was different, and it was perhaps the happiest Chris had ever been.

So Christmas is probably going to take me a few chapters- not least because it was always my favourite part of the book!

Thank so much for your kind reviews and for continuing to read this story!