Authors Note: This chapter is a little lighter, no need for stress. Be warned, however, I am planning some new chapters that are going to be quite angsty. Thank you to KirikaAndo who has given me some great ideas for the up-and-coming chapters.

Disclaimer: Everything you see except Cordelia Bodes' plot belongs to J. K. Rowling.

The station was packed when Cordelia exited the train at the beginning of her Christmas holidays. Nobody seemed interested in staying at Hogwarts.

She had just spent a torturous train ride with eight people trying to ignore the hundreds of elephants dancing up and down wearing tutu's in the train compartment. During the ride, Cordelia had concluded that Ella was either the most idiotic or insanely hopeful person on the planet. She had really crossed the line into stupid this time.

She had invited Louis.

So there they were: Ella ignoring Cordelia, James ignoring Cordelia, Beatrice ignoring both Ella and Cordelia, Cordelia trying to ignore the rude comments she had formulated about them, Hazel ignoring everyone, Jasper ignoring everyone except Beatrice. It was really great for conversation. Henry and Louis sat in the middle of it all, Henry trying to be the peacekeeper especially between James and Cordelia who had started to call each other names by the end of the train ride and Louis was just way out of his depth.

Cordelia's eyes searched the platform for her parents, she could always spot her father from a distance because of his tall figure and the fact that he was always wearing high-vis shirts for his job.

But, this year she saw a big mop of brown, curly hair first.

"Will?" she said, unsure if it was actually her little brother.

The boy gave her a big smile and Cordelia knew it was him; she rushed forward and engulfed him in a hug, "What in the name of Merlins trousers happened to you?"

Will grinned, "People grow, stupid."

"Oh, thanks, it's not like I didn't know that or anything," retorted Cordelia, sarcastically. "I was just surprised; I've only been away for nearly four months!"

"Yes, but I generally assume you don't know anything about the 'muggle' world, you're too posh," said Will sneakily.

"Hey," she said, launching forward and grabbing him in a headlock. "Just because you're tall now doesn't mean you can give me cheek. I am the master."

They continued to bicker and wrestle as siblings do until they were interrupted by a woman with smile wrinkles wearing a strict suit and a man with sandy hair and a pen behind his ear.

"Sorry Cordelia had to park the car, it's mad out there," said her father, Christopher Bode.

The woman, Julie Bode turned to him, eyebrows raised, "It was only mad because you took that other man's parking spot. You nearly caused a brawl!"

"I don't think you saw it right," said her dad with a serious expression. Then, brighter, he added, "He was pretty mad, though, wasn't he?"

Her mum sighed, "At least I can defend you in court. Oh, hello!" She had just noticed Cordelia and gave her daughter a hug, "How was the term?"

"Great," replied Cordelia, now embracing her father. "Bit mad, like your parking spot dad, but I managed."

Her dad smiled down at her, "Well, you can tell us all about that in the car, I want to beat the traffic."

But Cordelia wasn't listening. She was watching a huge family to her left, engulfing red headed children. She saw a particular boy being hugged by his father and chastised by his mother, who seemed to find the way he had arrived disgraceful, Cordelia suspected he had jumped out and yelled, 'BOO!' which he had definitely overused in the past years. A beautiful girl with shiny scarlet hair was laughing hysterically, using the emerald-eyed boy to stop her from falling over.

Cordelia took a deep breath; she positively wasn't thinking that she should say goodbye. This was her chance to escape and get him out of her system!

But ... the thought of him being mad at her and vice-versa for two whole weeks when they should be enjoying Christmas was unthinkable. It had to be done. Temporary peace.

"I'll be back," she said quickly to her family and walked purposefully over to the Weasley-Potter clan, thinking about how much had changed since she had last been on this platform.

"Hurry up," her dad yelled. "The overheated imbecile has probably destroyed the car by now." This was Christopher pretending to have somewhere to be, but Cordelia knew that he was a big softie, he just missed his daughter.

About two metres from the group the family started noticing her and looking her up and down, she supposed they were wondering if she was one of those annoying fans. James saw his family all looking behind him and turned around, "Wha-?"

"James Potter," Cordelia stopped him. "You are an arrogant arse!"

Whoops, this was not what she had wanted to say.

James backed up, "Er ... Cordelia- what have I done?"

Cordelia scoffed, "Oh, how about his last month! What about that?"

Ginny Weasley was appraising her, looking from James to Cordelia as though trying to divulge their secrets.

"Oh," said James, sheepish realisation spreading across his face. "About that-."

"I don't care."

"No listen-,"

"No, you listen," interrupted Cordelia, feeling very uncomfortable doing this in front of his family. "I actually liked you James, and you can take that how you like, but I did and I know you like me back. Why would you think I wouldn't tell you unless I certainly couldn't?"

James seemed genuinely taken aback by the question, "Well, I don't know. I just wanted to know."

"Exactly, you wanted to know. Did you abolish our talk on Halloween from your memory?"

"Er ... no, but I ..." James looked sheepishly around at his family, Lily and Albus Potter were staring sceptically at him, eyebrows raised; mirroring their father.

Cordelia took a deep breath and stepped forward, placing her hands on his arms, light enough so he knew it was just friendly but strong enough so he knew she meant what she was about to say, "I know you're afraid. I am too." James looked at her questioningly and Cordelia continued, "Every day I wake up and know I have to face my problems alone, and it kills me. Every. Single. Time. But I do it because I know it's okay to be afraid as long as it doesn't change who you are. And that's what I'm asking you to do James, figure out who you are because I can't stand another minute of you treating me like some- sort of ... criminal, who doesn't deserve respect."

James' mouth fell open, "I wasn't trying to do that."

"I know," Cordelia smiled, relieved. "I just need you to understand that if I could tell you, I would, but I can't trust you when you are as unpredictable as the Hogwarts staircases."

James nodded.

"Alright then." She switched her focus. "Hello, James' family. I'm Cordelia Bode, the person whom everyone hates at the moment." And when the family continued to look blank she added, "I'm also the girl that James took to Hogsmeade if that rings a bell?"

The family just stared back at her for a few moments until:

"I like her," said Ginny Potter. And that was it, the family stampeded her with greetings and lots of questions.

After Cordelia was asked the question of, "Is James good in bed?" courtesy of George Weasley who was instantly told to shut up by his wife and caused both James and Cordelia to blush, she decided to take her leave.

"I have to go, family, you know."

She looked at James and pursed her lips, "Write to me?"

"Of course I will, I will write you a sonnet every day if you want," said James, smirking.

"Oh, very funny ... I just- anyway, have a great Christmas!" she stepped forward and gave him a tight hug, assuring him that she was alright even though she was far from it.

Somebody cleared their throat behind her, they broke apart.

Christopher Bode was no longer smiling, "So, my daughter says she needs to go somewhere, delaying our perfectly timed departure and I find her snuggling up to some boy."

James seemed to shrink next to her, Cordelia rolled her eyes, "Dad, this is James, James this is my dad. Now we can leave."

"No young lady, we cannot," Christopher put a hand on her arms to stop her going anywhere, "You never mentioned this boy in any of your letters."

Cordelia eyes glinted, "That's because we were doing things that I really didn't want to tell my father about."

As her father spluttered Cordelia took her leave, winking at James over her shoulder.

It was not fine, not by a long shot. But, Cordelia needed her friends, and, as much as she hated it, James had become her friend. She simply had to be very careful nothing spiralled out of control again. She had to reel in those pesky feelings that made butterflies jump around whenever she saw him, and, of course, if that meant she had to pretend that she was completely safe, so be it.

She had a plan, and if the people trying to capture her thought she was weak, they had another thing coming. Cordelia would do anything to protect her friends. She would be powerful, with or without time and spaces' assistance.

Dear princess,

I am writing to you because my family is over at my house (as if I didn't already see them enough) and the only way I can escape the questions about you (thanks for that, really) is to say I'm writing to you. So don't think you're special!

Anyway, Teddy is back from Asia now so we can finally do the prank on him we've been planning for months. I cannot tell you in case my mother intercepts this letter (which has happened in the past!) but if I am arrested sometime over new year's, you'll know it worked.

I can just imagine you reading this with that look on your face, the one that says, 'I-really-should-not-approve-of-his-immaturity-for-prefecty-reasons-but-it-actually-is-good-magic-and-I-do-tend-to-squash-the-mischievous-side-of-me.' Beautiful, just like this song:

God rest ye merry, hippogriffs

Let nothing fly away

Feel that blue sky, our saviour

Take off on Christmas day

To save us all from Circes power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy.

I have to stretch this out, it's only been two days and I don't have much to tell you so that is why I'm

sending you Christmas cheers through carols.

James.

James,

When did you start calling me princess? I'd like to know when and why if you please. I don't think I act like a princess; I pride myself in not needing any white-knight (as we've proved). I have to say, this letter I received from you warmed me to my core, I can always count on you to make me feel special. Maybe I should show this to my dad, would it decrease his fears? He would either hit you or hug you.

Oh, by the way, I haven't been saying anything to him about you which he thinks means we're doing unmentionable inappropriate things (use your imagination) (actually, don't). It is so funny to watch him swell up that I conveniently forgot to tell him that the most we did was snog ... on your bed ... at midnight. Hey, maybe it's best that I keep my mouth shut.

I liked your carol, I could almost hear your amazing singing voice (note heavy sarcasm).

Joy to the World, the war has gone!

Let us embrace the dawn;

Let every wand prepare him room,

And Magic and Merlin sing,

And Magic and Merlin sing,

And Magic, and Magic, and Merlin sing.

I just realised, writing that song down, that it's quite patriarchal, Magic Is Might sort of thing, don't you reckon?

On a more serious note, do you watch the news? Do you even have a television? If not, go buy a muggle newspaper and you'll see what I'm talking about, front page. I almost vomited. It's absolutely twisted.

So, hope that leaves you light and cheery inside and I will send you off now because my brother keeps making kissy faces at me, my mother happily repeats the phrase, 'When I was that age ...', and my father is pouting again.

Cordelia.

Princess,

I don't know why. It just happened, like with all these things, go with the flow. No, you are not one of the princess' in the tower, you are more like those new versions of a princess. You're like a hybrid of the two ice-sisters - a little insane and dreamy but also withdrawn and powerful. I think that sums you up quite well.

I really thought you cared about me but obviously, that was false hope since your dad is going to come and slay me in the night. I sleep with my mum's pygmy puff so ye be warned.

Cordelia, why are you so worried about this muggle news, it doesn't concern you. Relax. You have your own problems to deal with.

That is a funny way of looking at the generally-interpreted-as-happy song, are you one of those analytical people that grind good stuff into nothing?

Martin the mad-minded muggle

Has some very crazy toes

And if you ever saw them

You would even say they glow.

All of the other humans

Say it's fine and open gifts

They never fret about Martin

Killing them on Christmas Eve!

How's that for a song I changed myself!

James.

My dearest Gaston,

That song is quite troubling. Have you talked to someone about these feelings you're having? It didn't even rhyme! And before you ask, I am calling you Gaston because you don't know any original muggle fairy tales so you'll have to do some research to find that I'm intelligently insulting you. So HA!

And here's another 'HA' I prepared earlier: my father says he wants your address to send a letter to you. And I promise you from the deepest depths of my heart that I did all I could to stop him but, daddy's girl, what can you do? Expect the mild homicide threats within a week, adding to your Martin fears.

How can I not worry about those killings? They're people, aren't they? I just feel so helpless, not only am I just a teenager, but I feel so cut off from the muggle world. Soon as I'm out of Hogwarts I'm going to do my bit, you watch me little Gaston.

Seeing as it would be breaking a tradition here's another one for you:

We four founders of orient are,

Bearing truth we traverse afar.

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,

Following yonder star.

O star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Northward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Now, mine is actually good because it's not talking about a serial killer in a cartoon book. Does this make you feel homesick?

Also, I need an outsider's opinion: Is it considered strange if you weep while listening to 'With A Little Help From My Friends' and then 'Eleanor Rigby. And I know you've heard those songs since Henry and I went through that phase in Fifth Year. Please help me.

Happy two days' till' Christmas!

Princess (I've decided to embrace it).

To Snow Queen,

Now, I didn't understand your reference that you so politely labelled me and I decided a trip to a muggle library is long overdue. Did you know that there's such a thing where muggle's pay for someone to stick needles into their body? Crazy. So, I now know all the fairy tales, and I can't believe that you call Martin insane! One shoe size for one girl, a beautiful mermaid, someone with an overdose of the draught of living death; basically, it's mental.

You're the Snow Queen because you are not afraid to kill some poor, innocent boy. How could you? I thought you preferred me with fingers!

I'm terrified.

On another note, I wasn't having a go at muggles, I just know that you, Cordelia Bode, are too noble for your own good and will take this on as your problem and completely destroy yourself; for the rest of your life you'll be crying to the songs of last century (which, by the way, could be considered weird, but, with you being you and in your current situation I think the order of those songs was just cruel).

Here's another carol to serenade you on this freezing Christmas Eve (In my defence, I wrote the Martin song when I was eight):

Deck the halls with nets for nargles,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Tis the season to be cautious,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our odd apparel,

Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Troll the ancient woods and channels,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

I came up with this when all of Dad's friends came over tonight for Christmas Eve drinks. Merlin, Luna Lovegood is barmy (in a good way) but I can't deny I don't enjoy going ahead of the crowd and rattling the bushes. Brilliant.

Hope you have a good day tomorrow,

Prince Charming.

P.S. I attached your present, hope you like it.

Dear Prince Charming (shut up it's Christmas),

Can't write for long, I'm about to go over to my grandparents' house and eat my weight in Christmas pudding. Then, inevitably, perform the Heimlich manoeuvre to force someone to cough up the silver sixpence which is a tradition that my grandmother still swears by despite the two hospital trips in the past.

Thank you for the books, I know you thought they were funny but I think they're going to be quite useful. 'Magical Remedies and Other Useful Magic' is a book I've wanted forever (how did you know?) and 'A Witches Guide to Not Punching Boys' will be very handy in the coming months I'm sure.

So, Merry Christmas, I too have sent your present.

Love,

Cordelia.

James sat at the Christmas table in the open air. His overly large family contained too many people to sit inside, so here they were.

"What's that?" said Lily, leaning over to try and read the letter that had just arrived.

James snatch it up, "Hands off. It's private."

That word, 'Private' seemed to be some sort of trigger. Dozens of faces flashed towards him.

"Oh, is that what the flapping sound was, I was wondering," said Angelina Weasley, who was helping his Dad set the places. "Do you usually receive correspondence on Christmas Day?"

"Er ..." said James, trying to think of a good response. "Sometimes?"

His grandmother got up from her chair and walked behind James, "Is it from someone special?"

"No!" James' cheeks were tinged with pink.

"Well, I'm convinced," said Uncle Charlie, cheerily.

James scowled at him.

"Oh, leave him alone, I think it's terribly sweet," said his cousin Molly who was looking at him curiously, chin rested on perfectly manicured nails. Dominique, with whom he had always fought pretended to vomit behind her.

"Stop zat, madam," said Fleur to her daughter. Then to the sky, "Why did ze lord curse me with such ungraceful daughters?"

"Because he knew you could fix them," said Bill, laying a kiss on his wife's' head. Both of his daughters shot him dirty looks and he instantly offered to help with lunch

"Anyway, I think we've strayed from the path," said his mother, arms crossed. "Is a letter from Cordelia?"

"Yes."

Ginny broke into a big smile, "I knew you were going to get her someday."

James' shook his head, very confused, "She's been writing to me all holidays."

"James, honey," said his Aunt Hermione in an all-knowing voice as though she had had a lot of practice at this (growing up with his day she probably had). "Girls like Cordelia won't bother to write to someone on Christmas unless they really like who they're corresponding with. Just in the same way, they won't take time out of their day to be the bigger person like at the train station. Cordelia does everything because she feels she has to."

"Wait," said James, trying to wrap his head around what his Aunt was saying. "So are you saying she needed to write to me today?"

"No," said Aunt Audrey patiently. James' head swung towards her voice. "Cordelia wants to make sure that you know she cares for you. She probably wants to get in bed with you as well."

Everyone groaned, Audrey who was used to this reaction, threw her hands up in the air, "What? It's true!"

"The way I see it is what she writes in the letter," said Ron who was being forced by his wife to bring out the food.

His Dad finally spoke up, "I agree. James, look at how she signed off."

James quickly opened and scanned the letter, chuckling at her cynical approach to Christmas pudding. 'She was incredible,' he thought, 'Why does she bother with me?'

He saw the end and blanched.

"What!" yelled his grandmother. "What does it say?"

Albus yanked the letter out of James' hands and held it to his face. His expression changed from one of amusement to complete bewilderment.

"Oh, give it here you useless sods," said Lily Potter, taking the letter off Albus. She and Roxanne read the letter, eyes squinting against the sun.

"She loves him!" screamed Roxanne.

Baffled silence.

Then the table erupted into chaos.

Dear Mr James Sirius Potter,

I am writing to you because I'm under the impression, even with no verbal confirmation, that you have started a relationship with my daughter. I shall warn you now that if you hurt her in any way: physically, emotionally, etc. I shall find you. On another note, I think, however grudgingly, that you make Cordelia happy and because that is what matters, I will not be one of those evil overlord fathers.

Yours sincerely (definitely not threateningly),

Christopher Bode.

P.S. Please not that Cordelia is not permitted to partake in any sexual act until she is married so keep your hormones under control!

Dear Bea,

Hope you are enjoying a nice new year's eve.

DON'T TEAR THIS UP!

Trust me when I say I would never, ever, ever, purposely hurt you and please, I'm begging you, don't do anything rash, I care for you too much to let you do that.

I am happily anticipating seeing you again. And, to make this clear, I am not forcing you to hang out with us, whatever 'us' still exists, because if you're not ready you shouldn't do that.

I just want you to realise how much I love you. Beatrice, don't give up.

With all my heart,

Cordelia.

Henry my man!

Henry ... Henry ... Henry! ... HENRY! ... ARE YOU ALIVE!

You need to become better at letters, for all I know you could be hanging from a mountain, slowly slipping and desperately needing my help.

I need to talk to you about something because all Fred does is giggle and Jasper has mysteriously moved house again.

Please respond.

James.

P.S. How were your holidays.

James,

Thank you for that afterthought, my holidays have been good. Also, how would I send a letter if I'm dangling precariously from a cliff? Think about what you say before you write.

How about we meet in Diagon Alley on Saturday? I'll be there anyway because someone (Cough, Fred) has stolen all of my potions ingredients. Around 11:00?

Your, slightly exasperated, friend,

Henry.

Ella.

Make this right or I swear, this will be the last term you ever see.

With all my heart,

Cordelia.

THIS LETTER HAS BEEN SIGNED, TESTED, AND TRANSFERED ACCORDING TO THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC GUIDELINES, 1972.

To Mr Harry Potter,

Hello, my name is Cordelia Bode, and, needless to say, I'm a massive fan of yours. Anyway, I'm not writing about James, I have some information that might be of concern to you as your position of Head Auror. Please do not tell James about this because we're on thin ice but I think I might be in a little danger. I can't say anything more in case this gets into the wrong hands.

Cordelia Bode.

Harry Potter read and re-read the strange letter he had found on his desk. This was troubling, a muggle-born under threat? It was strange but not unheard of. But ... 'Bode', the name rang a bell somewhere in the buried corners of his memory.

He slowly took off his glasses and polished them on his shirt, thinking about how enamoured his son was. This explained what the fierce, golden-haired girl had been trying to explain to James on the platform, something about her was making his son worried about her safety.

Well, it was something to think about, and meanwhile, he would have to book an appointment at the school.

Bode! Harry remembered this name suddenly. Lockhart and a hospital bed. Poor Bode.

Harry grabbed a scrap of parchment and scribbled down a few words to send to Audrey down in archives. It was time to delve into the dark alleyways and sunlit gardens of the Bode family tree.

The girl is not unintelligent; you must not continue to pursue her so obviously. The strange result of that transportation you did has not helped the situation. No matter how many times she is struck down she will return, fiercer and stronger, natural stubbornness and courage combined with the power of space and time.

Use her weaknesses. I've seen her friends, especially the boy, all crowded around her, convinced they need to save her. Do what you must to them and she will come running. You have my word.

Authors Note: So a bit mysterious at the end. Hope you liked the chapter.