A/N: Hello lovely people, I want to thank all new followers for joining us in our adventure. I hope everyone likes this chapter, and that you will send any suggestions and/or questions my way. Also, please make my day a little brighter by leaving a review! Love you all!

Chapter 16

When Amelia opened her eyes, she found Fred's blue eyes staring straight back at her.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." She stretched, sighing contently.

"What time is it?"

"Around five-ish." He answered.

"What? How long ago did the others go to bed?" Fred shrugged.

"An hour or two , I think."

"And you stayed up with me?" He smiled that sweet smile, that she loved so much, making her want to sit up and kiss him until he saw stars. So that's exactly what she did. She climbed into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and looked him in the eyes for a moment, before pressing her lips softly against his. It took him less than a second to react to her kiss, wrapping one arm around her waist, while the other found its way around her shoulders, his fingers finding their way into her dark curls. Amelia felt strangely at ease with this situation. She was not sure if it was because there was no one in the common room, because their secret was out in the world or simply because it was with Fred. She decided to just enjoy his company for a while longer, before heading up to bed, knowing that she would regret staying up this late the next morning.

X- Harry Potter –X

"Lia! Wake up lazy!" Amelia groaned and pulled the blanket over her head, trying to shut out Katie's chipper voice. In the background she could hear Angelina and Alicia giggling.

"Ugh.. Go away." Katie put her hands to her sides, shaking her head with a grin.

"Listen, I'd be the first to agree that you desperately need your beauty sleep," Amelia pulled down the blanket just enough to shoot her a deadly look, as Angelina and Alicia started full-out laughing now.

"I love you too Kates."

"- but you really have to get out of bed. It's Christmas, remember?" Katie went on, not in the least disturbed by face Amelia was making.

"Besides," Angelina chimed in. "you wouldn't want to make the boys wait, would you? You remember what happens if they get bored." Those words were exactly what Amelia needed to hear, seeing as she immediately jumped out of bed and was dressed within five minutes. She quickly pulled a brush through her hair and performed a quick cleaning spell, deciding that she would take a shower that evening.

"There, happy now?" Alicia threw her mascara towards Amelia, ordering her to put it on. When she'd finished, Amelia followed her friends down the stairs, meeting Ginny halfway there. When she reached the bottom step, she immediately noticed Fred looking at her, making her blush. She smiled at him, before letting her eyes roam the common room, giggling at the enormous pile of gifts stacked in the corner of the common room. They had agreed to wait until everyone in their house was together that evening, before unwrapping their gifts.

"Well, I could use some breakfast. Who's with me?" George voice broke the easy silence that hung around their group, as the girls took in the stack of gifts. Agreeing voices came from everyone but Amelia, who had just noticed the miserable girl taking up the window seat, hiding her tears from everyone else.

"You go ahead, I'll meet you there." She said. Fred stepped toward her, looking into her eyes.

"Are you sure?" Amelia nodded towards Hermione, making Fred also look at the window seat. "Yeah, I'll be right behind you. I just want to know what's wrong with her." Fred nodded, before pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"You know where to find me, if you need me. Oh and before I forget:" He pecked her quickly on the lips. "Good morning, girlfriend." She couldn't help but giggle, even though she was a bit uncomfortable with his public display of affection. Their group left the common room, as Amelia made her way over to Hermione.

"Okay, spill." Noticing Hermione looking at her uncomfortably. "And don't even try to tell me that there's nothing wrong." A sigh left the younger girl's body.

"It's nothing really. Just… ugh… Stupid Ron." Amelia felt her muscles tense.

"What did that wanker do this time?"

"He's just being an idiot. At first he made me feel bad, asking me as a last resort. And then, when I'm having one of the best nights of my life, he accuses me of fraternizing with 'the enemy'. That idiot!" By the time Hermione had stopped talking, tears were once again streaming down her face. Amelia was positively seething, her muscles tense and her vision flashing red. It took her a minute to calm down, before she could talk to Hermione again.

"Hermione Granger, you are one of the most remarkable girls I have ever met. You are sweet, beautiful, caring and the most clever person this world has ever seen. If Ron keeps screwing up like this, he's not even worth thinking about it. Yes, I know he's one of your best friends and I know he's part of the most loving family I've ever known, but he's positively thick. You deserve so much better. I'll tell you what, you can come and hang out with us as much as you want, while you think about what you want to do about him. And if you decide that someone needs to talk, or beat if you'd like, some sense into him, I'll gladly do that for you. Now stop bawling over that baboon and come have breakfast with us." Amelia seemed to have gotten through to Hermione, because the younger girl dried her tears and got up, letting herself be pulled towards the great hall. Just before they walked through the giant doors, Hermione suddenly turned to Amelia.

"Thank you Amelia, you really are like my big sister, you know that?" Amelia smiled at her, before hugging Hermione gently. They were both smiling again, when they sat down with Amelia's friends.

X- Harry Potter –X

All Gryffindor students that stayed behind had taken up residence in front of the fire, as the only two first years picked gifts one by one. The house elves had prepared snacks for them and there were more than enough butterbeers. Amelia had managed to find a spot directly in front of the fire, surrounded by her friends. Hermione was seated next to her, pointedly ignoring the stares Ron was throwing their way and Fred was laying on the floor, grinning up at Amelia every now and then. Hermione had just opened the talking planner Amelia and the twins had gotten for her, and was already filling in some things, making the planner shout out different assignments for the start of next term. To her right, Angelina was just unwrapping a new broom kit, while animatedly talking to Lee and George. Meanwhile Amelia was daydreaming, enjoying the lack of drama and the lack of secrets to keep. Well, except the identity of her father of course. She couldn't help but think about her dad, out in the cold. Her and Fred had sent him some warm clothes and food, hoping he'd be warm enough. Her father had jokingly mentioned that he'd be spending the winter in a heated dog house. She was shook out of her thoughts, when Melanie, one of the first years, handed her a lumpy package, that obviously held her knitted sweater. She also knew what colour it would be. As she pulled out the cosy garment, that made her think of Christmases spent at the Burrow, she grinned at the colour. Mrs Weasley had once started using it, because Amelia had joked about how the colour would give her nightmares of the twins' eyes. Ever since then it had been her colour. Now she was happy, because it made her think of Fred. She let herself being distracted by the fact that another year had passed, and for a moment she felt guilty. Not even a year ago her and Oliver had been spending Christmas together, and this year she had barely managed to send him a gift and a letter, while spending almost an entire night snogging Fred. She was pulled out of her thoughts, when Fred softly squeezed her hand.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Amelia shook her head, indicating that she was okay, before putting her attention towards George, who was unwrapping the knitted winter gear she had gotten him. He wouldn't find out it was enchanted with an itching spell until he actually used them outside. Pretty soon another present was pressed into her hands. It was a small box, beautifully wrapped in red paper with a small golden bow on top. She carefully opened the package, revealing a delicate necklace. The necklace held a small glass bottle, containing a very tiny and detailed replica of the Burrow. At the moment there was snow falling down on its tiny roof, giving it the feel of a winter wonderland. A small squeeze from Fred told her that it was him who had given her the jewelry, so she sent him a soft smile, turning his way so he could put it around her neck.

X- Harry Potter –X

Amelia, Fred, George, Angelina, Katie and Hermione were sitting in the common room, chatting away, when an ungodly sound came from the boy's dorms. Hermione let out an annoyed sigh, muttering something about men being annoying. Amelia's eyes flicked towards the staircase, as she contemplated going up there, to talk to her nephew. He had been opening that egg several times a day now, hoping to figure out what the clue was. She had been trying to help him every chance she got, often being late for studying sessions she had planned with the girls or the planning of pranks with Lee and the twins. The noise had stopped as soon as it started, but they knew they'd be hearing it again and again and again, if they didn't go deaf within the next five minutes. By the third time the egg screamed, the group was concentrating back on their own things. Hermione had gone back to reading her favorite book, while Angelina and Katie talked about having another girls' night soon. George, Lee and Fred were combing through the muggle prank books, looking for ways to irritate teachers. As she stared at her friends, Amelia let her mind wander. She'd noticed that she had been easily distracted lately, drifting off to insignificant moments of her day, not even knowing why. Right now, for instance, she was pulled into the walk she had taken through the courtyard and the grounds this afternoon. She'd been enjoying the way the castle looked, covered in a layer of fresh snow, owls flying to and from the owlery, carrying gifts and letters. She loved the sound of the snow crunching beneath her feet and the chatter of students. A memory of some Hufflepuffs passing by her, chatting about the tournament and something about Cedric crossed her mind. Suddenly she shot up, making the rest jump in their seats.

"Lia? What's wrong?" Fred frowned at her, as she started pacing the floor.

"I think I might have a solution to the egg problem." She said, before turning to Hermione, who was looking back at her, wide-eyed. "Didn't you say Harry told Cedric about the dragons?"

"Yeah, but I don't see how that will solve the problem." Amelia grinned at her.

"Well, I kind of overheard some Hufflepuffs talking about Cedric figuring out the egg." Her friends all raised their eyebrows.

"So?" Angelina said, clearly thinking Amelia had gone of her rocker.

"So, Cedric's a Hufflepuff. And we all know those suckers are a loyal bunch. Cedric won't be able to cope with not repaying the favor." Fred seemed to get her train of thought.

"So all we have to do is wait and see." She really hoped she was right, for Harry's sake.