You always learn the hard way that you can't escape your problems. Sometimes you learn this the hard way.

I reach for a third piece of toast. I've been stress eating. The flurry of owl wings does not help my situation. Rusty's copper feathers in front of me don't help either. Nor the red envelope in his beak.

I carefully take the Howler, holding my breath. Obviously, Ash is just sat – blissfully unaware – eating her cereal beside me. She was only slightly disturbed by the newfound experience of the owls flying in. I know I cannot get away from this so like a plaster I rip open the letter and my mother's voice screeches out:

"LYRA BLACK. HOW DARE YOU DISGRACE MY FAMILY. HOW DARE YOU ASSOCIATE WITH THAT DISGUSTING HOUSE! HOW DARE YOU DISHNOUR OUR NAME! HOW DARE YOU DISOBAY ME. I ALWAYS KNEW THAT YOU WERE A WORTHLESS MUGGLE-LOVING DISGRACE; YOU ARE NOT FIT TO HOLD THE NAME OF MY FATHERS. YOU BETTER FIX THIS – YOU MARK MY WORDS – OR YOU WILL NOT LIKE THE CONSEQUENSES!"

"Oh my god. That letter just threatened you and then burst into flames!" Ash exclaims, utterly dumbfounded.

"Yeah, well that's Howlers for you." I mutter brushing the ashes onto the floor, "Especially Howlers from my mother." I notion Rusty to my unfinished slice of toast, "You can eat it if you want," I say to him, "I'm not hungry anymore."

Then I leave. I know that this shouldn't upset me. I don't agree with my family. They're wrong in their beliefs. I don't think Hufflepuff is a disgraceful house. I don't think muggles and muggleborns are scum. Yet, her words still impact me. They burry into my soul. A child wants nothing more than to please their parent (or their guardian) and I've just been told that I've done the exact opposite.

As I reach the doors of the hall I hear my mother's voice – once again – bounce around the Great Hall. I guess Sirius is just as much of a "muggle-loving disgrace" as me.

I walk back to the Hufflepuff Common Room before our first lesson. Remembering about classes I glance at my timetable. I have Defence Against the Dark Arts with the Gryffindors first. This quickly takes my mind off my mother's angry voice. It's the lesson I've most been looking forward to do. The Dark Arts have never fascinated me in the same way as my family. I've always been curious about them – but not to perform them, unlike most of my family – but because they're intriguing. I've always been a very curious person but the Dark Arts – and specifically thwarting them – have always pulled my attention more than anything else.

Quickly, I go into my dorm and grab my bag, which I left here fully packed for the day, my mother's voice slowly fading into the back of my mind. Once I'm done I leave the room and head towards Defence Against the Dark Arts, after asking an older Hufflepuff for directions. I arrive at the classroom just before the bell goes and walk over to stand with Ash.

"Are you okay?" She whispers once I'm next to her.

"I'm fine. I just wanted to get some air." I say smiling reassuringly to her – just to prove that I'm fine, "Are you excited for the lesson?" I ask.

"Yes, but I have no idea what's going to happen." She says looking around the classroom.

"Trust me, it'll be great!" I say going silent after that as the teacher walks in.

"Hello class, I'm Professor Lawrence. Today you'll be starting Defence Against the Dark Arts. I've put you all in seats with your partners, who you'll work with during practical lessons."

He starts to list off the pairs and pointing to tables I only really pay attention to the groups with the people I know, "James Potter and Lily Evans." James' smile is incredibly obvious and Lily's eye rolls are equally obvious, I can already tell that James has a crush on her and that Lily is not very happy about it. "Sirius Black and Ash Lewis." I'm kinda sad that I'm not with one of my friends but quite honestly I'm glad that because of this my best friend and my twin can hopefully get to know one another.

I have to wait a while longer before my name finally gets called, "Lyra Black and Remus Lupin." I look around the room, as I head towards the desk, trying to figure out who Remus Lupin is. A shy-looking Gryffindor moves towards me. He has light brown hair and green eyes. I can tell that he's uncomfortable as he shifts under my gaze while he approaches and sits down next to me.

"Hi," I smile to him as he sits down.

He seems momentarily taken aback by my friendliness and gives a small smile back, "Hi."

The lesson begins and Professor Lawrence is just going over the basics of the class and his expectations. I'm not really paying him much attention. Instead I try and strike up a quiet conversation with the boy next to me, "So, what do you think of Hogwarts so far?" I whisper.

He, also, seems to only be paying half attention to the lecture so he gives a short, "It's great." In return. Obviously giving the hint for me to leave him alone.

"It's just magical, isn't it," I sigh, "I honestly could never have imagined it. It's just perfect. It feels so much like home already."

"I know what you mean." He says, his eyes never leaving the blabbering Professor.

"C'mon, Remus," I say giving a playful smile, "I know you can say more." I say rolling my eyes. Professor Lawrence gives me a harsh glare and I'm silent for a moment until he moves his gaze on, "Are you from a wizarding family?" I ask, wanting to give him something he'll talk about.

"Yes." He says, clearly annoyed at my interruptions, "But my mother is a muggle."

"Cool." I say, "Muggles have always interested me. My parents are really against me finding anything about them though. I used to sneak off and explore Muggle neighbourhoods and towns when I was younger." I leave out the bit about what happened when one time they caught me – I never snuck out again.

We don't speak much after that. I sort of got the message from his short replies that I'd never get to have a proper conversation with him. But, as I packed up my stuff, I made it my goal to be on good talking terms with him – no matter what. If my talking this lesson had annoyed him – he had another thing coming.

(1,171 Words)

Well, I promised you a Christmas chapter - and it's Christmas somewhere in the world! I'm putting this up just before I go to bed on Christmas Eve knowing full well that I probably won't have time to do it tomorrow. But I still want to wish every single one of my readers a safe and Merry Christmas. It's been a tough year and it's nice to have a moment of joy - but please don't let that cloud your vision and make this year's torment for nothing! I love you all so much and if you don't celebrate Christmas I hope you still have a good day! It seems like only yesterday and a millennia ago that I last woke up on Christmas morning but it just proves our resilience; we've made it through another year - on of the hardest years! And if that doesn't show just how capable of a race we are I don't know what does! We've seen the worst and best sides of people this year. It's been a rollercoaster - so let's end it at an exhilarating conclusion that makes everything worth it! Thank you for taking your time out to read this.

Please favourite, share your thoughts, ideas, feelings, Christmas plans/traditions and have an amazing day and week! 3