Christmas Holidays

It had been weeks since he had seen his wife and stepchildren and Severus Snape was ready to hold them in his arms again. He had one more group of students to get to the train and a quick meeting with Dumbledore before he got to take the Floo in the Headmaster's Office home.

Lily was going to her next appointment tomorrow and they would find out the gender of their baby. He didn't have a preference. They just wanted a healthy child.

Severus was hoping to spend more quality time with Harry. The past few months, since the article in The Daily Prophet, his stepson had been more wary around him. He had decided that he would tell Harry everything. He would tell about his mother and father. He would tell him about the first day he met Lily Evans. Then he would tell him about being so blinded by jealousy and loneliness that he decided to follow the Dark Lord. And he would tell him about finally realizing that loving Lily, no matter that she was married and loved another, that loving her and keeping her and her family safe was more important than anything.

"Enjoy your Yule Professor Snape!" The last group was waving from the train as they departed Hogsmeade Station. He waved back and smirked as he apparated to the front gates of Hogwarts. He waved as he approached the gate where Professor Flitwick was waiting to allow him entrance.

"Sev, have a great holiday. Give Lily my love. Send us an Owl when you find out the sex of the baby. We've got a pool going." With a wink and a handshake, they departed. Severus made his way to the West Tower.

"Fizzing Whizbee." With the password recited, the gargoyle opened the stairway to Dumbledore's office. He knocked and heard the great wizard call out for him to enter.

"Ahh, Severus. All of the children on the train home?" Severus nodded. "Fantastic! Have a seat!" He gestured to the chair in front of him. "I take it Young Mr. Weasley and Miss Price have everything set for the remaining students staying at Hogwarts?"

Snaps nodded, "Yes sir. Twenty three students staying. The Head Boy and Head Girl are a fantastic team. I have nothing but confidence in them. Professors Flitwick, McGonagle, and Sprout will be around if they need anything." Billy Weasley and Gemma Price were, in fact, a great team. They complimented each other nicely and the students respected them.

"Sounds great! Give my love to Lily and the children. I will see you in the New Year, Severus." With a handshake, Severus grabbed a handful of Floo powder and called out their home address.

"Mmm, Frankie. Yes." Narcissa woke to her secret boyfriend with his head between her legs. Thank Merlin for silencing charms because the wizard was very talented with his tongue. Currently he was working his magic in the early morning hours. He had volunteered to stay with them the next two weeks, allowing Auror Garrett to visit his family for the holidays.

"I could live between your thighs. Taste like heaven." He smiled as her panting became heavier and her fingers grasped his hair, bringing him closer. He sucked on her clit and slid two thick digits inside her slick pussy.

"Fuck!" She came with a scream and he licked his fingers clean. "Get up here now!"

"Yes ma'am. You're in control." Frank smirked as he settled himself, cock ready to thrust into her soaked pussy.

"I need you inside of me, Frankie. Oh gods!" He thrust, full to the hilt in one quick move. "Wait!" She grabbed her wand quickly and cast the contraceptive spell. They'd had a scare a few weeks ago when she'd been late. Luckily it turned out to be caused by stress.

They collapsed together in a sweaty heap on her bed. Carina's nightmares were not as often an occurrence so she finally was sleeping in her own room down the hall next to her brother Draco's. Frank kissed her slowly then nuzzled against her neck. "Cissa," she hmm'd, "I love you." Her eyes widened at his confession. "After this madness is over, I would like to properly court you."

Narcissa smiled, her eyes softened. "Frank," she kissed him gently, "I love you too." They both smiled as Frank turned them, pulling Narcissa's back to his chest. "I want to make breakfast today." She heard him chuckling and elbowed him. "Hush you. I'm getting better. Draco actually complimented my eggs yesterday."

They made their way down to the kitchen. Draco was in the living room writing to Harry. "Morning mum. Frank. Carina is out in the garden." Draco looked back down at his parchment and started writing again.

Frank went outside to check on Carina as Narcissa began the fry up she had been perfecting over the last few weekends. The smell of back bacon and sausage wafted out the windows. Frank smiled as he saw Carina in the garden picking up the scent. Her head turned and she squealed with delight. "Frank!"

He put his arms out and she ran into them. He lifted her up on his shoulders and walked her back to the front porch before lifting her up and placing her back in the ground. "Auror Garrett says when he comes back after Yule, he is going to bring me a surprise. I hope it's a new baby doll and carriage."

"Maybe Father Christmas will bring you something great like that." He hugged her to his side then met her eyes. "You miss him huh?"

Carina nodded, "Yes. He's my best friend." She answered nonchalantly, as if it weren't the most precious thing to hear from a three year old.

Frank pet her hair lovingly. "Come now. Your mummy is cooking brekkie. Smells good, yeah?"

Sirius had just rolled onto his side to find a smiling Aurora sitting up in bed next to him. "Well good morning my sweet Rory girl. Where's mummy?" She babbled then clapped her hands as her father scooted her closer. He snuggled against his daughter and she grabbed onto his hair. "Alright, alright. Poppa's up."

They made their way downstairs where Remus and Alice were chatting and enjoying a cuppa. "Good morning you two. Finished your lie in? Remus was just about to make us some of that delicious French toast of his." Alice chirped as her husband bent down to give her a kiss.

"Any news from Frank?" Sirius asked as he settled their daughter into her highchair.

"Yes, he is staying with them until after Yule. Augusta is bringing Neville over this afternoon. He's excited to see his sissy, yes he is!" After finishing up breakfast, Alice headed to work. She had a meeting with Robards to discuss the leads and tips they had received in regards to the Malfoy case. With a kiss to her baby's cheeks and one lingering kiss to Sirius's mouth, she left through the Floo.

"Sirius? Can I talk to you?" Remus looked sullen and withdrawn.

"Of course, Mooney. Always." The two men brought Aurora into the drawing room and set her up with her toys.

"I was visiting with Ted and Dromeda yesterday. We were discussing the Wolfsbane potion that she has been brewing for me since Lucius was murdered. He was my former supplier, ya know."

Sirius nodded, "Yeah, and what is it? Do you need more supplies? You know your best friend here is filthy rich right?" Remus shook his head.

"Yeah, I know. It's not that. I was sitting there and then a smell hit me. It was like nothing I had ever scented before. I got up and followed the scent and it brought me upstairs to the bedrooms." Remus looked guilty and ashamed. "It was little Tonks, um, Nymphadora that is. She was sifting through her trunk. I stopped in her doorway and the scent was even stronger."

"Mooney? Are you sure? You're absolutely sure?" Sirius took his friends hand and squeezed.

"I'm positive. It's her. She just turned sixteen. She is the one I have been searching for." Remus closed his eyes and remembered what happened next.

Tonks turned to see Remus Lupin in her doorway watching her. He looked to be in pain. "Hey you! You okay?" He looked as if he were scared of her, but that would be silly. He was a werewolf for crying out load. Tonks stood up and walked closer. "Lupin? You good? Did something happen?"

He couldn't stop himself, he stepped closer. Consumed by her scent and bright lovely eyes. "Nymphadora. Tonks. You, you are, oh Merlin." He hugged her to his chest and took in her incredible scent of honeysuckle and raspberry. His chest purred and she let him hold her. She practically melted into him. "My mate. I have you. I have finally found you."

"This is ridiculous!" I have searched every directory and it's like he doesn't even exist." Hermione Granger was on a mission. Ever since meeting Draco Malfoy, she cannot stop thinking about him. She'd turned nine in September and started searching for him on weekend trips to the library. They had directories for every county in the UK.

"Sweetheart, maybe you got the name wrong." Her father tried to placate her. He only chuckled when she gave him a look of such exasperation and contempt.

"It is not a very common name dad." Sometimes she would have dreams of the tall, lanky pale pointed faced boy that stole her heart all those months ago. He was the first person to ever find her fascinating. She didn't believe in crazy ideas such as love at first sight or soulmates. Did she?

"Listen. I will check with some friends of mine. But this is the last time I am spending my day off searching for some boy. You understand?" Hermione sighed at her father's declaration. She really had no other option. She felt the tingling feeling in the tips of her fingers, it happened when she was upset. She took some calming breaths and followed her father out to the family car. With one last wistful glance at The British Library, they got in and drove back home to the suburbs.

"Mrs. Snape? The Healer will see you now." Lily took Severus by the hand and they entered the small office. After taking her vitals, she lay down on the table and waited for the Healer. Harry and Violet were at The Burrow waiting impatiently with everyone else for the news of the Snape's little peanut.

"I don't think I have ever been more excited in my life." Severus said with a shaky smile. This was happening. They were have a baby!

"Not even our wedding day?" Asked Lily with a sly smile playing on her face. He nudge her playfully. "I'm excited too."

The door opened and the Healer came in. After a diagnostic charm, she went over everything in the file. "And now the moment you have been anticipating." With a complicated wand motion and incantation, the baby popped up in a projected vision. "Look at that, their waving at you. Here is the spine and over here the heartbeat can be seen. Let's flip the projection to get a closer look. Ah, there it is. See right there? Congratulations! It's a little boy!"

"Harry is going to be so happy! Vy? Not so much." Severus chuckled.

"Eh, there's always next time." She chided him and brought an even larger smile to his face. "Thank you so much."

"Any time. We will see you in six weeks, so February 2nd. See ya next year." They all had a little laugh and Lily took ahold of her husband's hand again as they left St. Mungo's, finding the apparition point and piping back to The Burrow.

As soon as the apparated in, they were surrounded. "Well?" Molly squealed.

"It's a boy!" Lily and Severus shouted at the same time. The boys were cheering and Violet was heard whining 'No!' but soon after Molly brought out cake to celebrate.

Harry hugged his stepfather and thanked him. "What for?" He asked the boy. He was growing fast.

"For saving us. For loving my mother. For loving us. For giving us another father."

"Gawain! Get in here!" Alice called out to her new partner. He rushed in the command center where Scrimgeour, Shacklebolt, Dawlish, Hanson, Freund, and Alice Black were waiting.

"We have just received intel that Antonin Dolohov and Thorfin Rowle have been hiding in a cottage owned by Rowle's family on the outskirts of Mould on the Wold. We send Dawlish and Shacklebolt to check. Gentlemen?" Head Auror Scrimgeour gave the young Aurors the floor.

"We located the cottage. There are mediocre wards setup. Mainly Muggle deterrents. Easily broken if we have our superstar Black here." Alice nodded in agreement.

"I can do it. Freund and Hanson take the rear of the property. I will setup Anti-Apparating wards around the property. John? Kings? You take either side of the cottage. Gawain and I can handle the lead in. Are we in agreement?" The men nodded. "Let's get these bastards!"

An Owl arrived at Grimmauld Place for Sirius from Alice:

Won't be home. Following a lead. Will be in touch when I can. Give Rory and Nev my love! I love you!

Sirius showed Remus and they continued their talk. "So, what happens now?" Sirius asks Remus. "She's sixteen. Has a couple years left until she leaves school. Did you discuss this with the Ted and Dromeda?" Remus only shook his head.

"Now nothing. She is so young. So innocent and beautiful. She cannot be with someone like me. I am poor. Pitiful. Nothing." He put himself down some more until Sirius finally punched him in his arm. "What the fu- Padfoot! You almost made me cuss in front of my goddaughter you gobshite."

"And I didn't ask for your little pity party for one either. What did Dora say?"

Remus sighed, "She says she felt the connection too. That ever since she could remember, she had always been aware of me and where I was. She has always been drawn to me but just chucked it up to a crush." He got up and looked out the window pensively. "I already know that I love her. I just cannot bring myself around to telling her parents. I'll have to tell them how the whole mate thing works. Thirteen years, Padfoot. She is bloody thirteen years younger than me."

"Aye, but to know you have an unshakable connection with another person, to feel that kind of love, it's what I had always hoped for you."

"I'll tell them on Boxing Day. That's the day we break bad news in this family right?" Sirius clobbered him then.

BOOM! The house shook and everyone jumped thinking they were under attack. "What the bloody Hell was that?"

"Ronald Weasley! Language!" Molly yelled at her youngest son.

"There's smoke coming from the a Lovegood's house!" George and Fred announced as they came running in from outside.

"Charlie stay here with Aunt Lily and the kids. You still can't use magic outside of school. Bill come with us!" Molly, Bill, and Severus quickly disapparated to the Lovegood's.

Lily held her children close. Charlie kept his siblings entertained with stories about his upcoming trip to Romania to intern for the summer.

"Mum? Do you think Luna is okay?" Harry sniffled as his sister asked the question he was too frightened to ask.

"We can only hope sweetheart." Harry felt his mother hold them tighter. "I know. Why don't we think of a name for your baby brother?" Both kids smiled at that.

They had just decided on two names to tel Severus when they got back when Molly came barrelling in the door. Bill was carrying an unconscious Luna and Severus was still gone.

"Luna! Mum! Is she dead?" Harry felt as if he was going to get sick. His Luna. She looked so tiny in Bill's arms.

"She's unconscious but breathing. Oh Lily!" Molly hugged her friend. "Pandora, she's, oh Merlin! Pandora is dead. An potion she was working on became too volatile and exploded. Luna was on the other side of the room and was thrown. Xenophyllius was in the garden and uninjured. He's distraught. I told him we would watch over Luna until he was able to come get her. The poor dear."

"Mum, I laid her in Ginny's bed. Can you grab the Wingelweld and some Calming Draught while I get some wet flannels to gently wash around the small gash on her head?" Molly quickly popped up to get everything.

"I need to see her, mum. Mummy please?" Harry begged. Lily took his hand and led him up to Ginny's room. Violet stayed with Ginny as the cried together over their hurt best friend.

The door opened and Harry saw Luna beginning to wake. He rushed over and jumped on top of the bed. "Harry James Potter, have some sense boy. She is still sore." He ignored Molly instead he knelt next to Luna and took her hand. He heard her mumbling something.

"Mummy? Mummy, no!" Lily took her other hand as Bill carefully cleansed her head wound then whispered a healing spell to stitch the gas closed.

Harry rubbed slow, calming circles on the back of Luna's hand. The young girl came to a short time later. She drank the potions Molly gave her and thanked Bill for helping her. "My mummy is gone, isn't she?"

"Yes, sweetheart. She's gone." Luna turned to meet Harry's stare and smiled softly. "I dreamt you were here to protect me." He curled into her side and he began to cry. "We'll go through worse Harry but it will always be worth it. Loving each other is always worth it."

Molly and Lily watch the little witch and wizard ad the fell asleep holding onto each other's hands. "I've never seen such pure love between children." Molly whispered to which Lily smiled as she thought about the words the young seer had said.

"We'll go through worse Harry but it will always be worth it. Loving each other is always worth it.

"Avada-"

"Stupefy!"

"Do you see Dolohov?!"

"Depulso! Incarcerous!" Rowle goes down.

"CRUCIO!"

The scream that rang out instantly froze Gawain's blood. "Alice!" He ran in the direction of the screams. He found Dolohov straddling her and performing the Cruciatus Curse on her. Gawain hit him with a Stupefy! "Patrificus Totalus! Incarcerous!" He rushed over to Alice. "Renervate." She was twitching from the after effects of the spell but she was lucid. "Hey, partner. I got you." He picked her up and waited for the others to come. He saw the frozen tied up dark wizard and kicked his wand far away. "We got you, you son of a bitch! We fucking got you!"

"Robards! You okay?" Kingsley and John came running into the bedroom they were in. "Fuck, is Black okay?"

"I'm f-fine. J-just a l-little sh-shaky." Alice need a Healer. She could feel it. He had hit her with a curse she'd never heard of before Crucio-ing her. "Mungo's. He, he hit me with s-something I never heard of. Can f-feel it inside me. Can feel." And then everything went black.

A/N: It's finally over...for now. When we come back, Alice needs saving. Pandora is laid to rest. The Malfoy's can finally go back home. Remus talks the Tonks. Draco figures something out. Carina has her first bout of magic!