"Merry Christmas!" Bushy hair filled Harry's field of view as his best friend hugged him in one of her patented strong hugs. He returned it with the same intensity.

"Merry Christmas Mione." He said with a noticeable smile in his were quite a few people in the entrance hall of Grimmauld Place today. Behind the girl, her parents were just greeting Andromeda and Ted Tonks. Next to them stood Nymphedora, who had Bill Weasley's arm around her hip. It was a surprise that the red-haired man had been able to get away from Molly Weasley on the 26th, but it was somewhat comforting having at least one of the Weasleys there at this date. Harry greeting with Bill had been a little frosty and the boy knew there was a talk about Ginny on the horizon.

On the other side of the hall stood Sirius, together with Narcissa, McGonagall and Hagrid. The Lord of Black wore his pristine robes once more, not by his own doing. But Narcissa had insisted, with the Greengrass coming by later today, it was necessary. Said woman's face was a little pale, fighting with her emotions, missing her son so greatly. But Narcissa was a born Black and Black would never allow emotions to control themselves.

Minerva McGonagall had no problem showing her Christmas Spirit. Even though she was a stern and disciplined teacher, they all knew there was a softer core underneath all that. And that layer showed. She wore her normal green robes, but her head had an evergreen branch brim, that jiggled every time she nodded to something Sirius said. It looked almost comical but with since everybody knew the way she was, it wasn't.

Hagrid also looked like he did every day. His big coat had been placed on the back of a chair, drowning the piece of furniture entirely. He let off a bellowing laugh after some joke Sirius made, but Harry noticed the way the half-giant glanced in his direction. He knew that Hagrid was still worried about him. The big man just had a heart of gold.

"Thank you. How are you?" His best friend asked while she tickled Dawn's tummy as greeting.

Harry smiled softly. "Not bad. The last few days have been good. Sirius and I went flying quite a lot. It has been...fun."

Hermione kept her eyes on Dawn, who fluttered over onto her hand to be better pet. The girl then glanced over at her friend for a moment. "And your sessions with Mrs Tonks?"

Harry shrugged, looking over at the brown-haired born Black. "Okay, I guess. We talk a lot but mostly about others, not so much about myself. Most of the time it is about Dawn or Sirius...sometimes...it is not."

Hermione frowned. "It's okay, you don't have to tell me."

Harry ruffled his hair and Dawn returned to his shoulder. "No, it is fine. We...we talked about my aunt and uncle. No only their...not only because of their deaths but also about life with them."

Hermione put her hand on Harry's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I know that is not an easy topic for you."

The boy nodded, feeling strangely disconnected at the moment. "I don't know. With them dead, it feels weird to talk bad about them. Like it is disrespectful, something I never felt for myself when talking about them."

Hermione nodded. "I know what you mean. But dying doesn't make them saints."

Harry blinked. "Andy said the same. But still, it feels weird. For years they have made my life hell and yet here I feel bad for just talking in a bad way about them, because...well because they can't defend themselves. It is a strange feeling."

Hermione put her arm around Harry hugging him again. "I'm here for you Harry. You know that."

Harry's own arm came up to the small of her back hugging her back for a moment.

"Thanks, Mione. How is everything back at school?" He asked into her hair.

She stepped back and shrugged a little. "Mostly the same. Did you talk to Ron?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, why?"

Hermione shrugged again. "Don't know he was a little weird the last few days. Did your talk went well?"

"Yeah, we made up. Somewhat. We aren't friends again but I think we are on the way to get there again. He told me why he was the way he was and I think I understand better where he is coming from now. Even send him a Christmas present."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm glad to hear that. By the way, thanks for the book on Godric Gryffindors life."

Harry smirked a little. Hermione was someone you could get a Christmas present for quite easily. "Andy recommended it to me and I liked it, though you would too. Thank you for the new Quidditch goggles, mine were a bit worn. Dawn loves her new drinking dish too."

Hermione smiled, looking over at her parents for a moment. They were just talking with Professor McGonagall." "Glad she likes it. What did you send to Ron?"

"The art of War by Sun-Tzu." Harry answered with a short smile.

Hermione raised her eyebrow again. "Really? That is...an interesting choice."

Harry almost shrugged but having Dawn on his shoulder for almost half a year taught him not to do so." We talked about personal growth last time we spoke and _I thought that might help him in his journey."

Hermione smiled in return. "That's true. I hope he accepts the book."

Harry frowned. "Why wouldn't he?"

Hermione gave him a look like he was an idiot. "Maybe because you dumped his sister?"

Cheeks turning red, the black-haired boy rubbed his neck. "I wouldn't call it that way. After my attempt, I looked at my own life a lot and I saw that I didn't feel the way for her as she did for me and I thought it would be better to end it. Not lie to her. It wouldn' have been fair to her and also to myself to keep being with her while I didn't love her."

With a sigh, she nodded. "Guess you are right. That would have been unfair. Didn't change the fact, that Ginny cried her eyes out the last couple of days of school. She took it hard and you know no matter what he says, Ron loves his family and is protective of her. Like all his brother."

They both looked over at Bill Weasley, who was in what it appears to be a conversation with Ted Tonks. Unluckily at that moment, Bill looked over to them and excused himself, before moving across the hall in their direction.

Harry steeled himself for an unpleasant conversation.

"Harry, do you have a moment?" The man asked, with no indication of something wrong. Hermione nodded at him once, before heading towards her parents. Harry turned, waving Bill to follow him. Together they moved in the next sitting room, where he had to spend the last morning with Cissy and Sirius. The tree stood there, but the crumbled rests of gift wrapping had disappeared. Kreacher had been working hard to make Grimmauld Place representable for today.

Harry walked to the couch and then turned to lean his lower back against the backrest. Bill was tall, with a handsome face and broad shoulders. Thick arms and broad hands with welts on them. He looked every bit the curse breaker he was. His red hair was long and in a ponytail.

"Would you like something to drink?" The younger one asked, but Bill shook his head.

"No thanks." He walked two more steps. "I will not beat around the bush. That is not my style. The last three days, I listened to my sister cry herself to sleep, walk around the Burrow in a daze and looking more hollow than I have ever seen her before. And all I hear is it is because of you. Care to explain?" His eyes were hard and he crossed his arms in front of his broad chest.

Harry swallowed uncomfortably. "We broke up...well that is not true exactly, I broke up with her. I didn't want to hurt her but I realised that I don't like her the same way she liked me. It wouldn't have been fair to her."

Bill frowned hard. "And you think it was fair to her to just drop her? A few days after that horrid article?"

Harry flinched a little bit, shaking his head. "It's not like that. I didn't want her to suffer from the crazy attention that my life gets."

Bill unfolded his arms glaring at him. "And yet you told the press after you had your way with her? How does that fit into this huh?"

Harry flinched back and Dawn fluttered her wings. "I didn't tell anyone! Rita Skeeter spied on us!"

Bill laughed hoarsely. "Yeah, right. Like she could get into Hogwarts unseen! Don't bullshit me."

Harry got angry himself. Yeah, what he did wasn't super nice, but he did what he thought was best and now he had to get a dressing down by her brother. "Skeeter is an unregistered animagus okay?"

Bill snorted. "How very convenient for you."

The black-haired boy balled his hand into a fist. "What did you want me to do? Stay with her, even though I don't love her? Play an act? Is that it? Would that have pleased you?"

Bills eyes flared up and his voice raised a bit. "I don't want my sister to cry her eyes out anymore! I want her to be treated with respect and dignity! I want her-"

A loud pop interrupted the man who had stepped closer. The old house-elf Kreacher stood in between the two of them, glaring up at the taller man. "Is this man bothering you, heir Black?" The elf asked while raising his hand menacingly. It was obvious that he would defend his master and Harry was pretty sure he could. Bill seemed to know that too, as he took a step back.

Before Harry could answer, the door opened and Sirius strode in, followed Nymphadora Tonks. Lord Black took in the situation, with Kreacher standing in front of Harry in a defending pose and Bill retreating.

"What is going on here? I heard raised voices." He asked.

Harry sighed, letting his head hanging. "We were just talking. Bill asked about his sister, nothing else."

Sirius frowned and moved quickly to stand beside Harry's shoulder.

Bill nodded, folding his arms. "I simply wanted to know the reasons. I have the right to do so." He pushed his chin forward in a defiant manner.

Sirius tilted his head slightly. "That may it as it be, but you have no right to yell at my godson, not in my house, do you hear me?" His voice was hard and steel-like.

Bill stiffened, but before he said something, Tonks stepped forward, taking his arm. "He understands Uncle Sirius. Don't you William?" She gripped his arm a little harder and after a split second, the man nodded.

Nymphadora escorted him out of the room, and Kreacher left with a bow too. Sirius stepped closer, rubbing Harry's shoulder. "Are you okay Prongslet? I can ask him to leave if you want it." It was quiet, as Tonks had closed the door. Only the murmuring sound of people talking next door and the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner was heard. It was a moment of quiet and peace and Harry shook his head slowly, his mind drifting along.

"No, but thanks. He is worried about his sister. I can't blame him for that." He smiled at his godfather, who nodded slowly.

"Okay, but if he makes you uncomfortable, tell me okay?" His godson was too good in his heart, Sirius knew.

Harry smirked a little. "I don't think that will be a problem. Tonks seems to have him on a tight leash."

Sirius laughed and ruffled his hair with his free hand. "Yeah, Nymphie is a tough one. Wouldn't want to get on her bad side either."

Harry joined in in the laughter. "Maybe you should stop call her Nymphie then." He said with a tilted head.

Sirius laughter turned louder and he shook his head. "Where would be the fun in that?"

The door opened again and Narcissa stepped inside. "Everything all right in here?" She asked in a poised way.

Sirius nodded, his hand still on Harry's free shoulder. "We are good. Just talked for a moment."

The blond nodded holding the door open. "All right. Madam Bones and Madam Longbottom with their charges have arrived." She said, leaving out the clear second meaning. 'You need to come back'

Sirius nodded, looking over at Harry for a moment. "All right let's go."

By now almost all guest had arrived. Remus had come only a few minutes, shortly after Neville and his grandmother. The only people not there yet were Lord Greengrass and his daughters, but that was expected since they had a different outing today too. They would come by for the evening only. At the moment, Harry, Neville, Hermione and Susan had gotten away from the adults, sitting in a side room. The way Sirius had eyed them slipping away suggested that he wanted to join them, but he was the host. Narcissa would probably skin him alive if he tried to get out of his obligations. So Harry stuck out his tongue at his godfather, just before they had closed the door.

The four of them sat around a simple table, playing a little bit of exploding snap. None of them was a really great player, but still, it was nice to play some cards while talking. Harry looked at his cards, not sure what to play next. Eyeing the others, he finally decided on one.

Susan smirked, playing her own while talking. "Do I get it right, red-hairs outside couldn't keep it to himself about Ginny?"

Harry frowned. "Why do you think that way?"

Susan snorted, folding her hands after setting down the cards. Their two friends looked carefully between the two. "Oh come on Harry. The way your godfather is glaring at him? Hard to miss. Combined that with the way the girl looked the last few days, it isn't hard to put two and two together."

Harry felt a slight clench in his stomach but he nodded. "Yeah, Ginny and I split and Bill,...well he asked for the reasons."

Susan snorted again. "You are too nice sometimes you know that right?"

Harry shrugged. "Yeah. Maybe. But you have quite some deduction skills. Getting that from these few clues."

Susan's hand brushed through her short blue hair and she smirked. A slight blush was on her cheeks but the girl played it cool like she always did. "Well thank you. Please tell that to my aunt, when we go back out there. She still thinks I shouldn't consider joining the Aurors myself."

Neville set down a card. "Maybe she knows what the job entails and only thinks what is best for you."

Susan shook her head. "I know what the job means. Have seen auntie more often than not. But I think that it is more about my temper and my lack of being able to keep my mouth shut." She grinned, popping a biscuit from the table into her mouth.

Rubbing Dawn's tummy, who was lying very gracelessly in his lap, Harry tilted his head. "Well, Tonks, I mean their daughter, she is an Auror, well trainee and she doesn't seem like the person who could do that either."

Susan laughed, nodding. "Yeah, I met her while visiting auntie in her office. She is cool. In fact, she is the reason I coloured my hair. She said 'Be what you want to be instead of being what you are supposed to be.' Found it quite deep so yeah."

Hermione smiled and set another card. "And it is looking good on you, too."

Susan leaned back. "Thanks. I'm thinking about changing to green, only to mess with Auntie." And in that, she laughed. She played with one of her short blue strands while saying. All of them wore nice but simple clothing. Harry would have to change before the Greegrasses arrived.

Neville eyed the blue-haired girl. "Is that why you decided for blue?"

Susan shrugged a little, before shaking her head. "No, well not only. It is more like a safe rebellion thing, to be honest."

The three friends looked at her in confusion so she continued. "When I grew up with Aunt Amelia, there were a lot of rules. Not to say there wasn't fun, but she is a very public person and quite a few people are angry with her all the time."

Hermione frowned, placing her hand on Susan's knee. "that's horrible."

Susan shrugged again. "Maybe, it was always this way, at least as long as I can remember. Anyways, I understood, even young that the rules and safety measures were there for my own good. Auntie made sure I understood what they really meant and why it was needed. Not fun lessons, but needed, for my safety and so Auntie could sleep at night. Anyways, those rules made it hard to really rebel. At least not in ways like sneaking out of the house or something like that, so it was either coloured hair or smoking and I disliked the second one so...yeah."

The three others just watched her. Harry and Neville knew where she was coming from. Both of them grew up in houses with a strict person and knew what it meant to have a lot of rules, even though they were very different in nature and reasoning.

Hermione, on the other hand, came from a liberal home, with only a few rules, but then again she was a girl so she knew what an overprotective parent could be like, like her dad. To think that this was dialled up to eleven and she got a certain feeling for her position. But then again Hermione never had been a rulebreaker, to begin with.

Susan saw the gazes of her friends and decided she didn't want to be in the focus anymore. "So, Harry. You and Ginny are done?" She asked while playing a new card. The boy blinked and then nodded slowly.

"Yeah, we are done." His tone was solemn and heavy. He felt this was a significant topic, so a serious tone was needed, not like when Cho shot him down. Susan hummed, studying her cards. "That's good."

Harry frowned. "Good? Why would that be good?"

Susan looked over to Hermione, before folding her cards again setting them down and turning to Harry. "All right. Time for some honest truth I guess. That girl was horrible for you and you were horrible while you were with her."

Harry tilted his head in surprise almost dropping his own cards. "What?"

Susan nodded and the other two also did so. "I mean don't take me wrong she is a nice enough girl, but watching her following you like a lost puppy was bad to watch and worse, she didn't tell you no."

Harry's face burned a little thinking about their last evening. "We didn't I would never force myself, we..."

Susan waved him off. "Oh calm your pants, I didn't mean it that way, you dirty perv. No, you idiot. Harry, I know we hang out primarily since this summer, but come on, I know the way you are. You tend to get a little reckless. Don't you deny it, you know it is true. I mean who goes head first against three Death Eaters?"

Harry blushed a little. "That was because they tried to kidnap Daphne."

Hermione nodded. "And you did the right thing there. But come one, we have been through so much together, you know you tend to dive headfirst into danger. That is nothing to be ashamed of. Courage is a virtue."

Harry raised his hands in a defensive manner. "Fine. But what has this to do with Ginny?"

Susan nodded. "As I said, she is a nice girl. But she is also feisty herself. She is a risktaker and in the short time you two were together, you both got into a lot of trouble already. Because neither of you stopped the other."

Harry frowned. "You sound like I need a babysitter instead of a partner, if I date again, something I might add I don't feel like at the moment. Don't tell me what to do!"

Susan growled, dragging her hands through her hair. "No, urrrrgh. Men and understanding simple things. I know why I date girls. I don't want to tell you what to do, because that is none of my business, but you asked. No, what I meant, is that you find a real partner! Not some star-struck bimbo like Cho!"

Harry looked at them completely at a loss, while Neville turned quite red, focusing completely on the cars in his hand like he could find the treatment for Dragon Pox in it if he would just search hard enough. "Huh? A real partner?"

Hermione smiled, rubbing his shoulder. "Yes. A real partner. What would you rather have? Someone who follows your every word, doesn't think for her or himself and tries to please you or someone who is their own person and says to you when they think you are an idiot but you can rely on?"

Harry glanced between the two of them. "The second one, I guess."

Susan clapped her hands. "There you go. Sure, Ginny is headstrong, but she would never say no to you for real or kick your ass when you needed it to happen. That is why I meant she isn't right for you."

Harry looked into the distance, thinking about it. "Maybe you are right."

Susan laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Of course we are."

All four laughed and they returned to the cards for a moment. Then Harry raised his gaze again.

"Guys, I have something to ask you."

The three nodded.

"Well, while we are speaking about Ginny, she well...she was my date for the new-year ball and well. The champions are to open the dance and Professor McGonagall made it pretty clear to me that I need a date. So I wanted to ask, more in the hope that one of you two simply doesn't have a date yet, if you would go to the dance with me."

He quickly raised his hands. "As friends of course, as friends! I know this is on short notice, but yeah..." He trailed off, looking at the two girls who shared an uncomfortable look. Susan spoke first.

"Harry, look, I don't take this the wrong way, don't worry, but I have a date already. I go with my girlfriend and she will kill me if I go with someone else."

Harry gaped at her. "You have a girlfriend?" He sputtered, utterly surprised.

Susan reached out and patted his cheek with a smirk. "Yeah. Close your mouth it might fall off."

Neville was also looking surprised. "I had no idea." he said.

Susan smirked, folding her arms. "Well, we haven't promoted it. We agreed we would make it public at the dance."

The boys looked at each other, nodding. The black-haired boy was a little shellshocked. How much else did he miss, while he was swallowed by self-pity?

Harry turned his eyes to his best friend, who looked at him with something like guilt, but not really. Sadness more like it.

"Harry, look. I would love to go as your friend, you are my best friend but I have already promised someone else and it would not be-"

"You can go with him if you want to, Hermione." Neville cut in.

Looking back and forth between the two in surprise Harry spoke. "you two wanted to go together?"

"As friends too." The blond boy said.

Nibbling on her lip nervously Hermione frowned. "You sure Neville?"

But before the boy could answer, Harry cut in. "No! I wouldn't do that to you Neville. You two go together, I will find someone, Narcissa promised to help me."

"Are you sure?" Neville asked carefully and Harry nodded.

"Yeah, I will find someone." Even though he had no idea how.

They spend a little longer in the side room, but such heavy topics didn't rise again. Instead, they talked about Quidditch and school. Light and fun topics. This way the afternoon trickled away, from time to time one of the adults came in to check in on them but mainly they were there for themselves. They would stop playing exploding snap and turn to other activities. Finally, the sun was already setting on the outside, so it was around five in the evening, Kreacher popped in to inform his master, it was time for him to change into formal clothing.

Harry sighed nodding.

"Not a fan of formal attire?" The smirk in Neville's voice was quite noticeable.

Nodding, Harry stood up. "Yeah, don't like it very much. I prefer casual clothing." He placed Dawn on his shoulder and made his way up to his room. On the way, he waved at Sirius and the others. Dawn flew over to Narcissa, but when she saw him climb the stairs, she quickly returned to his shoulder. Leaving body contact was okay, but being in different rooms was to difficult for the little lady and to be honest for Harry too. His room was dark, yet warm. He turned on the lights and red and gold came to life. Dawn dove from his shoulder and landed on the bed. Her black head turned and she chirped at him. The boy shook his head with a little chuckle.

"No time for a nap now." Speaking quietly, he walked over to the bed and rubbed the spot on her back, where her wings were connected to the rest of her body. She closed her eyes and chirped quietly. Picking up the robes that were laid out for him, Harry started to redress.

It took him only a few minutes and he took a minute to cuddle the phoenix. Dawn was used to flying whenever she wanted, so being inside for two was something rare for her. The boy made sure she knew he loved her. He chuckled when she rolled around the bed like an overeager puppy, rubbing her head against the sheets. He laughed, shaking his head.

"You can't decide whether you are dignified or playful don't you?"

Dawn looked up to him, with a fold of his sheets half draped over her head. She cooed at him. Harry laughed more. With a pop, Kreacher came to his room.

"Heir Black." The elf said with a bow.

Harry stopped laughing, still a smile on his face and he turned to the servant. "Kreacher. Are the Greengrasses here already?"

The elf nodded. "You heir Black. Their former activity ended early." The elf eyed the phoenix still hopping around the sheets, pulling them. Harry gave him an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, she is a little energetic today." The young wizard said while moving and picking up the small bird.

Kreacher nodded once. "Of course, heir Black. Kreacher will clean that up. The guests are not to be made waiting." This was the most demanding the elf could be without being improper, as he shushed Harry from his own room. The young man moved down the stairs, talking to Dawn about her behaviour.

"You shouldn't do that. You know how he is, he will be making my bed right as we speak and that wouldn't be necessary."

Battering her wings, Dawn chirped back at him like she was talking to him. Mischief was the feeling he got from her. He was pretty sure she knew what she did. He still tickled her tummy, because he was just to damn cute to be stern with her.

He arrived on the bottom of the stairs, just as Sirius led the Greengrass family into the main room. Lord Greengrass looked as he always did, his thin blond hair combed back, the beard short and trimmed. His robes were in the same Grass green as his name suggested and a white horse, the coat of arms of house Greengrass was embroidered on both sides near the bottom. His eyes found Harry and they met in the middle of the room.

"Lord Peverell, Merry Christmas." the tall blue-eyed man said as he offered Harry his hand.

Smiling, Harry shook it. Lord Greengrass had a firm grip. "Merry Christmas Lord Greengrass, I hope you are well?"

The man nodded once. "Very well, thank you." He said, before he stepped aside. Behind him were his daughters. Astoria wore a pale grey dress with fur on the edges and her brown hair flowed over her thin shoulders. She looked as frail as she did every time Harry had met her. With big eyes, she stepped forward holding out her hand, as she had learned. Harry took it and placed a kiss on her knuckles.

"Miss Greengrass, welcome to Grimmauld Place and Merry Christmas." Harry said with a smile.

The girl blushed slightly, as she curtsied slightly. "Merry Christmas to you too, Lord Peverell. Thank you for having us."

Harry smiled didn't change as he nodded his head. "With pleasure Miss Greengrass." But she seemed to eye him somewhat strange. Not with dislike but like she wasn't happy with him. Harry frowned slightly as the girl moved to the side of her father. Shrugging on the inside, Harry turned to the last member of the Greengrass family.

Like her father, Daphne wore their name-giving grass-green. But unlike his robes, she wore a silk dress that hugged her figure quite well. Her blond hair was in a braid, like it was so often. Harry smiled as she held out her hand as well and he brushed his lips over her knuckles.

"Welcome Heiress Greengrass and Merry Christmas to you as well. I hope you are having a pleasant holidays so far?"

The girl nodded, while her hand glided down the thick braid that was lying over her shoulder. "Merry Christmas to you as well Lord Peverell. Thank you my holidays were exactly as I expected."

Then her cold dark green eyes took in everything about Harry. She assessed him every time they saw each other. She then nodded a bit. "You look better than the last time we met."

A small blush appeared on his cheeks as he nodded. "I had a lot of help in the last few days. Being here helps a lot too. Being home, with Sirius."

Her eyes moved over him a second time as if she wanted to verify that statement and she nodded.

"I am pleased to hear that, Lord Peverell."

Then her cold facade broke a little as she turned her eyes with a smile to Harry's shoulder and held out her thin well-manicured hand. On cue Dawn fluttered over, landing on the pale index finger.

Reaching up with her free hand, Daphne stoked over the plumage on Dawn's chest. "Hello to you too Dawn." Bathing in the attention she got, Dawn tilted her head back in the clear demand to be tickled under her beak. Daphne complied with a small and careful smile. The phoenix appreciated a little longer her petting before she bats her wings and landed on Daphne's shoulder, rubbing her head against hers for a moment. Harry chuckled.

"It appears I have been replaced. Since I would like to spend the evening with Dawn, would you and your sister accompany myself in the sitting room? Heiress Bones, Miss Granger and Heir Longbottom are there as we speak." He offered her his arm.

A thin pale hand glided into the crook of his elbow as she nodded. "Of Lord Peverell. Lead the way."

This chapter took me quite some time to write. I think the mood isn't with me at the moment. As some point, I could really write it all down and other times there are paragraphs that take hours.

There is only a little bit to talk about.

Bill. Yes, he is kind of an ass but also I think it is fair. As the oldest brother, he is protective and with the entire news article about Ginny, I think he is okay to be an ass. I shortly thought about him escalating it, but I wasn't sure. What do you think, would something like that escalate?

Also, Hermione going to the ball with Neville. I thought about the two datings, but I see them more like the people who would go as friends, because, well because I think that is the right thing. Maybe it will turn to more but I am not sure.

Susans girlfriend will be revealed at the dance but just a short thing, I gave hints already before in this story, who it is. Maybe someone can figure it out beforehand.

Finally, I think about writing the duel between Ulrich and Warrington, which would be a flashback. Would you like to read that or don't you like flashbacks?

Next up: Some unexpected presents (and the last Christmas chapter.)