Hermione was woken by a very loud squeal on Christmas morning.

The young witch rolled over and threw an arm over Bellatrix, kissing her shoulder.

"And so chaos begins," Bellatrix mumbled.

The mothers proceeded to drag themselves out of the bed. They were just standing up when a disheveled child in pajamas, curls sticking up every which way, ran up to them holding a tiny orange ball of fluff. Kissara held out her cupped hands to show them a tiny kitten, eyes still closed and reaching out for the world with minuscule paws.

What on earth?

'Where did you get that?' Asked Hermione.

Kissara pointed outside the room, jumping from one foot to another. Hermione took a step to take another look at the ball of fluff but couldn't as the little girl dashed away back down the stairs.

Hermione looked back at Bellatrix.

The woman's eyes were wide. "What was that?" She hissed.

"I don't know."

Hermione quickly followed Kissara down the stairs and into the living room. The whole lower floor was decorated with twinkling lights, evergreen branches, and red and gold bows. A large glowing tree stood proudly by the window. Under it were the presents Hermione and Bellatrix had wrapped; as well as a large grey ball of fluff surrounded by three small orange balls and two small grey balls.

As they crossed the threshold of the living room a large orange blur jumped onto the back of the couch. Familiar brown eyes set in a flat face stared at Hermione.

"Crookshanks!"

A huge grin settled on her face at the sight of her kneazle-cat. She had not seen him since their escape from civilization during the war. She slowly reached out for her old friend. Crookshanks immediately came up and bumped his head into her hand.

"Oh," Hermione let out as tears filled her eyes. She mashed her face against Crookshanks' face and pet the sides of his head, occasionally grabbing onto his fluffy fur.

Crookshanks tolerated this affection for longer than he would have since she had seen him last. But his kitty tolerance did eventually run out. He pulled away and glanced back at the tree. Hermione's gaze focused more thoroughly on the sight. A gray kneazle was lying on the tree skirt with kittens glued to her side, sleeping. There were two gray kneazle kittens and three orange ones. No four orange kittens, Kissara was still holding one. It was snuggled up in her hand sleeping peacefully. Her other hand was petting momma-kneazle's fur.

"You brought a family home. Where have you been?"

Crookshanks simply meowed in reply and jumped back down to go cuddle with his girlfriend.

Hermione turned around; Bellatrix was leaning on the doorframe. Hermione patted her shoulder as she walked by.

"I'll be right back. I still have some of Crookshanks' stuff downstairs."

When Hermione was out of earshot, Bellatrix mumbled. "I guess we have kneazles now."

The witch heard a huff from across the room. She looked up to see both Crookshanks and his companion staring at her. It looked like they would have to get used to each other.

Three hours later there was wrapping paper all over the place, and a happy girl was switching between playing with her new toys and with Crookshanks. Crookshanks was mostly interested in playing with the wrapping paper. The kittens, still too young to do much of anything, were safely resting inside one of Crookshanks' old beds, transfigured to have higher sides to prevent escapes.

Hermione was cuddled up to Bellatrix's side, watching the scene with joy in her eyes and a cup of tea in her hands. And, despite initial trepidation on Bellatrix's part, momma-kneazle, Ash, was lying on the older witch's lap, taking a break while the kittens slept.

Hermione's eyes drifted to Bellatrix's next. She had bought her a silver dragon pendant. Hermione had thought it would suit her, and it did, but right now it was only serving to draw Hermione's eyes to her cleavage. Hermione found herself wishing for a little bit of alone time with the woman. But there wouldn't be much time. They were hosting.

Narcissa had offered to host. It would definitely be less cramped at Malfoy Manor. But she didn't quite think her parents would be ready for a magical manor quite yet. So instead, all the Blacks and all the Grangers were celebrating Christmas in her modest home. No Weasleys though, not this year… It would be strange not to go to the Burrow.

"Should we get cooking?"

Brown eyes looked up to meet black. "I was thinking of using magic. Christmas dinner is a lot of prep."

"Gasp! Hermione Granger using magic to cook?" About time. Bellatrix shook her head.

Hermione frowned, but before she could ask anything, Bellatrix caught her mouth in a kiss. "It's ok." The older woman whispered.

Hermione greedily pulled her in for another kiss.

Ash let out an unhappy meow and leaped off the couch as she was squished between the two women.

The women broke away. Bellatrix laughed softly and Hermione gave her a smile.

Hermione looked away from beautiful dark eyes and spotted Kissara watching them.

'Let's clean up the paper. Then it's time for gingerbread pancakes!'

Kissara broke into a smile. The little girl jumped up and threw herself onto her mothers. Cuddles were had until Hermione reminded her family that they needed to clean. No magic for this. She felt it helped Kissara learn responsibility. Hermione did use magic for cleaning normally, but she had other responsibilities, so she did not hesitate to cheat on her chores. Bellatrix had been grateful for that as well, there had definitely been some pushback when Hermione had first given her some chores.

Kissara hopped off the couch and started dragging the kittens' bed to the kitchen. Hermione tapped her on the shoulder.

'Let the babies sleep.'

'I want to watch them.'

Just then, both Crookshanks and Ash strolled past them and into the kitchen.

That prompted Hermione to sign 'OK', despite her better judgment.

Kissara finished dragging the bed over before her mother changed her mind.

Ash crawled into the bed when it finished moving. The kittens had started meowling for milk and greedily latched on to their mother. Trying to do so even before Ash had laid down, which made it difficult for momma-kneazle to settle without lying on a kitten. Kissara gave them all little pats as she waited for her mommy to finish the pancakes.

Hermione decided to prep breakfast with magic too. They had lingered a little long and she wanted to get started on supper as soon as possible. She stomped on the floor to get Kissara's attention and showed her her full plate as she set it on the table. Kissara gave her a smile, gave one last kiss to an orange ball of fluff, and went to sit in her spot. The little girl immediately dug in. Bellatrix gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek as she took both their plates to the table, leaving Hermione to cast a couple spells to make the dishes clean themselves before joining them.

'The kneazles will not like the guests.' Bellatrix signed before taking another bite of her pancakes.

'They won't like our family?' Kissara asked.

'No. I meant kneazles don't usually like a lot of people around their babies. They want to keep them safe and keep them in the quiet.'

'No one is going to hurt them!' Kissara almost stood in her chair before her mommy pulled her back down.

'Not on purpose. But what if someone trips? Accidents happen. I think your momma is right.' Hermione added.

Kissara nodded as she finished sitting back down.

'Why don't you think of a spot? One where it'll be quiet, but where we can also look in on them.'

Kiki slumped forward and looked back at the ceiling, legs swinging. She then perked up and raised her hand in the air before signing; 'The laundry room!'

'I think that is a good idea.'

Kissara beamed back at her.

With breakfast finished, Hermione started preparing supper, giving Bellatrix the task of taming Kissara's curls, and then dressing her. Hermione suspected she would need to finish the job but at least they were out of her hair. Hermione was only planning on dressing herself when she wasn't in danger of getting food, hair products, or other surprises splattered on her.

Narcissa arrived much earlier than planned. Hermione had at first started to frantically clean up the current mess, thinking to herself she needed to get dressed, she was still in her pajamas. She still felt quite intimidated by the woman. Not threatened, not anymore. But Narcissa was always so well put together it was easy to feel incompetent around her. Narcissa put a hand on her arm to still her.

"Thank you for having me over." Hermione turned to see Narcissa giving her an amused smirk. "I'm sorry for catching you off guard. I was excited to see my family. Do you need any help?"

Just then a 'thump' resounded from upstairs. Little footsteps ran from one end of the house to the other, giggling bouncing off the walls.

"Get back here!" Bellatrix yelled.

"She knows that won't bring Kiki back, right?"

Hermione shrugged. "It's cathartic. Mind going to check it out?"

"Of course."

They were all clean and dressed by the time the rest of the visitors arrived. They had hidden the kittens but they brought every arriving to meet them after their greeting hugs. It was impossible to avoid the topic as Crookshanks, infamously MIA since Bill and Fleur's wedding, was scrutinizing everyone as they came through the door.

The Grangers arrived first, then Draco, Astoria, and Andromeda. Tonks arrived much later, carrying a disheveled Teddy. The boy immediately ran off with his younger cousin.

Tonks turned to her with bags under her eyes and a shake of her head. Hermine gave a tight hug.

"He didn't sleep a wink last night."

Hermione made a face in sympathy. She knew what that was like. "Hopefully Kiki will tire him out for you."

With the last of the invitees inside, and everyone having said hello to the kittens, the group settled in the living room. The adult had some wine, and the kids got some sparkling juice in enchanted wine glasses. Well, okay, even the adults got enchanted wine glasses. It seemed the safer thing to do. Unspillable and unbreakable. Gifts were passed around and chatter stayed light as everyone enjoyed spoiling the kids and catching up.

"The kids have been quiet." Said Tonks as she grabbed Hermione's arm.

Hermione mind quickly ran over several possibilities. "I have an idea."

She led her friend to the back of the house and into the laundry room.

They entered just in time to see Teddy pick up one of the orange fluffs, bring it up to his face, and rub their noses together. The kitten mewed and waved its little paws in the air, looking for its mom. Teddy returned the baby to momma-kneazle in the bed. Ash's eyes were moving from her kittens to Teddy, to Kissara and the fluff in her hand. Crookshanks was lying on the chest freezer, watching the whole thing from above.

Tonks and Hermione watched for a bit, but since it was clear everything was okay, they eventually returned to the rest of the group. Hermione smiled to herself, she was so pleased. The kids were so good with the kneazles, and the adults were being so patient with them.

The friends returned to the table, where everyone was digesting supper to prepare for dessert. The family was chatting about the Granger's return and their surprise retirement. Just as the conversation turned to Draco's apothecary, there was scratching at the window. A small brown speckled owl hopped from foot to foot as it waited to be let in. Hermione would have gotten up, but she felt her legs go numb as she recognized Ginny's owl. Narcissa was first to the window.

"Hello friend," she cooed as it hopped onto her arm. She brought it in, took the paper from its paw, which she floated to Hermione, and then went in search of treats for the feathered friend.

Hermione plucked the little roll of paper out of the air. It was sealed with a smiling firetruck sticker. She peeled it up. The blood was pumping loudly in her ears. Her eyes darted up to look at the group, everyone was watching her. She blushed and returned her attention to the letter. Better get it over with. She brushed her thumb on the sticker.

The paper was snatched away.

"Sorry dear, but you are taking too long."

Andromeda unfurled the note and read it quietly to herself.

"Oh, that's good." Andy said, "The Grangers – and Bellatrix – are invited to spend New Year's Eve at the Burrow."

Andromeda threw the paper back to Hermione. Hermione extended her hand but only tapped it, the paper bounced a few times between her hands before falling to the ground. It was okay, she believed Andy. Her eyes were already tearing as she tried to suppress her smile.

Arms wrapped around her and lifted her briefly off the ground. Bellatrix kissed her cheek and slid the invitation back into her hand.

Relief swept through the room and the festive atmosphere returned. Maybe it was even a little lighter than before.

Not long after dessert, Catherine pulled her daughter aside.

"I know it's been a long day, but could you join your father and me for tea tonight?"

"Why?"

"We just want some more time with our girl."

"We are spending tomorrow with you."

"Yes, but – I want to spend some time alone with my daughter for Christmas. It's been years since it was just the 3 of us." Catherine said as she threaded her fingers through her daughter's curls and gave her a sad pouty face. Hermione's hair was nowhere near as unruly as it had been when she was a little girl. Catherine suspected it was because she took better care of it than Catherine ever could. Catherine didn't have such curly hair and had struggled to learn to care for her daughter's. You couldn't just look it up on the internet at the time.

"Ok, mom. But not too late."

"You can sleep in tomorrow."

"No, I can't. I've got a 5-year-old."

"Pfft, make Bellatrix get up with her."

Hermione giggled.

Bellatrix carried a sleeping Kissara up the stairs. It was late and the day's activities had worn her out. And, to Tonks' great delight, she had also been able to carry a sleeping child home. Bellatrix got the girl changed into pj's and tucked her under the covers. She gave the girl a kiss on the forehead before returning downstairs.

She was tired and could go to bed, but she wanted to wait for Hermione to get home. Bellatrix wanted cuddles. She grabbed a book from the library and went to the living room. The kittens were back under the tree. Crookshanks was by the door, waiting for Hermione to return.

Tucking her leg under her, Bellatrix opened her book. To her great surprise Ash jumped up and settled so close to her she was practically on her hip. She brushed her fingers through the soft fur. Her eyes flitted to her book but failed to get any purchase on the words. Bellatrix looked at the twinkling lights of the tree, her vision narrowed and soon all she could see was the twinkling lights of the tree.

A sensation crept over her. Her chest tightened and a laugh burst out of her. Then she couldn't stop laughing. Her laughter morphed into the cackling she had been so infamous for during her time with the Death Eaters.

How the fuck had her life led to this?

It was absurd.

She had thrown all her prospects out the window, yet she managed to win the lottery without buying a ticket.

Bellatrix's dazed reverie was interrupted by a shrill sound reverberating throughout the house.

The wards!

Bellatrix leapt up. Ash was thrown to the floor. The kneazle ran over to her babies and settled over them. The witch didn't pay them any mind as she raced upstairs to Kissara's bedroom, hoping to scoop her up and get her away from the danger.

She threw the bedroom door open. She'd taken a few steps inside before she registered what she was seeing. Sheepish green eyes watched her. Kissara had her arms around a massive cat-like creature. The cat, enormous and impressive, radiated an eery quality. No claws or teeth could be seen, and its long thick tail curled all the way around the twin bed. Bellatrix stared into its yellow eyes, she felt paralyzed even though she knew she should be reaching for her wand. This was a tailypo. A carnivorous cryptid native to North America. Not known for being cordial, let alone friendly.

Kissara was the first to move. She let go of the creature and lay back down on her side, facing her momma.

'Sorry,' she signed. 'I know, bedtime.'

The girl snuggled into her blankets. The tailypo stood and circled on itself a few times. It paused as it noticed the window was still open. It nudged the window closed with its snout then circled once more before lying next to Kissara, wrapping its tail around the girl. The tailypo nuzzled and headbutted the girl's head a couple of times. Kissara giggled.

The tailypo rested its head on Kissara's shoulder and looked at Bellatrix with unnervingly innocent eyes. Kissara did not seem to understand the gravity of the situation. The girl was studying her mom as if trying to understand her perceived strange behavior.

"Crookshanks?" Bellatrix managed no more than a whisper and was relieved when the half-kneazle appeared behind her.

Crookshanks walked into the room, shot her a glance, and looked towards the bed. The kneazle jumped when it spotted the intruder. He crouched and stalked towards them. The kneazle hopped up on the bed. The tailypo showed no signs of aggression. Crookshanks stood on Kissara to get closer to the cryptid, which made the girl giggle. Looks like Hermione had been right, don't give stuffies of dangerous animals to kids. Granted, Kissara knew that tigers, dragons, and bears were dangerous, and she had some stuffies of them. So, what was different about this?

Crookshanks sniffed the air near the tailypo cautiously and in turn, the tailypo sniffed the air curiously. They smelled each other's faces. Bellatrix jumped and reached for her wand as both cat creatures jumped back. She breathed a sigh of relief when the two creatures went back to sniffing each other. Turns out that there had been a static shock shared between them as their noses accidentally touched.

Kissara sat up, abandoning pretending to go back to bed. She took Crookshanks into her arms and pet the top of the tailypo's head. She signed; 'Friend.'

Crookshanks yawned, then wriggled out of her grasp. He jumped off the bed. Took one look back, then strolled out of the room. Ash almost bumped into him in the doorway. She took one look into the room, her eyes briefly stopped on the tailypo, then she followed her mate back downstairs. Bellatrix stood rooted to the spot.

What the hell?

Kissara slid out of bed, reaching out for her momma. Bellatrix's heart raced as the little girl brought her over to meet the tailypo. Memories of watching a tailypo tear into its prey while cowering in the bushes resurfaced. She had barely escaped it, luckily a distracted dear had come along and proved to be a more attractive target. Rosy had also told her stories of tailypo's taking on other cryptids – and winning.

'Friend', Kissara signed again, 'Taiga.'

Bellatrix's jaw dropped. 'This is Taiga?'

The adventures Kissara made up with the stuffed Taiga – They had been real?

Bellatrix's mind went to the treehouse. Taiga and Kissara spent a lot of time there. And the extra half-sandwich Kissara had asked them to pack for her… They had assumed Kissara just wanted more food, she had denied feeding another student, but had told them she ate with Taiga at the edge of the schoolyard…

Oh, Merlin.

What had her daughter gotten herself into?

Bellatrix jumped, her focus coming back to the present. A big panther-like head was nuzzling at her hand. Her hand automatically petted the creature. She stared at the offending appendage. It wasn't particularly soft. Its wiry hair served a purpose and had no time to please human hands. But its small triangular ears were much softer.

Kissara crashed into her hip and gave her a hug.

'See? Friend.'

The 5-year-old crawled back into bed and then beckoned her friend to her side. Taiga obliged and wrapped themselves around the little girl. Bellatrix twirled her wand in her hand.

'Can we get a Christmas present for Taiga tomorrow?'

Bellatrix sheathed her wand. 'Maybe not tomorrow. We are seeing Grandma and Grandpa tomorrow. But yes, we can get Taiga a present.'

Bellatrix wasn't fond of the idea, but what else was there to do at the moment?

She kissed her girl good night and couldn't help but touch a soft ear again. The tailypo allowed it.

"Please keep my daughter safe." That is what Bellatrix said. 'Don't hurt my daughter' was what she meant. She wasn't sure how much English the creature understood and wasn't expecting an answer.

Yet before she turned to go the tailypo made eye contact with her and gave her a single slow nod. Bellatrix gave it a pinched smile and left.

She left the door a few inches open and sat outside, watching.

Kissara moved to get up, but Taiga placed their heavy paw and head on her, effectively preventing attempted playtime. Taiga closed their eyes and Kissara followed suit, though not without a huff.

"You will not believe what is upstairs right now," Bellatrix said as soon as Hermione came through the door. "And before you come at me, it was vetted by both kneazles and Kissara swears by it."

"I'm sorry?" Hermione had been half asleep on the way back but the worry in Bellatrix's voice woke her right up.

"Come."

Bellatrix grabbed her hand and dragged her to Kissara's room, not even letting her take off her boots or coat.

They peeked through the door. Two forms were on the bed. One was awake and peering at them through the darkness with yellow eyes. The other was in deep sleep, legs over her companion as if hanging from a bar in a playground, hands above her head and hair every which way.

"Whoa… You said – You said Crookshanks vetted it?" Hermione whispered.

"Yeah… It seems – friendly enough. Its name is Taiga."

"Taiga. You mean-?"

"Yep."

Taiga lost interest in them and closed their eyes.

"Well," Hermione said.

"Well?" Bellatrix repeated.

"I'm not sure."

Hermione turned, keeping an eye on Taiga until the last moment, then took Bellatrix's arm and led them out of the bedroom. Hermione took her boots and coat off and tossed them down the stairs. That was a tomorrow problem.

The women returned to their room. Air heavy. They weren't quite sure what to do.

Bellatrix sat on the edge of the bed, kicking at the carpet. Hermione paced in front of her.

"How long has this been going? Where did it come from? Did it follow you back from Canada? It is safe?"

Bellatrix was glad Hermione didn't seem to expect her to answer her rapid-fire questions. Hermione ruffled her own hair and dropped down next to Bellatrix.

"Can you contact Rosy tomorrow?"

Bellatrix blinked. Why hadn't she thought of that?

"Yeah, I will."

She heard Hermione take a deep breath.

"Its ears are soft."

"What?" Hermione let out a laugh. "It let you touch it?"

Bellatrix shrugged. "Yeah."

"Huh."

They both sat there. Too exhausted to move, too worried to sleep.

"I love you."

Bellatrix's head snapped around to look at Hermione.

"Wha-?"

Hermione shrugged. "I do." Her fists grabbed the duvet; she shouldn't have opened her mouth.

Bellatrix scanned the younger witch's face. Hermione was flushed red and avoiding her gaze.

Bellatrix must have heard what she thought she heard. The words rang in her ears. Had Hermine lost her mind?

Hermione made a move to stand but Bellatrix threw her arms around her to keep her down. Bellatrix couldn't find the words to say. The witch snuggled her face into her lover's neck and gave it a kiss. She flopped over and her head was now on Hermione's lap.

"I love you too." She muttered to said lap.

She felt Hermione stroke her hair. Maybe they'd both gone crazy.