Note: Life has been crazy and even though I had planned to have this finished and published in January that didn't happen. This chapter is a bit longer hope that makes up for it.

Chapter 32 – Holiday Cheer

The Weasley family, plus Harry, was there to greet them at the door when they arrived.

Arthur Weasley had a few bandages wrapped around his forehead, but all in all, seemed to be in a good mood.

Sakura sighed a breath of relief. Even though she hadn't known Arthur for very long, she felt like she really had gotten to know the type of person he was through her "dreams" of him.

Molly pulled Sakura into a hug, "I heard you helped find Arthur, thank you, thank you."

Sakura was a little stiff, but she enjoyed the hug. Her father and brother had always been kind and loving but growing up she couldn't help but notice the lack of motherly presence in her life.

"I really didn't do anything," Sakura insisted, "but I am glad that you are alright, Mr. Weasley."

He gave her a smile.

"I'm almost good as new," he said. "Now, more importantly, I have a few questions I wanted to ask you. Hermione and Harry seem to be out of touch with the latest muggle contraptions, and I was wondering if you could explain this odd rectangular glass device my department found recently. "

Hermione didn't outwardly disagree, but she, unlike many other wizards in the wizarding community, could use a computer.

Arthur summoned the small tablet.

"I haven't the faintest clue of what it does."

"It is probably dead," Tomoyo explained.

"Does it need another battery?" Arthur asked, feeling pleased that he even knew what that meant.

"It needs to be charged," Tomoyo continued, Arthur passed her the tablet taking in every word. "Batteries nowadays do not usually need to be replaced for years."

As Tomoyo was doing her best to explain the difference between an external battery and internal battery, Harry was trying to avoid Hermione.

Ron, who was sick of this cycle, roped his arm around his shoulders and nodded for Hermione to follow them out of the living room. He led them to an empty room, a task not so easily achieved in the fully occupied townhouse.

Harry had already been given the gears by Ron, who had called him out after Arthur's safety was no longer in jeopardy. He cringed at the memory. He knew that Ron had a fiery temper, however, it was usually not directed towards him.

It was Hermione's turn now but to his surprise, she didn't look angry.

There was an awkward atmosphere in the room. He waited for her to say something, but she kept silent.

"I am sorry," he said when it was clear that it was his turn to reach out. "I was wrong, I should have told you."

Her silence was worse than her yelling.

Hermione cleared her throat. "I am just glad that you were able to talk with someone, even if that person wasn't me or Ron."

Harry felt a shower of guilt go through him.

"I am sorry," he said again. "I want to be more honest in the future."

The door creaked open and Creature stuck his arm in.

"I will not be in the same room as the mudbloods," he muttered before saying more loudly, "there is a letter for you Potter."

"Hey!" Ron yelled.

Hermione shook her head and Harry grabbed the letter from his thin arm.

"Who is it from?" he asked.

The door shut itself.

"Read it yourself!"

"What a nasty thing," Ron growled.

Harry opened the letter, guessing by the penmanship he had an idea of who it could be. He unfolded the letter and after the first sentence, he made an audible gasp.

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

Harry practically flung the letter at her, not wanting to read the rest.

Hermione took the letter, and with Ron peering over her shoulder, read the letter aloud.

Harry wanted to cover his ears.

"Occlumency lessons with Snape!" Ron cried.

How could Dumbledore do this to me! Harry thought.

"This is a form of torture," Ron continued.

"Dumbledore must think that the connection you had with Nagini must be more than a coincidence," Hermione replied, internally agreeing with the headmaster's choice of action.

"If he thought so why isn't he teaching me himself?" Harry couldn't help snap.

"Dumbledore might not be the best person for the job," Hermione said carefully.

Snape could be the best occlumencist in the world, that didn't mean anything to Harry, Snape was still Snape.

"You never did tell us about those dreams," Hermione pried, unbashful. It was all out in the open now, there was no point in not asking about it.

Keeping with his promise to be more truthful, Harry told them in more depth about those dreams.

"You heard him, you-know-who, in your mind?" Ron shuttered.

"Well I didn't really believe it was him, but after your dad was attacked…."

"I think you should take these lessons with Snape," Hermione said.

Harry and Ron glared at her.

"It's one thing for you to be in Voldemort's mind, but it's another for him to be in yours."

When there was no response from her stepfather or stepbrother, Alice assumed that she would be spending her winter holidays at Hogwarts.

The castle was beautifully decorated and there was always plenty of good food to eat, but she felt lonely. Everyone else she knew was going home for the holidays.

At the morning of departure, she had been sent a last-minute letter telling her to take the Hogwarts Express to King's Cross Station.

Alice ran up to her room and quickly summoned what she needed into her suitcase.

She took the train with the rest of her friends and separated from them at the station.

"Maybe we can meet up during the holidays?" Hermione had offered.

"I will send you an owl when I know where I am staying," Alice had replied.

…

Alice waited in the corner of the south exit where she had been instructed to wait.

An hour passed and she wondered if she was going to be stood up.

Will the Hogwarts Express take me back if I have nowhere to go? What if that platform is closed off to me?

She leaned back against the wall, taking in deep breaths.

Harry had told her that the platform had once been closed off to them.

She wondered if the Weasley family would take her in.

Her thoughts were disrupted. "Sorry I am late."

Alice was surprised to see Iris.

"Not who you were expecting?" Iris asked with a sympathetic smile.

"It's nice to see you," Alice said, forcing a hug.

"It will be nice to have some young blood around," Iris replied.

Iris led them to an old telephone booth. Alice didn't know how the two of them, and her belongings were going to fit, but somehow, they managed to.

Magic.

Iris picked up the phone and suddenly the floor below them disappeared, and before Alice had a chance to scream, they were in the UK Ministry of Magic.

Alice was a little too excited. It was her dream to work in a Ministry of Magic, it didn't matter where, and she was a geek for institutional structures. This was the first one she had ever laid eyes on. She herself had never seen the North American Ministry of Magic, MAGA or even the Canadian, no matter how much she tried to persuade Arnold, he refused to take her anywhere near a government building.

"They are not places for young wizards to hang around," he had said rather sternly. It was probably the first time his tone was anything but pleasant towards her.

The UK ministry was bustling with the after-work crowd.

"I hate this place," Iris muttered, trying to walk faster. "These youngsters will run you right over if you aren't careful."

"Iris, is that you?"

Alice stopped but Iris continued to walk as if she hadn't heard anything.

"Iris!" A lady with brilliant green robes and pepper coloured hair tied tightly into a tight bun called out.

"Oh, quit trying to ignore me."

Iris stopped and reluctantly turned around.

"Mavis Walter," Iris greeted, coldly.

Alice stood quietly in the background.

"Is this your granddaughter?" Mavis asked.

"Never had any children. This is Jane and Matthew's child, Alice Green."

Mavis looked at her.

"A spitting image of her father," she commented. Mavis walked closer to hold out her hand, "I used to work with your parents."

"We need to be leaving," Iris said, walking away.

"That's what you always say," Mavis replied angrily.

"It was nice to meet you," Alice said and hustled to catch up to Iris, who didn't stop to respond to Mavis.

Iris lead them to the closet fireplace and a minute later they were crawling out of her fireplace.

With the wave of her wand, Iris turned on the kettle.

"That silly Arnold asked me if you could stay with me during the winter break," Iris explained sitting down.

"Did he say why?" Alice asked.

Iris looked at her for a moment, internally debating what she should or shouldn't say. She only could think of the past. Times were supposed to be different, but they felt the same as they did during those dark years.

"I am not a child anymore," Alice stated, "I am going to be graduating in a couple of years, whatever is going on in the wizarding world, as a wizard I have the right to know."

"Take a seat then," Iris said, summoning two cups of tea and a tin full of biscuits.

"The Magical Congress of the United States of America is one of the most integrated societies in the world. No other magical society has embedded itself so deeply within muggle society. While these progress views have made North America flourish, it has brought about its own set of issues. MCUSA has been integral for upkeeping magical secrecy all over the world. Like their muggle counterparts, MCUSA has never been shy to intervene in other jurisdictions if they believe that the statue has been threatened. Their security and enforcement can only be rivalled by the smaller magical societies that keep themselves permanently isolated from muggles and often other wizards. They do this for good reason, if magic was to be revealed to muggles, they would be in the centre of it all."

Alice did notice that the places she had travelled to overseas didn't have as many wizarding patrol officers.

"The muggle attacks, many under its own jurisdiction, has only fuelled the anxiety. Ministry of Magic, Canada and the Magical Congress of Mexico, and many other central and south American ministries have been 'advised' to increase their security. This, of course, has affected all the wizarding schools, and Illvermony, the largest wizarding school in North America, has been the centre of attention. Parents and relatives were filled with terror after the janitor "incident," and were refusing to send their children back in the fall. Arnold has been doing what he can to reassure them that Illvermony is safe. In order to do this, he is unable to leave the school grounds while there are students staying over the winter break."

Alice had never even thought to consider the aftermath of gruesome janitor's death.

"Why wouldn't he let me come back?" Alice complained. Just because he as grounded at the school, doesn't mean she was. She would have loved to go back for the break.

"Traveling restrictions have already been put in place in North America and increasingly in Europe. If there isn't a good reason to leave the country or travel to another, it is hard to legally travel. Politicians and some business peoples have been given exceptions, but they are cracking down on young wizards such as yourself."

"How come I could travel here?"

"Because I know people," she explained.

"But my Liam is a Ministry worker, I am sure he could have spoken with someone," she tried to argue.

"Liam, as I have heard, is only a rookie. He is in no position to have the authority to make these exceptions," Iris replied.

"But Arnold is the headmaster of Illvermony, shouldn't he have the final say if I enter the school or not?"

"It isn't that simple," Iris sighed.

"I know there have been attacks, but I don't know if warrants this kind of lockdown," Alice said.

"You may think MCUSA has become extreme, but if you have heard the muggle news…"

Alice looked away, tears burning in her eyes.

"It's not fair, why am I the only one sent away. If it were really safer over here, why didn't they come with me?"

"It may not seem like it, but they want to protect you, and this is the only way they know how."

Alice cursed quietly. She didn't believe. They were stronger together not apart. If things were really that bad, she wanted to be there, not across the ocean, hiding.

The final bell chimed signalling the end of the day.

Nene a girl in her class, leaned over her desk. "We are going to try the new matcha-choco-strawberry pancake set, do you want to join?" she asked.

Mei was frozen. This was the first time she had been asked to join in on anything.

"It's okay if you are too busy…"

"No," Mei reassured her, "I want to come."

Mei momentarily forgot that she was a trapped woman inside a teenager's body.

But you are a teenage girl, her mind seduced her.

Kaito D. Yuna had not been in contact with her for a couple of weeks now. Mei didn't particularly want to be contacted by him, she hated being his lackey, but without him calling her, she felt lost. She was no longer a magician or an exorcist, she was just your average teenage girl stuck with the memories of an old, old, witch.

At least when he called her, she still felt like she was a part of the world that her memories related to.

She followed the girls to the only café in the small village.

Mei did her best to forget who she was and tried to focus on the small talk at hand. She felt stiff and awkward. She didn't have many girlfriends in her past life and she couldn't remember if she had any in this lifetime either.

In the end, they talked about the comics they were reading, popular music and the latest actors in the movies. The conversation wasn't deep, but Mei was still left flustered.

I should have been paying more attention she nagged herself. She made a mental note to pick up a stack of magazines at the 7/11 near her house.

At some point, I am going to have to accept that this is who I am now.

"We are going to a new Karaoke place this weekend in Tokyo, do you want to join?" Kanon another girl in her class asked.

"Sure," Mei quickly agreed.

It would be great if I could just forget everything and truly be a part of this world.

The image of Watanuki carrying a plate of snacks filled her mind. It amused and unsettled her at the same time.

How could I ever want to forget him?

…

Mei dragged her feet as she made her way home that Saturday afternoon. Singing with the other girls her age, while sipping on ice cream floats was the best memory she had in this body.

I wish we could have sung and drunk all night long.

Memories of the sweet sake her former customers had given her, occupied her mind.

I wish I was old enough to drink.

She past by a small restaurant.

What I would do for that kitsune's udon…

"Mei?"

Mei was taken off guard.

Iris's friend, Alice was only a couple of steps away from her.

"Are you here for the winter break?" Mei asked.

Mei didn't know much about Alice, except that she must be a wizard if she was staying with Iris.

Alice nodded. "I was actually going to get some dessert from the bakery, care to join?"

Mei's stomach agreed before she could decline. In her past life, she loved to snack and talk the night away, but when she first entered this body, people seemed to be uncomfortable with this; so she figured that whoever Mei was, she was quiet and reserved, the polar opposite of her true nature.

Alice treated her to a slice of cake and tea.

Mei appreciated this more than Alice would ever understand. Mei no longer had people serving her what she wanted when she wanted. She also wasn't old enough or with the means to go get the things she wanted herself.

As they talked about nothing of substance, Mei desperately wanted to ask Alice about Hogwarts. Maybe it was her age or nostalgia, but she was itching to know everything about Eriol. Was he really like Clow Reed? Would he still love her? Would she love him? But atlas, Mei was supposed to be an average Joe and she was sure Kaito would kill her if she ever revealed who she was, so she talked about the weather.

…

That evening Iris questioned her about Hogwarts.

"Well I admit, it is unique," Alice said, "their library is quite impressive."

Iris smiled. "I knew you would like it. Tell me about your friends."

"Well, you wouldn't believe who I sit beside in my classes."

"Who?"

"Harry Potter."

"The Harry Potter?" Iris asked jaw dropped.

"The very one. I thought he would be arrogant, but he is one of the nicest people there."

Alice smiled as she thought about him.

Iris then questioned her about her teachers and what she did outside of classes. Alice explained that she had been helping Syaoran and Sakura with their studies.

"Did you know that they went through my fireplace the day you went out with Mei to Tokyo," Iris recalled.

"What a weird coincidence."

"If that's what it is," Iris mumbled, "So that Eriol is in Slytherin, strange I would have begged in for a Ravenclaw," she said changing the subject.

Alice could see where she was coming from. But after spending time with him she didn't question the sorting hat. She thought about another Slytherin.

"What?" Iris asked.

"Nothing, just thinking of this other Slytherin, Draco Malfoy. We are friends, sort of," She thought about how she had basically word vomited asking him to be friends with her and was embarrassed.

"Malfoy, that's a name you can't forget. Lucius, his father, was a death eater."

Alice had heard about that.

"Is his son as nasty as his father?"

Alice thought about some of the things she had heard him say about Harry. During this reflection, she also thought about how he had helped both her and Harry and said, "well he isn't always a ball of sunshine," she admitted, "but I don't think he is a bad person either."

Iris gave her the same look Harry did.

"Why does everyone always give me that look?" she cried.

Iris looked away.

Holiday's at the shop was kept low key after Yuuko had passed, sometimes even forgotten. This year, however, was different. This winter holiday, they had a full house of people that didn't solely consist of jaded adults.

Maru and Moro weren't exactly children, but they weren't exactly adults either. Watanuki used to make more of an effort to celebrate holiday-related events but found that they were happy whether he did or didn't. Natsume's twins, however, were a different story.

Natsume constantly told him that there was no need to make a big fuss over Christmas, a western celebration, but how could he not? In his lonely childhood, there was nothing more that he could have wanted than to spend time with the people that he cared about.

Now that he was older and surrounded by friends, he really wanted to.

Without Natsume's knowledge, he had Ruby sneak fliers as well as investigate popular toys for children.

If he couldn't enjoy the fun Santa Clause, he at least wanted to spread it.

He spent the week before planning separate events for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. There was also Obone and New Years to prepare for.

Nothing Natsume said deter him.

"Let him do this," Kohane said to Natsume the morning of Christmas Eve. "I haven't seen him this happy since Yuuko was still here."

Natsume nodded. "You're right. I won't say anything else."

The store was covered from floor to ceiling in decorations.

Domeki who usually didn't say much about anything felt the need to comment.

This was of course ignored by Watanuki.

He was determined to celebrate the winter festivities.

…

Christmas Eve was one the of the most aching experiences Watanuki had lived through. Staying in the shop for five years, he thought that he was the master of patience, but that night couldn't be any longer.

He wasn't alone, the twins that had been hyped up by him were also restlessly waiting for the next day. The village they grew up in didn't celebrate Christmas, the Matoba Clan scoffed at the celebration of the western tradition and Natsume quite frankly couldn't afford do many of the various activities Christmas called for.

Katie and Will could almost hear each other thoughts and got cross with one another.

"Go to sleep," Katie hissed.

"You first," Will fired back.

Natsume sat up in his futon.

The twins turned in the opposite direction and he sighed.

Who knew Christmas could be this exhausting?

Natsume Takashi would be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little bit excited. Being passed around from family member to family member, he couldn't remember what it was like to have a good holiday memory at their age.

He thought of the Fujiwara's. It had been some time since he had been back to visit his ageing foster parents. He missed them dearly, but it was hard to make the time with his work and the twins.

They knew about them, but they hadn't had the chance yet to meet.

If only I could afford to bring them up here.

He used to think that the supernatural was his enemy but as he grew older, his growing nemesis was money.

If only I had more of it.

…

At 5:30 a.m., Watanuki could take it no more. He had gone through the motions of getting ready for sleep, but that was only for show.

Will and Katie had snuck out of their room, not unnoticed by Natsume, and made their way to the living room.

"How come you're awake?" Katie asked Watanuki, giving him a morning hug.

"I'm always awake this early," he replied.

Domeki who was leaving for his morning run popped his head in and said, "no, you are not."

The twins hugged him, and Domeki stood as straight as a board.

The twins were becoming rather affectionate as they began to open up to the people in the shop.

Will, Katie and Watanuki sat in painful silence, staring at the mountain of gifts underneath the overflowing Christmas tree.

"Do we have to wait for him?" Katie asked at 6.

Watanuki was having a hard time denying them.

"He always sleeps in on the weekend," Will said.

"Well technically it is a Monday," Watanuki said trying to change the subject.

At 6:15 Will stood up. "I will go wake him up."

Natsume was already at the door.

"Can we please open one," Katie begged, not letting him say anything.

"I am surprised you even waited for me."

They gave him a big hug.

"Merry Christmas," Katie said a little too loudly waking the rest of the house up.

At the Weasley house, 9 hours later, handknitted sweaters were being passed around.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Sakura said. Putting on a light pink knit sweater that had a white S in the middle.

Syaoran thanked her and placed on his forest green knit sweater with a gold S in the middle.

It looked itchy, but Syaoran found it was very comfortable, even if it was a little embarrassing.

The exchanged gifts before they had a hearty breakfast. Christmas supper was going to be at dinner, and no one was allowed to eat till then.

As Eriol sipped on his English Breakfast, he thought about his own Christmas celebrations. Ruby had always made them a large dinner with so much food, they would eat the leftovers for days. He missed Ruby and thought about sneaking out to see her.

The thought became more appealing as the morning drew on.

It would be safe if we stayed in the shop.

There were unpleasant interactions he would have to have, but if he could just see Ruby for even a little while it would be worth it. Just a couple of hours.

That wouldn't hurt anyone right?

He suggested the idea.

Sakura could barely contain herself.

She wouldn't be able to see her brother, father or Yue/ Yukito, who was now in the Clow Country, but even if she could just visit Watanuki would be more than enough.

Eriol informed Ms. Weasley that would be gone for a few hours but would be back before dinner.

Tomoyo, Sakura, Syaoran, Kero and Suppie placed a hand on Eriol and he transported them to the shop.

Eriol leaned on the shop's door, feeling woozy from the magic and almost fell over when Ruby opened the door.

Ruby began to cry at the sight of him.

Eriol cleared his throat pushing down the lump. He didn't know he could miss anyone this much.

Watanuki just about choked on his drink when he saw them.

"You never told me you were coming," he said, stumbling to get up.

Sakura's eyes stung. He always made her feel like she was at home.

Tsubasa stood up at the sight of her.

This wasn't his Tsubasa, but she looked just like her. After meeting their clones, he thought he would be immune to seeing someone that looked alike, but it was still just as shocking.

He held out his hand and introduced himself.

"Li Tsubasa."

"Kinomoto Sakura."

Not your Tsubasa! He chanted in his mind. It wasn't working, he wanted to hold her despite everything.

Syaoran who could feel the strange aura coming off him introduced himself.

Syaoran's eyes were hard and unamused, it uncomfortably reminded Tsubasa of himself in his earlier years.

Things only got more awkward as Kurogane interrogated Tomoyo, who also seemed to be in a mood and was not having it.

"You can see the future, right?" he asked.

This triggered her greatly.

"I cannot," she replied curtly.

"What kind of magic can you do?" he asked, not put back by her attitude.

"I cannot do magic," she said.

"Then what can you do?"

It was like he was stomping in salt in all her wounds.

Eriol sensing an explosion intervened. "Her talents lay else," he said.

Tomoyo breathed deeply.

This is supposed to be a holiday!

She wasn't excited to be back in Japan, it only reminded her that she shouldn't have left in the first place.

Kurogane turned away from the steaming princess lookalike. Not as regal, he thought and placed his attention onto Eriol, Clow Reed's supposed incarnation.

He had never personally met Clow Reed, but there was something in his aura that he recognized, it wasn't hostile like Fei Wong but there was no doubt that they came from the same source.

When Eriol caught him staring, Eriol tried to give a friendly smile.

Kurogane was put off by this. He was smiling normally, but he couldn't help feeling like he was being smirked at.

Reminds me of that fool.

In the midst of all these first interactions, Watanuki was scrambling around the shop. There had been no point to it, but as he had gone through the multiple catalogues Ruby was supplying, he may have over-shopped.

It was a dangerous thing, boredom and money. Even if he spent every last dime, he would always have shelter and he didn't even need to eat.

In the storage room, he began to gather his collection of presents.

His arms were overfilled, making his vision compromised and it was only muscle memory that brought him back to the party.

As he handed these gifts out, he felt guilty for the discriminate amount of effort he had put into Sakura's gift.

But it was no secret that Sakura was his favourite. Was it a strange paternal attraction? Because she supposedly looked like his mother, he had a hard time remembering? Was it because his other selves loved her? Or was it just the fact that to him she was a sweet angelic little sister that graced his existence.

Syaoran Li, who had been avoiding Sakura, was feeling very uncomfortable. Sakura, as he remembered was always popular with her cheerful attitude and her can-do spirit, people, women and men, naturally gravitated towards her. This never bothered him but Tsubasa and Watanuki's were different. He assumed that they felt the exact same way about her.

Not to mention that Watanuki was never cross with her and at every conceivable moment, showered her with physical and emotional gifts of affection. Tsubasa Li, his older look alike from another world had an especially threating vibe.

"Oh, Kimihiro you shouldn't have," Sakura said. She gently took out the pink and gold-plated ink pen.

"I heard that's what you write with over there," he replied.

"Thank you, if I had known we were coming today-,"

"Don't worry about," he said cutting her off, "I am just happy if you like it."

Syaoran wanted to break up this flowery scene, he too had a present all wrapped and ready to give to her.

Somehow Tomoyo caught his eye. She looked unnaturally unsympathetic.

He hadn't realized how scary she could be.

When the twins began to introduce themselves, Kohane took the chance to re-establish herself again. Kohane didn't care to be the center of attention, she just wanted one person to notice her.

Domeki put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

It was like he could read her mind and she was embarrassed. Honestly, she didn't know how to deal with someone like Domeki. He was too reserved, too serious, too much like her. Whenever they were together, she could find nothing to say. She needed Ruby or Watanuki as a buffer.

She didn't hate him. How could she? Even if they didn't speak much to each other he was an integral person in her life. He without fail escorted her grandmother to every one of her events, there weren't many, but he was always there. Although she suspected he didn't have much choice in the matter, but he never complained about it if that was the case.

She took some comfort in his presence, but she was beyond frustrated. Sakura too called him by his first name, they didn't know each other that long.

Kohane could only vaguely remember how he swooned over Himawari, but it seemed similar.

Watanuki spotted his quiet friends across the crowd.

"Here," he said throwing a crumpled piece of paper to Domeki who caught it easily in one hand.

He unravelled the paper.

"One meal," he read aloud.

Domeki smiled.

"I'll have to think about this one."

Watanuki tried to take the paper back but failed.

"Don't think I have forgotten about you," he said, taking out a small box. "I never had the chance to get you anything for getting into the high school of your choice."

She opened it, revealing a thin gold chain.

"You should be able to wear this without getting in trouble," he said.

Kohane was nearly moved to tears, without thought she flung herself to him.

He was surprised but hugged her back in the spirit of Christmas.

Domeki eased her back.

As much as she would hate him for this, he knew that they weren't on the same page. As much as he was moving on, Watanuki was still with a gaping hole that no one but Yuuko could ever attempt to patch up. Not even his favourite princess or Sakura could help with that.

Domeki who had known her since she was small, didn't want to see her like this. She deserved better and he knew better than anyone Watanuki would agree.

…

"Merry Christmas," a familiar voice called.

Sakura stopped and looked at the door.

"To-,"

Without warning, Syaoran dragged her behind him, Eriol and Tomoyo who were close by reached out to him and they were gone.

Eriol plopped on to the closest chair in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place.

Sakura dashed into the room she was sleeping in and hid under the blankets and cried.

Kero sat beside her, there was nothing he could think of to make her feel better, so he stroked her head.

"I didn't even get to say goodbye," she cried.

…

Tomoyo and Syaoran were quietly discussing the recent events near the fireplace, while Harry and Ginny were carrying on small talk and trying to politely not listen.

"Poor thing, she is so upset," Tomoyo said, her own irritability going away.

Syaoran nodded.

"You don't think they saw her?" Syaoran asked after while.

"Saw who?" Ron asked, forcibly taking a seat between Harry and his only sister.

Tomoyo explained that they weren't allowed to meet with their family or friends.

"It's been some time since she has gone up," Hermione commented.

They looked at Eriol who had now moved to a couch and was sitting at the edge, holding his head up.

As much as Tomoyo wanted to go up there, she knew that it was time for the two to finally reconcile.

"I'll go check on her," Ron volunteered.

Harry put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"I need your help with something," he lied.

"With what?"

Hermione took his other side, "with preparations."

Syaoran looked at Tomoyo, who took a seat beside Eriol.

"Feeling any better?" she said going to his side.

Syaoran standing alone, cleared his throat, "I'll go check on her then."

He walked up to the stairs slowly. Why was this so hard for him to do?

He knocked on the door, there was no answer.

He gently opened the door.

"Tomoyo?" she croaked. When he didn't answer she tried again. "Eriol?"

He stood still on the other side of the door.

"Ron is that you?"

At that Syaoran walked in.

It hurt him that she was beginning to not consider him anymore.

We are still friends, right?

He hadn't been treating her like one, but he didn't think she would give up on him that easily.

"It's just me."

Sakura looked surprised and rubbed her face.

"I was just lying down."

"What do you want brat?" Kero asked.

Kero had seen firsthand how hurt and disappointed m Syaoran made her feel. Kero was not his biggest fan.

"Could you go check on Eriol," Sakura asked him, "he didn't look well, I am worried."

Kero glared at Syaoran on his way out.

Syaoran hadn't felt this awkward being around her since when he first moved to Japan all those years ago.

It wasn't like he didn't have anything to say, he just didn't know how.

"It was nice seeing Kimihiro," she said, trying to start a conversation. If he was holding out a hand, she wanted to take it. She didn't know what had happened between them, what she had done, but she wanted this tension to go away.

"It was nice," Syaoran said, though truthfully was on edge the whole time.

"Did I do something to offend you?" Sakura finally asked. "I don't know what I did, but I am sorry."

Syaoran went red, "you haven't done anything at all."

"Then why have you been avoiding me this past couple of weeks?" she asked.

"I haven't-,"

She looked at him.

"I don't know," he replied.

Her hurt expression made him want to leave.

"Do you not like me anymore?"

"No, it's not that," he said looking to the side.

"Have you gotten sick of me?" she asked, her voice a couple of octaves higher. Her imagination was running wild.

"No-,"

"Then why won't you look at me anymore! You barely talk to me, you always move away when I am near, I am starting to think you hate me."

Sakura hoped with every fibre of her being that she was wrong, but he was saying nothing to convince her otherwise.

Her mind raced to create a future without him in it.

"I don't hate you!" he cried, "far from it, I-, I."

Sakura pulled herself out bed.

"Just tell me the truth, I can take it."

"I love you."

Syaoran covered his mouth and Sakura made an audible gasp, neither had prepared themselves for this turn of events.

Syaoran was tempted to take a few steps back, close the door and keep on walking until he was back in his family's house in Hong Kong.

"Syaoran," he took a step back.

He couldn't, no he wouldn't listen to her rejection of his heart. He took another step back, with plans to hail a taxi for the airport.

"I," there was tears in her eyes.

He raised his hands up, "you don't have to force-," she cut him off.

"I'm trying to say that I love you too."

Now Syaoran was tongue-tied. He had always hoped that she would reciprocate his feelings. When she confessed to him, the first time he was going back to Hong Kong, he always had a nagging voice in his mind telling him that she only said she did because he was leaving.

"I've never stopped loving you," she continued, "it was so hard when you were in Hong Kong, and I was so happy when you came back to Japan."

Sakura was crying a blend of happy and sad tears.

Syaoran slapped himself in the face.

Sakura stopped crying to give him a puzzled look.

"I didn't know if this was real," he said.

He was relieved and disappointed. Syaoran was a closeted romantic man, and he envisioned a thousand scenarios in which he was going to re-confess his feelings for her. None of them, however, ended like this.

Sakura took a step closer.

"I don't want you to ignore me anymore," she said, almost sternly.

He walked over and pulled her into his arms.

The old door creaked open.

Tomoyo stood front and center with her camcorder. Eriol was looking amused with a disinterested Suppie and a livid Kero. The twins were in the back making kissing noises, while Harry tried to silence them. Ron looked embarrassed as he handed Hermione a handkerchief.

Syaoran, rather annoyed, reluctantly let her go.

The dining hall was at over capacity, they couldn't fit another soul in even if they tried.

The small but intimate group of close friends and allies, who couldn't come together often, seized the opportunity to enjoy the time they had together.

They clinked their glasses together as they cheered to their future prosperity.

Serving the food was a bit of a mess, but altogether the ambiance was good.

The whole atmosphere seemed too normal for a group of Death Eaters, Draco thought.

Things were changing in the wizarding world, and his father had invited a few "friends," over from what he referred to as, the glory years.

Draco was safely sandwiched between his mother and father.

If he had suspicions of who was a death eater before, this dinner confirmed it.

Some faces were uncomfortably familiar, some he had never laid on eyes. Before, fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on who you asked, Draco had not been allowed to meet his father's old squad. It was now that he was nearing the end of his senior years in school that his father was becoming more open with him.

Draco didn't know if he liked this, but he went along with it. For longer than he could imagine, he had always wanted his father to notice him, approve of him. Inviting him to these events, albeit terrifying, meant that he was in.

Accepted almost.

"Your boy is so big now, I haven't seen him since he was a wee little thing," a man he didn't know commented.

His mother stiffened.

Draco was sure it was his mother that kept it that way.

His mother was a quiet, woman who didn't argue very much with his father unless it was about him.

Lucius at one point was trying to have him homeschooled, he thought Hogwarts had lost it's standing within the wizarding world by being filled with so many non-pure wizards. But his mother "talked" him out of it.

As with many of the important decisions about his life, Draco stayed quietly out of it.

He had money and influence, what was the alternative? What would be the benefit of him turning against his family, other than unnecessary suffering?

Free thought was a small price to pay in order to continue living, the overall, lavish lifestyle he had.

He had heard rumours that Harry Potter had lived in a broom cupboard. A broom cupboard!

I don't have it that bad.

"He will be supporting us in the years to come," a family friend pipped up.

A few people banged their fists on the table.

Draco's bourgeois manners could not handle this.

"It will be nice to have some new blood."

Before they could continue, his father raised his glass.

Draco scrambled to pick up his sparkling juice. How was it that he was allowed to have dinner with death eaters, but he wasn't allowed to have wine with his meal? He didn't understand his parent's logic.

"To the dark lord."

"To the dark lord," the rest repeated.

Lucius glared at him for not cheering he-who-must-not-be-named.

I'm going to hear about this later.

9 hours away in the early hours of December 26th, Alice lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

Her parents were on her mind.

How they died more specifically.

Alice wanted to believe that she was a person that lived her truth, that she stood and would stand for the values that she believed in; but could she be a martyr?

Could she willingly place herself in a position where her life was at stake?

The idea of it was heroic but honestly, she was leaning towards the hell no.

Everywhere she travelled lately, she could feel a change in the air, and it didn't seem like a pleasant one.

I already don't have a choice.

…

Iris was distressed when Alice came went out for breakfast that morning.

"What's wrong?"

"I've been summoned to London," she groaned.

"I thought you weren't a ministry worker anymore?" she asked.

"Once a ministry worker always one. Pack your belongings, it doesn't seem like we will be able to come back before the end of the break."

Alice was disappointed, she had enjoyed having her own room.

By that afternoon they were off to London.

"If they are forcing me to stay here it's going to be on their dime!"

Iris led them to one of the fancier hotels in Diagon Alley.

They settled in and had a quiet evening in the hotel.

The next morning Iris had Alice accompany her to one to one of her meetings. Alice didn't mind, what else was she going to do? She had yet to send an owl to Hermione and on such short notice, she doubted they were going to be able to meet.

Alice followed Iris into the Ministry of Magic. Alice wondered if she would get in trouble for looking around because that's how she planned to spend her day.

"I've been retired for ages, and yet they still have the nerve to call me in."

"Mrs. Jones, such a pleasure to see you again," Alice turned around to be greeted by Draco and his father.

Draco tried to avoid eye contact.

She was the last person he wanted to see.

"Draco," she called anyway.

"Oh, a friend from school?" Lucius asked, interested.

Aside from Hermione Granger, Draco never brought up any other girls and Lucius was beginning to question if his son was even interested.

"We are partners," Alice said, then quickly added, "assigned partners in some classes."

Her accent was not English which was almost enough to immediately disqualify her in Lucius' eyes.

"Lucius Malfoy," he said extending a hand.

"Alice Green," she said nervously shaking it.

Green, he knew that to be the name of a pure-blooded family.

Aside from her accent, Lucius could find no more immediate fault with her.

"Make sure to treat your friend somewhere nice for lunch," Lucius said to Draco.

"She's-," he glared at him until he closed his mouth. "Yes, father."

Lucius turned to her, "I hope you are acquainted with London; Draco is ghastly with directions."

Alice tried not to laugh.

"I am well acquainted; we won't get lost."

"Very well, enjoy your day," he said, before following Iris into an elevator.

As soon as the elevator was out of sight, Draco turned on his heel and began to walk away. He didn't have a destination, he just wanted to be out of there.

"Wait!" Alice cried, "where are you going?"

"Somewhere where you're not," he replied.

"Your father said you were supposed to take me for lunch," she argued.

"What he doesn't know won't kill him."

"I don't want to wander around alone, do you?" she asked.

What his father said was true. Draco tended to get lost, which is why he almost never went places alone. If for good for nothing else, Crab and Goyle never got him lost.

"Well, I don't see why I should have to spend my time with you."

"There is no one else," she said, matching his speed.

"You're not going to leave, are you?"

"Nope."

After a few minutes, she asked, "where are we going?"

Draco didn't reply. He had no idea, he was just walking.

"Why don't we go to a museum?" she suggested, "they are all free."

"Why would I want to spend my time at a muggle establishment?" he asked.

"What else do suggested we do?"

"I suggest you bugger off of so I can do my own thing."

Alice was becoming desensitized to his words.

"Too bad you're stuck with me for the day," she declared defiantly.

Meanwhile, Harry was having a precious one on one time with his godfather.

In a house so cramped, it was hard to have that kind of privacy.

"I've just been so angry," Harry explained. "This rage, it feels like it's trying to consume me sometimes."

Sirius nodded.

"I know a little about rage, I spent my 12 years in Azkaban reeling in it."

He placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I also know what it does to the body," he said, pointing to himself as an example. "It will eat you alive if you let it, you have got to find a way to channel that out of you."

"I don't know how."

"Sports is always good, or so I have heard."

They began to talk about his budding Quidditch career.

Sirius was the only person who didn't attach conditions to their relationship. He felt truly accepted and just speaking for this short of a time was enough to already bring up his spirits.

"Any luck with the ladies?" his godfather prodded, nudging him.

"Well…"

"I knew it, young Ginny Weasley."

Harry looked around frantically. He feared what would happen to him if any Weasley brother overheard this conversation.

"No, no. She is a Ravenclaw named Cho Chang."

Sirius looked disappointed.

"Oh," he said.

Harry more quietly begged for him to never mention Ginny Weasley in that context aloud, ever again.

"You may think that it is funny, but I am sure that Ron would do everything to kill me if he ever thought I had any sort of intention towards Ginny. Besides," he trailed off.

"Besides what? It looked like you two were getting along well. If you married her, you could officially be a part of the Weasley family," he sold him.

"Wouldn't she take my name? That's beside the point. Ginny is like a sister to me, that's all she will ever be."

Ginny who happened to be walking by heard the last bit of their conversation and ran to her room.

Why did she have to be rejected like this?

I never even told him.

Ginny was sad and it took everything she had not to burst out into tears while Hermione was reading in the bed next to hers.

Hermione could tell something was up, but if Ginny wanted to talk she would.

Ginny after some time was no longer sad, she was just angry.

What is the point of chasing after someone who doesn't even consider me? I won't chase him anymore.

Lunch was an intense fair.

Harry had asked her to pass the salt shaker, and she nearly threw it at him.

Harry was oblivious to her anger until he asked her to play a game of wizard's chess, something that they did around this time every day.

"No," she replied rather curtly.

He looked shocked at her tone.

She didn't want to lose him as a friend, so with a much gentler tone, she said, "maybe some other time. I am feeling tired."

She was going to be okay, just not today.

In Piccadilly Square, Alice was having a difficult time trying to navigate a place Draco accepted as a restaurant. They were either too crowded or too foreign or most of the time to muggly for him to agree to.

"Well, what about a hot dog?" Alice asked. She was getting hungry and irritable. She thought she might have gone somewhere upscale but now she just wanted to eat.

"Off the street? Like some beggar!" he cried, enraged.

Alice clenched her hands, she didn't think spending time with him would be this difficult.

"We are going into this restaurant," she stated, taking his arm and dragging him across the street.

Alice didn't know what kind of food it was if it was crowded or even if it was open. She didn't care, they were going to make it work.

"Get off of me," Draco wiggled free when they entered the restaurant.

"For two," Alice said to the host.

"What a handsome couple," the older host remarked.

"We are not dating," they said at the same time.

This was growing on Draco's worst-day-ever list.

They were seated in the middle of the upper scale Italian restaurant.

"Are you old enough to drink wine?" the young waiter asked.

"No," Alice said truthfully. They were at least half a decade too young in North America.

Draco scowled. They were only one year from the legal drinking age in the UK. Why did she have to spoil it for him?

"Sparking juice?" the waiter offered.

Alice nodded.

Draco said nothing. What choice did have in the matter? What choice did he ever have when she was around? She was like a natural disaster that came in and destroyed his peaceful life whenever she was around.

The waiter handed them the menus before leaving.

Draco scrolled down the list. The most foreign dishes he had was when they served Bulgarian and French dishes during the Tri-Wizarding Tournament the previous year, and even then, he ate them with the utmost caution.

Draco Malfoy was not an adventurous eater.

"What are you going to have?" she asked.

"Dunno," he said, trying to look for something safe. "Spaghetti and Meatballs."

"That's boring," she replied.

"It's a classic." He said annoyed he had to defend his decision.

The waiter came with a bottle of sparkling apple juice and took their orders.

Alice on the waiter's recommendation went with the special of the day, a seafood linguini.

When he left, Alice poured them a glass of the sparkling juice.

If she were with anyone else, she would have cheered to their up-coming lavish meal. Instead, she drank and looked everywhere but across from her.

She was embarrassed and annoyed. She didn't know which feeling was more prevalent. Anybody who looked at them would think that one, they were undressed for such a restaurant, but more importantly that they were on a date.

This embarrassment competed with her annoyance. Why could he just play nicely with her? Why did he always have to be so standoffish and moody?

Does he really hate me that much?

After a few minutes, Alice tried to engage with some light conversation. She was sure their tension was making everyone else feel uncomfortable.

"What have you been doing this winter break?" she asked.

He didn't respond right away, as he was looking off to the right of him, as not to make eye contact. He wanted to pretend that he hadn't heard her. He had been ordered to eat with her, but no one had said anything about the conversation.

An older couple beside them were looking at him. The old lady was glaring at him and her aura said that she would hit him with the cane that was rested to the side of her if he didn't answer.

He looked at Alice.

Can't even enjoy the peace of silence.

"Mostly just been accompanying my father to various functions," he said broadly. Even if he wanted to be open with her, he couldn't just say that he had been hanging out with death eaters.

"Like political events?" she asked, looking excited.

"Something like that," he replied.

"What is it like? Does everyone dress up? Do they serve good food? What about live music?" she bombarded him with questions.

"Uh," he paused, overwhelmed by her unnatural enthusiasm for the subject. "There is a dress code, food is mostly subpar, and rarely do they have decent musicians."

Alice visible lowered with disappointment in her seat.

"Why do you care?" he asked.

"I've always wanted to work for the Ministry."

"Here in the UK?"

"Well yes, but no, any ministry would do."

"I'll probably work in the ministry, my father is a ministry worker, I expect I will be one too," he said.

"Is that what you want to do?" she asked.

"What else is there?" he replied. He couldn't think of any other alternative, in fact, he had never bothered.

"Well, you could be a teacher? Or a-," she looked around at the other no-maj in the restaurant, "researcher. A law enforcer, you are the head of Umbridge's task force."

He rolled his eyes, "please don't ever call it that again."

"Well that's what it is, isn't it?"

Draco just shook his head.

"I thought you liked it, why else would you be the leader?" she asked.

"You make it sound like I had the choice in the matter," he said truthfully.

"You had to?"

"Of course, I did. Merlin only knows what my father would have done if he heard I rejected that kind of opportunity."

"I am sure he would understand."

"You don't know my father."

The conversation was interrupted by the food.

Alice was pleased with the portion size.

"Is he really that strict?" Alice asked, twirling the pasta in her spoon.

"I don't know anybody stricter, except McGonagall."

They both looked around. Alice half expect her to come out and scold them.

"Your folks not strict?"

"My parents died when I was young," she said.

Draco paused momentarily but continued to eat.

"Sorry," he said.

"Don't be," she replied, "you had nothing to do with it."

He looked at her.

"My step-father Arnold is the headmaster of Illvermony, he is goofy but kind. Liam, my step-brother is a bit of a klutz, but he sticks up for me."

"Why are you at Hogwarts?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"Arnold has really never been that strict with me, but then again I was a very well-behaved child, anyways, he and Liam were convinced that it was safer for me to be at Hogwarts."

"That doesn't make any sense," Draco replied. "Lots of things have happened at Hogwarts. Most you can point directly to Potter."

"You can't blame Harry for what he has been through, but I agree, it doesn't make any sense to me. It still doesn't, but they have all but banished me from returning. I really wanted to go back this break."

The feelings of abandonment came creeping through.

"Even if it is more dangerous over there, I would rather be together."

Draco handed her his handkerchief. He had seen his father do this when he was younger.

Not to mention there was a room full of glaring eyes, silently accusing him for her tears.

Alice accepted the handkerchief, "sorry."

There was some silence and then returned to eating.

"My brother Liam was really on edge before I left, he was sure that you-know-who had returned," Alice said.

Draco looked at her.

"He is right."

Alice shivered, she knew for a fact that he wasn't talking to Harry about this.

She remembered what Iris had said. His father was a death eater.

Draco returned to the food.

He just can't be a death eater.

The waiter came back to take their plates and Draco paid for the meal.

The streets were even more crowded by the time they made their way back to the ministry.

After Alice had been pushed into Draco a few times, he finally took a hold of her arm.

"Walk properly."

Alice had a hard time concentrating on the way back.

He can't be a death eater.

She really wanted him not to be.

"You can't be," she accidentally said out loud.

"Be what?" he asked.

"Picky with your food choices," she quickly made up.

"But I am," he said without shame.

Alice laughed.

No, he isn't one. I won't believe it.

Lucius Malfoy and Iris Jones were standing very far apart when they arrived.

Lucius raised his eyes at their joined arms.

Draco quickly let go.

"The streets were very busy," Alice tried to explain to no one in particular.

"They will run you over," Iris agreed, not even blinking an eye.

"Miss Green," Lucius said, beckoning Draco to follow.

Draco went quickly to his side.

"Say goodbye to your friend. Really this child has no manners."

"See you at school," Alice said first.

"Bye," he said hastily.

Lucius hit him with his walking stick.

"Really?"

"See you at school, Alice."

It was weird when he called her by her name. It was normally just "you," or "hey!"

She gave a little wave and stared at them as they left.

"Enjoy your day?" Iris asked as they made their way back to their hotel in Diagon Alley. There was a double meaning in her voice.

"It was rocky at first, but I did," she said.

"Seems you get along better than I thought," Iris continued.

"I'm not sure about that," Alice replied absentmindedly.

She couldn't let go of the idea of him being a death eater, no matter how much she didn't want that to be true.