"Merry Christmas!" James exclaimed enthusiastically before pulling both Val and her mother into a tight hug. He pulled away after a moment and Veronica straightened out her dress. "Come on in!" Val looked over at her mother who seemed eerily okay with the situation. She had expected her to decline the Potter's invitation to their Christmas dinner but here they were.

"Merry Christmas," Val replied with an amused grin. Her and her mother entered the house and pulled off their jackets, hanging it on the hook by the door. "Someone's in a good mood."

"It's Christmas," he pointed out as though it weren't already obvious. He slung his arm over the girl's shoulders and pulled her toward him. "Of course I'm in a good mood."

She rolled her eyes but rested her head on his shoulder, grateful for the warmth in comparison to how it felt outside. It may have been a short walk but it was still freezing and if she had been outside a second longer, she would have froze to death.

Her mother had left soon after they finished the meal because she had some errands to run. Veronica had told her daughter that her father would be home later that night so she shouldn't stay at the Potter's for too long.

"You know-" James began as the girl kissed his neck, "You should probably try to not leave any marks."

She smirked at this, "We're wizards, James. There are spells to cover it up."

"Well, if that's the case," he said before he flipped her over, his hands on either side of her head. He leaned down and kissed her lips before he left a trail of kisses from her mouth to her neck. He sucked gently on her soft spot, eliciting a moan from the girl. He grinned before nibbling gently and moving back up to her jaw.

She slipped her hands under his shirt and she felt him tense at her touch. He pressed his lips back to hers as his hands ran along her hips. He pulled her closer to him and she wrapped her arms around his neck so that she could pull him closer.

Without warning the door opened and the pair jumped away from each other. They looked over to who had entered to find a grinning Sirius and a wide-eyed Euphemia.

"Told you they were in here," Sirius announced and Val shook her head.

"Oh, Merlin," she muttered as she stood up from James's bed quickly. "Hi, Mrs. Potter."

James, however, was not happy with the interruption, "Have you heard of knocking?"

"You could have locked it," Sirius pointed out. "Or put a sock on the door."

Val covered her face with her hands as Euphemia pushed Sirius out of the room and shut the door. She turned to James with a petrified expression, "Tell me that didn't happen."

"See, that would be a lie and that doesn't seem like a good way to start this relationship," he informed her and she groaned. He crossed the room to her, "It could have been worse."

"I fail to see how anything could be worse than that."

"Well-"

She waved her hands quickly, cutting him off, "Don't say whatever it is you're thinking." He laughed at the girl and she glared at him. "How am I supposed to face her after she walked in on that?"

"It's not like we were naked, my love," he reminded her. "We were just making out like every other hormonal teenage couple does. It was nothing."

She groaned, rubbing her hand over her face, "You're not helping." She shook her head, "What if she tells my mom?"

"We weren't doing anything wrong."

"I know," she huffed. "I just wish she hadn't walked in."

"I'm sure that was all Sirius's doing."

"Bloody wonderful." She crossed her arms over her chest, "We have to go down there, don't we?"

"You have to go down there," he countered and she shot him a look.

"The window is looking like a solid option right now." He rolled his eyes before taking her hand in his and dragging her toward the door. "This is so embarrassing."

"Val, relax," he suggested as he opened the door. "It's not that big of a deal."

However, when they entered the kitchen, a very amused Sirius sat with Euphemia at the table. Val looked up at James warily and he shrugged.

"Have a seat," Euphemia suggested and the pair exchanged a look. "I just want to make sure you two are being careful," Euphemia explained, her hands folded on the table in front of her. Val's eyes widened as James's face dropped. He rested his head in his hands and Val was trying not to blush from embarrassment. She was failing greatly. "We don't need any teenage pregnancies."

"You don't have to worry about that Mia," Sirius announced. "Val is waiting until she's married."

Euphemia appeared surprised at this and turned to face the girl, "You are?"

"Um..." she trailed off, glancing at James who seemed beyond embarrassed that this conversation was occurring. "I am, yeah."

"Oh," she replied, a smile graced her face. "That's good for you. If my son ever pressures you or-"

"Mum," James interrupted and the women turned to look at him. "You don't have to worry about that. I would never push her to do something she doesn't want to do."

"See? Situation handled," Sirius gestured toward the pair. "No need to worry about them."

"Don't think I don't know about you and Remus," she informed him and his once amused expression swiftly changed to terror.

"Oh, I don't think we need to-"

"Just because you can't get pregnant, doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful."

James and Val exchanged a look before the former spoke, "Do we have to stay for this conversation?"

Euphemia shook her head, "No, I suppose not-"

"I had to sit through theirs," Sirius interrupted.

"She already said we could leave," James countered as he stood up. He stuck his hand out to Val who took it gratefully, fighting down a laugh, "We'll see you later. Have fun."

"I swear, Prongs, I'm going to-"

The pair didn't get to hear what exactly he was going to do because they had already shut the door to James's room. Val burst out laughing and James ran a hand over his face, "Merlin, I'm sorry."

"No, no," she shook her head, holding her stomach. "I mean, that was..." But she couldn't finish her sentence because she couldn't stop laughing.

"It's not funny."

She held up her hand, her finger and thumb an inch or so apart, "It's a little funny."

He rolled his eyes before he placed his hands around the girl's waist. She looked up at him with a grin, "How bad do you think it is for Sirius?"

"I can't even begin to imagine."

"I should probably head home," she informed him after a moment. "My mom said that my father is coming home tonight so it's best that I am actually there when he arrives."

He groaned, "Do you have to?"

"Do you want to face him?" she asked him. "You didn't exactly leave off on the right foot last time."

He huffed, "Fine, alright. At least let me walk you home."

She shook her head, "You don't have to do that."

"I know I don't have to, I want to," he explained. "That's what makes me such a gentleman."

She rolled her eyes as she grabbed her jacket off his bed and slipped it on. He adjusted it for her before pulling the zipper up so that it covered her up to her neck. He nodded his head to the door, "Come on."

He took her hand in his head and led them downstairs, slipping past the kitchen where Euphemia and Sirius were still having an uncomfortable conversation.

James grabbed his jacket off of the hook and the pair slipped their shoes on before leaving the house. Val immediately felt the cold touch her skin and wanted to retreat back into the Potter's home.

She rubbed her hands together and James reached over, enveloping both of her hands in his to keep them warm. He placed a kiss on top of them and she rolled her eyes as they approached the door to her home.

"Merry Christmas, my love," he said with a grin before leaning down and placing a kiss on top of her nose.

She grinned up at him, "Merry Christmas, James."

He moved to lean in for a kiss when her door opened and whoever was inside grabbed Val's arm. James was taken aback and reached for his wand, stopping only upon realizing it was Veronica.

"Sorry, James, but you should go," her mother suggested and he shook his head slightly. "Her father will be here any moment."

Val sent James an apologetic smile. "I'll write to you," James informed her.

She opened her mouth to say something but Veronica spoke up, "Under a pseudonym."

It had to remain a secret, Val reminded herself. If her father ever found out...

"Right, of course," James nodded. "Understood." And then he walked off.

Val had been home for hours and her father had yet to arrive. Not that she was upset with that but she could have spent the time with James.

Almost as though he knew she was thinking about him, an owl appeared at her window and she smiled. She opened the window and took the letter from it.

She opened it and read its contents:

Dear Val,

How do you like the name? It took me two hours to come up with when really it should have been the first idea I came up with. Sirius said that King of Hearts was a ruddy idea and pretty much said if I signed the paper with Cheshire Cat he would disown me. Not sure that's possible considering he lives in my house but nevertheless.

I would have written sooner but I was worried that if I sent it as soon as I got home, your father would intercept and I would get you and your mother in trouble. I suppose that's the point of the pseudonym.

Speaking of your father, how is he? As angry and terrifying as I remember? Seems unlikely that he's changed since the last time I saw him but if your mom did, maybe there's hope for him yet.

Onto more important matters, would it be possible for you to sneak out? I miss you and while I'm well aware of the fact that I saw you not too long ago, here we are. Maybe I'm a hopeless romantic but I wish I could spend every moment with you. It would make life much more bearable.

Sirius was livid once he returned to our room after his talk with Mum. It would have been funny had he not tried to hex me. He said to tell you that he blames you for it as well. His claim is that had you and I not made up, it never would have happened. Technically it's his own fault but I figure mentioning that would only anger him more.

Anyway, write back whenever you get the chance. No rush though, I wouldn't want you getting in trouble because of me although I suppose it's bound to happen at some point.

With Love,

Lewis Carroll

She smiled slightly at the pseudonym he landed on. Of course it was to be Alice in Wonderland centered. With him, she would have been concerned if it was something else.

Val pulled out a parchment, quill and ink to reply when something clattered from downstairs. She quietly made her way downstairs, her breathing growing heavier as she grew more anxious. It was possible that it was her mother but it was unusual for her to be up this late.

"Merlin, you scared me," Val announced, her hand over her heart as her breathing returned to normal. It was only her father. He stayed put where he stood and she grew confused, "Father?"

"I'm sorry," was all he said before he collapsed to the floor. Val's eyes widened and she ran toward him, collapsing on her knees. His hand shot up and he gripped her wrist. "Run."

"Dad?" she tried, her hand moving to his face as his eyes fluttered shut. "What's going on?" Her eyes flickered down to his forearm and she felt the color drain from her face when she saw what was there. The Dark Mark. Val scrambled to her feet and backed away, "What have you done?"

There was a bang from the other side of the house and her eyes widened. She patted her pockets in search of her wand until she realized she had left it in her room. "No..." she mumbled before she quickly made her way up the stairs as quietly as she could manage.

There was a crash and she jumped at the sudden noise. She opened the door to her room and grabbed her wand off the nightstand before going straight to her mothers room. "Mom?" she whisper-shouted as soon as she entered the room. "Mom, wake up!" she hissed and her mother's eyes shot open. "We have to go," she explained. "Now."

"What's going on?" she asked groggily.

"There's not enough time," she explained frantically. "Get your wand, we have to go." There was another crash and Veronica shot up. "Now, mom."

She hopped out of bed and pulled her wand out from the drawer. The two made their way out of the room and Veronica had her arm around her daughter, holding her back and her other hand held her wand up in front of them.

"Who is it?" she asked Val who had absolutely no idea how to explain what had happened in the last two minutes.

"I don't know," she replied. "But it can't be good."

The two made their way quickly down the stairs, Veronica still ahead of the girl. Maybe Val should have told her about the fact that her father was at fault. Maybe things would have ended differently.

"Val..." her mother trailed off, her eyes set on the man she loved who was on the floor, dead.

"There isn't time," Val shook her head. She remembered her father's request, "We have to run." Before she could react, there was a wand against her mother's throat and her own wand flew from her hand. "Mom!"

"Val, go!" Veronica shouted and the girl hesitated.

"I'm not going to leave you," she shook her head.

"You don't have a choice," she informed her.

"Mom..." she trailed off. Val looked up at the women who held her mother and she had never wanted anyone dead more than she did now.

"Go!" she exclaimed. "I'll be fine as long as you're safe. They aren't here for you."

"But-"

"Go!"

Val scrambled backward, her foot catching on her father's body. She steadied herself before she fell and ran out the door quickly.

She was ready to run back in after her mom when there was an explosion. It sent her falling into the asphalt street.

"No!" Val shouted as there was another bang and the house erupted with more flames. She moved to run back inside but someone's arms wrapped around her waist, "Let me go! She's still in there. I need to get her out."

The grip tightened around her waist, "You'll only get yourself killed." She went slack in his arms and he held her against his chest.

"She can't be gone..." she muttered although it was barely audible from the sound of her house falling apart. The neighbors began to emerge from their houses and gaped at the burning house. "She can't..."

Her knees buckled from her weight and she felt herself collapse to the floor. She fully expected James to let her drop but he didn't. He went down with her.

Val's hand clamped over her mouth as the sobs threatened to escape. James wrapped his arms around her and she pressed her head against his chest, allowing him to comfort her.