The Christmas season came and left briskly. Guinevere spent her Christmas at the Leaky Cauldron, opening her wrapped gifts from Lily. The red head had sent her a new advanced charms book and a new bottle of her favorite vanilla rose perfume. Those were the only gifts she received that morning when she awoke to the sound of Christmas carols below. But Guinevere was content, if she had been at home she would be surrounded by luxury gifts. Guinevere didn't need that anymore. Those gifts meant nothing, all meaningless tokens of the money and power her family held in the world. Gifts didn't cover up bruises and tears. They just created more, at least thats how it was in the Avalon house. She didn't sing songs and sit by the fire. She was ridiculed and alone when in the large mansion.

This Christmas, the first in a long time, Guinevere was happy. She wasn't sitting in rage or fear. Guinevere sat warm and comfy. Not another Avalon in sight or mind.

Then a knock came from her window sill.

An unfamiliar owl dropped a small package and flew off. Guinevere eyed the box, unsure of who would send her something. More importantly, what was it?

Guinevere cautiously picked up the box and laid it on her bed. The black wrapping paper and matching ribbon almost staring back at her.

She quickly unwrapped it, ready for whatever was inside.

But instead of something horrible jumping out at her or trying to kill her, inside laid her grandmothers lace mask.

Guinevere smiled, she had completely forgotten about it. Below it there was small note.

You left this in your hiding place, I figured you would want it back. I'm not exactly sure if you will get this considering all I told the owl was your name, but I hope it reaches you. Happy Christmas.

Sirius.

Guinevere smiled at the note and put the mask on her makeshift dresser.

Christmas was turning out to be better than expected for Guinevere Avalon.

||

The holiday break was soon over and Guinevere's trunk was packed and ready for Hogwarts. She didn't mind her room at The Leaky Cauldron, but the Slytherin common room was definitely home to Guinevere. To be quite honest Guinevere didn't know what she was going to do for Summer, she couldn't stay at the Leaky Cauldron forever. So she would need a job, and eventually buy a flat for herself. But until summer she had Hogwarts to call home, not that it's different for Guinevere, Hogwarts was her safe place. In the comfort of the green sofas and elaborately carved fire places of the Slytherin common room.

Finally the day came where she would board the Hogwarts express for the remainder of 6th year. Guinevere was early to the station and sat at the edge watching families arrive. Prince cooed watching the hustle and bustle of the station happily. Guinevere was looking through her book from Lily reading new charms.

"Gwen!" Lily squealed running towards the girl.

Guinevere quickly stood up smiling,"Lils!"

The red head opened her arms and wrapped Guinevere in a hug.

"I've missed you!!" Lily sighed,"We have so much to catch up on"

"We sure do" Guinevere sighed.

The two girls headed onto the train and found a compartment.

"So how was France?" Guinevere asked.

"Never mind France, tell me about the ball!"

"It was... bearable" Guinevere mumbled.

"Bearable? What did you do?" Lily pressed further.

"Mostly stuck to myself"

"Are you lying?" Lily raised an eyebrow.

"No" Guinevere shook her head, she hated lying to her best friend.

"But um something happened after." Guinevere faltered.

"What?" Lily looked concerned.

Guinevere paused, finding the right words.

"I left"

"You what?" Lily grabbed her hand.

"I left, I ran" Guinevere cracked.

"When?"

"My birthday" Guinevere looked up at Lily.

"Where did you go?" Lily whispered.

"The Leaky Cauldron" Guinevere sat up.

"You can stay with my family Gwen, you are always welcome" Lily looked at Guinevere with sympathy.

Guinevere quickly withdrew,"I can find a place, I don't want to burden your family."

"Don't be silly-"

"I said I'll find a place Lil" Guinevere insisted.

Guinevere pulled back and sniffed,"Let's change the topic, how was your Christmas?"

Lily looked at the girl, not quite done with the conversation. But played along and changed the topic.

"Great, lots of wonderful gifts" Lily smiled," My Mum got me a camera!"

Guinevere nodded, glad that she had enjoyed her Christmas.

"Smile!" Lily grabbed her camera and a flash made Guinevere blink.

"So James send you anything?" Guinevere asked as Lily wrote on the small photo of Guinevere 'Gwen on the train to Hogwarts after Christmas'

"Would it be Christmas if he didn't?" Lily sighed,"This year was a little different though."

Guinevere looked surprised at the lack of complaining.

"He sent me a muggle book, Cinderella" Lily half smiled.

"That's certainly different that your typical framed picture of him" Guinevere laughed.

"Very much so, it must have been hard to find" Lily sighed.

"Is Lily Evan finally noticing James Potter?" Guinevere raised an eyebrow.

"No, he's just... just maturing that's all"

Guinevere held back a smile as her best friend looked out the window.

"Im going to the prefect compartment" Lily stood up,"See you in the dorm"

Guinevere waved and went back to gazing out the window. The snow that was once falling  around the train, was now melting signaling the end of the holiday season. Guinevere's sixth year was continuing.