"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" Sang Yemi, skipping into the Great Hall.

"Shhh!" Tina said, but she was smiling. 

It was almost Christmas, and the Great Hall was coated in decorations. Shimmering snowflakes fell from the ceiling, evaporating just before they reached the students. All the students were wearing holiday hats, and Dumbledore was wearing reindeer antlers.

Kitty, who was wearing a striped elf hat, squinted at a girl down the table. "Brynn!" She called. The third year Hufflepuff looked up.

"Yeah?"

"What's with your hat?"

Brynn grinned sheepishly. "I couldn't find a holiday hat on short notice, so I tied a dreidel to my headband."

On the other side of the Great Hall, Sirius and his friends were making a scene. With James dressed in red and Sirius in pink, they stood on the tables singing "Jingle Bell Rock."

Kitty rolled her eyes. She had just returned from a long day of exams, and wasn't really feeling very festive.

"C'mon!" Yemi grabbed her hands and pulled her to her feet. "Aren't you excited! We're almost on break!"

"So excited," Kitty said dryly. Two weeks of Sirius and Wallaburga fighting. She was tired, annoyed, and, if she saw Carson Arlo again, then she was going to slap him.

Yemi rang the bell on Kitty's hat. "At least have some pudding."

Kitty relented and tried a bite. "Oh, that's good," she said.

Yemi grinned. "I know! C'mon, Kitty! This is the last time that we'll all see each other before break!" She pulled Kitty over to where Tina, Jack, and the twins sat. Rowen appeared to be asleep, and Yemi grinned. "Let's dress him up!" She whispered.

It was hard not to smile as Kitty, Yemi, and Aludra covered Rowen in tinsel and bows. He woke up just as Aludra tied the last bow in his hair, seemingly disoriented.

"What? Where am I? Oh, are we still at the feast?"

"Yep!" Yemi said happily. "You look lovely."

"I look- what? Why are there bows in my hair?"

"Let's go get some cookies!" Yemi suggested. Grinning broadly, she grabbed Rowen's chair and pushed him to the other side of the table. He protested weakly, but his smile said differently.

Kitty and Tina exchanged a look. "I'm so excited," Tina said happily.

"Me too," Kitty said, not sure if she was being truthful. "Hey, you have a letter!" She pointed to the table.

Tina raised her eyebrows. "That's weird. I wonder what about?"

"Well, open it." Tina did so, and her smile drooped.

"Oh."

"What? What is it?"

"My dad has some important business in America. They need me to stay here." Tina laughed weakly. "It's okay, I'll see them next break. I'm not really surprised, either."

"Come with me," Kitty said impulsively, knowing she would regret it. "If you can survive my mother, we'll have a great time."

Tina glanced up, hopeful but reserved. "You think she'd be okay with it?"

"Definitely," Kitty said. Then, she hesitated. "But, I have to warn you that my mother is pretty prejudiced. You can't tell her that I'm best friends with Yemi and Jack."

"I won't," Tina promised.

"I'm sure she'll be very nice to you. So will Regulus and Sirius."

Tina grabbed her hand to stop her rambling. "Then I'd love to come."

***

Despite Kitty's misgivings, Christmas was lovely.

"Welcome to our home!" Wallaburga boomed, shaking Tina's hand enthusiastically. "You must be Miss Kites!"

"Yes, ma'am," Tina said, pleasing Wallaburga. Even Kitty's father glanced up.

"Would you like some hot cider? Butterbeer? Come, Kreacher!"

"Butterbeer would be great," Tina said, and Kreacher happily scurried off. They sat by the fire, listening to the Weird Sisters. Regulus sat next to Tina on the couch, and they began to talk about OWLS and their interest in Transfiguration. After a time, even Sirius came down from his room. Wallaburga's smile tensed, but she said nothing.

Sirius sat next to Kitty and smiled at her. "Merry Christmas Eve, Kitty."

"Also the fifth day of Hanukkah," she pointed out. "Brynn sent a mini dreidel."

"Who's Brynn?" Wallaburga asked.

"She's a Slytherin in my year." Sirius lied before Kitty could reply. He lowered his voice. "I'm sorry about some of the Gryffindors and Slytherins bothering you. It's my fault."

"That's okay," Kitty said lightly. "They're not that bad. Maybe, though, you should work on not having everyone hate you."

Sirius made a face at her and she laughed. Then, he leaned in to ask, "How mad will Mother be if I start singing muggle Christmas carols?"

"She'll skin you alive!"

Sirius started warbling Jingle Bells, and the night ended with Wallaburga glaring at Sirius but refusing to say anything in front of Tina.

***

"For me?" Kitty asked.

"Yes, so hurry and open it," Regulus said impatiently, drumming his fingers on his legs.

It was a new cage for her owl. "Thank you very much." She said, hugging him. He smiled at her. "Now open mine for you."

He pulled off the wrapping to reveal the Slytherin sweater that Kitty had taken hours knitting, with the help of Aludra. Its hem was slightly lopsided, but, otherwise, Kitty thought that it had turned out well.

"Thanks, sis." His smile was genuine.

Wallaburga and Orion opened their gifts from their children. All three had gotten Orion different crossword puzzle books, but he looked genuinely thrilled. Kitty had knitted stockings and baked Wallaburga's favorite cranberry cookies. Regulus had bought a new clock to replace one that Sirius had broken.

They all held their breath as Wallaburga opened Sirius's gift.

"How nice," she said in surprise. Regulus audibly released his breath. It was a silver teapot: a strangely useful, normal item for Sirius.

Breakfast was a cheerful affair. Regulus and Tina wore the sweaters that Kitty had knitted them. Regulus smiled to himself and watched his new books. Even stern Wallaburga could be caught sneaking cookies under the table.

Tina squeezed Kitty's hand. "Thank you for inviting me."

"Thank you for coming!" Kitty said honestly. "This is the best Christmas yet!"

"I agree, it was lovely to have you here, Tina," Regulus said.

"And know that you are welcome any time." Even Wallaburga's heart had been melted.

As Kitty looked around the table, she earnestly wished that her family would behave like this more often. Fighting hurt everyone.

More than anything, she wished that she would never have to choose between Wallaburga and Sirius.