Extraordinary

Winter is coming. And so is Christmas. Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake was finally frozen over and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. The few owls and the single bat that managed to fight their way through the treacherous stormy sky to deliver post were nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again.

While the common rooms and the Great Hall were nice and toasty due to their fireplaces, the corridors were icy cold and bitter, especially in the dungeons. Down in potions (where Em was finally let back in to see if she could behave), their breath rose in clouds before them and they kept as close as they could get to their cauldrons without setting themselves on fire.

"I do feel sorry," said Malfoy, one Potion class, "for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home."

He was looking at Harry as he spoke. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled. Em balled up a piece of parchment with the words 'shove off' written on it and threw it when Snape wasn't looking. It hit his head and he didn't say anything else for the rest of the lessons but he had become more sour than usual following the Quidditch match. He was disgusted that Slytherin had lost the match he tried to get people to laugh at his terrible 'wide-mouthed tree frog' joke. Em then had to aid him in realising that nobody found this funny, they were just shocked and impressed at the way Harry managed to stay on his bucking broom. He then went back to his usual routine in taunting Harry about his family.

It was a shame that Harry wasn't going home because Em would've loved to meet those relatives of his. The heads of houses went around the students making a list of who would be staying. From Slytherin, there were only a few because most were purebloods and would be going to the Malfoy's Christmas ball. Draco had invited Emeelia and she told him that she would think about it. Does she really want to go? It would only be her because Moony wouldn't be invited, right? Harry and all the Weasleys were staying for Christmas. Molly and Arthur were going to Romania to see Charlie.

When they left the dungeons at the end of Potions, there was a very large fir tree blocking the corridor. Two enormous boots sticking out at the bottom and a loud sigh only confirmed that Hagrid was carrying it.

"Hello, Hagrid, do you need some help with that?" said Em, peeking around the tree to look at him.

"Nah, I'm all right, thanks, 'Meelia."

"We can help if you want, Hagrid," offered Ron.

"Would you mind moving out of the way?" came Malfoy's drawl from behind them. "Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose - that hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to."

Ron dived for Malfoy just as Snape came up the stairs.

"Ron, please," said Em half-heartedly, forcefully pushing Malfoy down with one hand and pulling Ron off of him with the other. She had an arm around him when...

"WEASLEY! LUPIN!"

Ron let go of the front of Malfoy's robes.

"He was provoked, Professor Snape," said Hagrid, sticking his large bearded face out from behind the tree. "Malfoy was insultin' his family. An' 'Meelia was-"

"Be that as it may, fighting is against Hogwarts rules, Hagrid," said Snape silkily. "Five points from Gryffindor, Weasley, be grateful it isn't more. Lupin, you were let back into my lesson to see if you could behave, it seems as though you are violent as well as disrespectful. You will no longer attend my lessons. Move along, all of you."

Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle pushed roughly past the tree, purposefully making a mess by scattering the needles everywhere. Malfoy made a point of glaring at Hermione on his way past.

"I'll get him," said Ron, grinding his teeth at Malfoy's back, "one of these days, I'll get him -"

"I hate them both," said Harry, "Malfoy and Snape."

"Cheer up," Em said, half-smiling at them while straightening out her robes. She was saying this to herself as much as she was them.

"It's nearly Christmas," finished Hagrid. "Tell yeh what, come with me an' see the Great Hall, looks a treat."

So the four followed Hagrid and his tree great tree that was dropping needles in a trail off to the Great Hall, where Professor McGonagall and Flitwick were busy putting up the trimmings.

"Ah, Hagrid, the last tree - put it in the far corner, would you?"

The Hall looked magnificent. Boughs of holly and mistletoe, that most students were avidly avoiding, hung all around the room with twelve towering Christmas trees stood along the walls. Some were twinkling with the light reflecting from the baubles and real icicles hanging from their branches.

"How many days you got left until yer holidays?" Hagrid asked.

"Just one," said Hermione. "And that reminds me - Harry, Ron, Emeelia, we've got half an hour before lunch, we should be in the library."

"Oh yeah, you're right," said Ron, tearing his eyes away from Professor Flitwick, who had golden baubles blossoming out of the tip of his wand and was putting them on the branches of the new tree.

"The library?" said Hagrid as he followed them out of the Hall. "Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?"

"Oh, we're not working," Harry told him brightly. Em made a 'shut up' motion with her hand across her neck. He looked but continued, "Ever since you mentioned Nicolas Flamel we've been trying to find out who he is."

"You what?" Hagrid looked shocked. Em let out a defeated sigh. "Listen here - I've told yeh - drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'."

"We only want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, Hagrid, couldn't you tell us the one little thing?" Em pleaded.

"Just save us the trouble, Hagrid," Harry added. "We must've been through hundreds of books already and we can't find him anywhere - just give us a hint - I know I've read his name somewhere."

"I'm sayin' nothin'," puffed Hagrid flatly.

"Just have to find out for ourselves, then," said Ron, and there they left Hagrid looking disgruntled and hurried off to the library.

Em had a feeling they wouldn't find him in a school book but she helped them search through almost half the library at this point. They had been sifting through, looking for any mention of Flamel since Hagrid had let it slip, because how else would they find out what had Snape mad enough to try and fail to get past a Cerberus. The problem was, none of them knew what section to look in. They had no clue what he would've done to merit being written about. He wasn't in Great Wizards of the Twentieth Century, or Notable Magical Names of Our Time; he was missing, too, from Important Modern Magical Discoveries which Em found quite interesting. The sheer size of the library was enough to put them off their search but Harry didn't falter so the others didn't either. They had only been through a hundred or so books and there were at least ten thousand books so all hope wasn't lost for the information is most definitely there. However, finding it was a different matter entirely.

Hermione had compiled a list of subjects and books that she had decided to check even though Em was sure they'd already been through half the books on that list. Ron was haphazardly pulling books from shelves left right and center and setting them down on their table to flip through. Em saw out of the corner of her eye that Harry was near the restricted section, they seemed to be thinking the same thing, do you reckon he's somewhere in there? Em wandered over to him and was flicking her eyes over the shelves. If you don't want people to read them without referral why not keep them somewhere else? Em turned to Harry who looked to be lost in thought.

"Do you think I could get a referral from McGonagall?" she asked jokingly.

He hummed in acknowledgement.Wonder what's got him lost? She looked back to the books and saw a familiar looking title: 'Legilimency and Occlumency for the open Minded'. Wait. It's banned? But it was being sold in Flourish and Blotts... Other titles were all connected to Dark Arts and looked like they wouldn't belong in a school. Again. If you don't want people reading them why have them?

She barely registered Madam Pince angrily whispering at them.

"What are you looking for?"

"Nothing," said Harry.

"I was wondering about a book Madam Pince."

She shooed Harry away with her faded feather duster before turning back to Em.

"Which book, dear. I do hope it's not in there."

"It is but I remember..." Em paused. Should she say that they bought the book? "... seeing it in Flourish and Blotts."

"And, which book would this be?"

"'Legilimency and Occlumency for the Open Minded'. Why would it be in there miss?"

"There have been a... few students who have become terribly good at the subject and it never ended well."

Em was very close to just asking Pince then and there about Flamel even though the four friends had agreed it was too risky. So she said was going to look for a book for transfiguration as an excuse to stay in the library. She did end up wandering down the Transfiguration section her mind still on the book she had seen in the restricted section. I wonder who had it last? she thought as she ran her hand along the spines of old dusty books. She stopped in her tracks when she felt there was a gap in the books. Slipping her hand between them, thinking someone had pushed a book to the back of the shelf, she reached for a book. She pulled one out that looked like it had been behind there for years. It was covered in a thick layer of dust and only just holding onto its hardback cover. After blowing the dust off of it and coughing her lungs out for five minutes, Em could read it's faded title: 'True Animagus Form'. Interesting. Wonder why it was stashed back there? Was someone going to come back for it? She put it in her arms and grabbed a few more to look for Flamel in.

She arrived back at the table and put the Animagus book in her bag. When Ron and Hermione came back with arms full of books they all sat silently hunting for a mention of Flamel. They only did this for five minutes or so before Ron gave out an exasperated sigh.

"Can we go to lunch yet, Hermione?"

"Alright, I'm hungry too."

"Not just hungry Hermione, try frustrated, bored, and starving," said Em lightly.

The three then packed up their books and put them on the trolley for Pince to put away later. They joined Harry in the corridor outside. The four went off to lunch.

"You will keep looking while we're away, won't you?" said Hermione. "And send us an owl if you find anything."

"And you could ask your parents if they know who Flamel is," said Ron. "It'd be safe to ask them."

"Very safe, as they're both dentists," said Hermione.

Em and Hermione shared a compartment on the train back. Neville had then joined them a few minutes after and they talked about something or other for the whole journey. I forget really.

Em exited the train, a large smile appearing on her face when she saw Remus. She ran towards him, her bags bouncing and making quite a lot of racket due to its contents not being held in place.

"Remus!" she was absolutely delighted to see him, she had never been away from home for longer than three days.

"Hello, Emeelia- umph," he said, the wind getting knocked out of him at the force of the hug.

"I missed you!"

"I can tell," he said amusedly.

He offered the crook of his elbow like a gentleman which she took tightly. She squeezed her eyes shut as they apparated back to the cottage. Her grip loosened when she opened her eyes, she was glad to be home. As much she loved Hogwarts it could never be the same as home.

She dragged Remus along to the door so he could unlock it. She stood, with her arms crossed, by Remus while he unlocked the door. She needed to breathe the scent of the cottage again, to sit in her bedroom again. Her dorm at Hogwarts wasn't a nice place to sit at all. The girls in her dorm were unbearable, with their centimeter thick makeup and obnoxious insults. Yeah, I'm not a pureblood but if being one meant being like you then no thanks. Ugh. Despite how much she hated them, she was considering going to the ball that Malfoy invited her to. It would mean she could possibly earn the favour of one of the most powerful pureblooded families of the time and maybe get Malfoy to lay off her friends. That's a bonus.

Remus finally got the door open, he was purposefully going slow to annoy Em. She pushed him inside the house and stomped her boots on the ground to shake the snow off. She unwrapped her Slytherin scarf from around her neck and pushed it down her coat sleeve for easy access when needs be. After hanging up her coat she rushed to light the fireplace and warm up.

"Remus where are the ma-. Thanks..." she was going to ask for matches but when you've got someone who can legally use magic what's the point.

She sat cross-legged in front of the fire, staring directly into it, seemingly mesmerised. She had her hands almost touching the flames, they got close every so often, trying to lick at her hands, trying to burn them. They never got close enough though. She snapped her head up from the fire and, like clockwork, went to the bookshelf. She skimmed her eyes over the spines looking for any title, or author, that might allude to something to do with Flamel. Her eyes explored the shelf for a while until she saw the book that she had bought back in Flourish and Blotts. She put that to the back of her mind and went back to looking at the shelf.

"What're you looking for, Em?" Remus said from his spot in the kitchen, leaning on the worktop.

"Do you know anything about Nicolas Flamel?"

"He sounds...familiar. I don't know anything specific though. Why?"

She stared blankly at the books. Can I tell him? Of course I can, It's Moony.

"There's something at school. Something that's being protected that we shouldn't technically know anything about but it's got something to do with Flamel and wethinkSnape'stryingtostealit," she blurted out.

"Slow down," he said gently, a small smile appearing on his face. "Try the last part again. There's something being protected at school and?"

"And we think Snape's trying to steal it."

He set his mug down on the coffee table and came to stand next to her.

"Why would you think that?"

"The creature that's guarding it bit him. And he's a git."

"A git, is he? What did he do to make you think that?" he chuckled.

"He hates me and Harry! What did we ever do? You should hear how he says our names!"

"Calm down-"

"I've heard from people that he bullies Neville!"

"Em, please-"

"He isn't letting me attend lessons anymore! I have to-"

"What?"

"He told me I can't go to his lessons. I mean, sure I called him Snivellus-"

Remus picked up his wand and went to the front door, pulling on his coat.

"Remus what're you- No, please. Don't go over there."

"He's disrupting your education and bullying students."

"Remus-"

Just like that, he was gone. She knew she couldn't follow him. She knew she shouldn't have told him. She had resigned herself to having potions lessons from whoever could give them to her whenever and was kind of happy that she didn't have lessons with the slimy twat. Now, if Remus could resolve it, she'd be having lessons with a bully that hates her guts instead of genuinely nice teachers.

She took the time in the house alone to turn her record player to max volume and practice her Freddy Mercury impression. She had the record playing while she unpacked her things from school. She was almost finished when she pulled out the tattered Animagus book. She put the last of her clothes away before heading back downstairs to sit by the fire, 'I want to Break Free' playing loudly in the background. She sat in her spot on the rug placing the book in her lap. Upon opening it to the first page she discovered that this book was not a library book at all, or at least it might've been but it had been scribbled all over and claimed by students. By 'claimed by students' I mean one student. This particular student happened to be Sirius Black.

He had written his name on the inside cover and the first page. He had doodled all over the pages and it looked like he had dropped it into the Black Lake more than once. He had made notes on certain paragraphs or bullet points giving tips or criticism. On the final page was an inky pawprint and an inky hoofprint. This was obviously Sirius and James' way of showing off, even though no one else would probably read the book. Em chuckled at the conversations in page corners that had been made in the middle of class according to the conversation.

She read through the introductory paragraph and found the book was all about becoming an animagus. Sounds fun, maybe I could get Minnie to help me. That's probably not a good idea. She laid down with the book in front of her face until the crack of apparation was heard in the doorway. She quickly hid the book on the bookshelf as Moony came round into the living room.

"Snape has agreed to teach you again if you pass a test first. I wish I could've done better but that's the best you'll get, sweetheart. I talked to Dumbledore about how he treats Neville and he said he would sort it out. I do hope he does..."

Em only nods halfheartedly and looks at the bookshelf. She pulls out three books from the shelf to look for Flamel in. She can't let Hermione down because she knows the boys won't bother. She ended up falling asleep with her face in a book.

The holidays were upon them and Em was bouncing on the balls of her feet in the kitchen on Christmas Eve. A tradition the two had was always to prepare the Christmas dinner together and of course, certain things need to be done the day before. They were, at the moment, making the gravy, stuffing and peeling vegetables for the following day. There would only be the two of them as there was most every year. There were the few years that they joined the Weasley clan for Christmas which were...hectic to say the least.

Another tradition they had was to open one present on Christmas Eve. It had to be one that the other picked from under the tree so it was usually just something small like legos or a book. Yes, they did get muggle things, Em had quite the collection of muggle toys and books including a large box full of legos and a bookshelf in her room full of comic books. This year Remus handed her a small present from the pile under the tree that was very soft and squishy, when she had ripped it open a Dalmatian teddy stretched out from the confines of the paper.

"This can be Spotty's wife!" she exclaimed. Em had always loved Dalmatians and dogs in general. She had been given a Dalmatian teddy for her second birthday that was near and dear to her heart. It was called Spotty and by now his eye's had rubbed off (they were white spots on a black plastic) and had to be reapplied every now and again. She loved him to bits. He was more grey than white at this point and went with her everywhere. He smelled like home and this was why she hugged him to make her feel better. She would be distraught if she were to ever lose him.

She picked out a present for Remus from the pile that had mostly come from herself. It was a small rigid rectangular present wrapped in green, red and gold paper. Remus neatly undid the sellotape (they wrap everything non-magically because there's more work and heart in it) and pulled off the paper as if he were going to use it later. It revealed itself to be a picture of last Christmas. Em was making snow angels in the snow next to Remus, they scooted closer together and it looked sweet for a second, then Em smothered his face with snow.

"Thank you, darling. I love it," he said animatedly, getting up from his spot next to her. He pulled out his wand and magically stuck it to the wall. They have a wall that is just for pictures. Pictures of their little family, before and after. Em had a habit of always getting him a minimum of one picture for the wall every Christmas.

He stepped back to look at the wall and then glanced at the clock.

"Come on Little Moon."

She ran to get her coat and handed Remus his. She took the scarf from her sleeve and wrapped it around her neck. They put on their shoes and Remus pulled her hat down over her ears, scruffing up her hair with it. He grabbed her hand and apparated the two to Godric's Hollow.

The moonlight shone on the freshly fallen, and falling snow. It looked beautifully eery. The dead trees also glistening in the light. No one else was sparing a thought for the ones that weren't there for Christmas Eve this year. No one seemed to care at this time of year even though they should more than ever. The chilly wind caused the snow to swirl around the two and making the girl's scarf whip around her shivering form. Even with her coat on the cold was biting at her.

Emeelia stepped towards the grave of her godmother and her husband. She dared to pull her scarf down to allow her words to be heard.

"Merry Christmas, James and Lily. From me, Remus, Sirius and Harry. Do you want to know about him? He looks just like you James and he acts like you too. He has your eyes, Lily, they're brilliantly green. He's a Gryffindor like you two, I'm a Slytherin. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville are my best friends. I couldn't ask for better. Also, Lily? How the hell were you able to be friends with Snape. He's a right- a right git. I was happy not doing potions with him but now Moony made him allow me to do potions with him and I just- ugh. I don't want to. I wish you could be here to teach me potions Lily, that'd be way better," she chatted.

She was leaning against the fence because she didn't want to sit in the snow, chatting away to no one. Remus watched sadly, as he does everytime they come here. She just talked, using her arms to explain things and to tell stories. It was like her own personal sign language.

"I'm going to this ball tomorrow at Malfoy Manor, I know James, I shouldn't go but if I become friends with Draco then maybe he'll leave my friends alone?"

She had decided to go because there were a lot of pros that outweigh the cons. Draco told her in a letter that his mother was dying to meet her and to not bring her own dress because his mother would give her one. Sounds fun.

"I've got to go. Sorry. I love you and Merry Christmas!" she finished finally turning back to look at Remus. He created the flower wreath and grabbed Em's hand. She squeezed it tightly and clung to him as they apparated home.

Once back home, they stomped their feet on the welcome mat and put their boots in front of the radiator by the front door to dry. They hung up their coats and put their hats in the coat pockets. Em climbed the stairs (on all fours for maximum speed) and changed into her Christmas pyjamas. They had a reindeer with a red flashing nose on them with red and white striped legging bottoms. She had never called a reindeer with a red nose Rudolph, no. Rudolph to her was Prongsie the red nosed reindeer. She also had Dalmatian slippers and a very fluffy Dalmatian dressing gown that she loved. It was missing a pocket and had a few holes but she would always keep it.

She carefully ran back down the stairs, jumping the last three in excitement. She went straight to the kitchen where she pulled out the specific plate they use every year for Father Christmas. It was painted on by a younger Em. It had a red border and outlined areas and labels for what to put where. She grabbed a large carrot and placed it on the plate, slightly to the left of the middle. She filled a glass with milk and put that right in the center of the plate. She then grabbed a mince pie which her and Remus had made together earlier that day. The mince pie was then placed on the right side of the glass. She pushed the plate to the edge of the table and then grabbed a small draw-string pouch and key from the worktop.

She went to the front door, unlocked it with their key and looped the red ribbon of the large, old looking key around the outside handle of the door. This was Father Christmas' key so he can get in and out if he can't get through the chimney. Em closed the door, shivering from the breeze outside and wrapping her dressing gown tighter around herself. She went into the living room and when she saw the fire was already out, went straight to the back door where Remus was waiting. She opened the pouch and walked out onto the snowy garden. With a wave of her arm, the contents of the bag were sprinkled around the place making it glitter even more. That was reindeer food and dust. It was to guide them to their house and feed them while their presents were being dropped off.

The final tradition of the night was the best in Em's opinion. She went back inside and grabbed the book from the shelf. The Book. Remus followed her upstairs into her room. Emeelia handed him the book and climbed into bed. He sat on the edge of her bed and opened the book.

"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse," he read, Em mouthing along with him.

Every Christmas Eve Remus would read this book to her. It had to be this specific book. You can't just recite it from memory or use a different version of the book. It had to be the one that they've always used or it wasn't right. The sparkle never left her eye when he read the book, even after years of hearing it, she would always love it. When he finished she would always 'aww' in disappointment because she doesn't want to go to sleep, and it was no different this time.

"Awww. Do I have to go to sleep now, Remus?"

"Yes, sweetheart," he said tucking her in. He kissed her on the head, "Love you tons, goodnight, God bless, my little Star."

He used the...

"Love you, night night, God bless, Moony."