The Ice Queen [s.b.]

↠winter break, part two, 1.25

Falling Snow, Memories, and Smiles.

December 24th.

The day of Christmas eve, Annalee floos to the Potter's mansion alone. She appears in the hall outside the living room where Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter are engaged in a heated argument. Fleamont and Euphemia Potter are watching while sipping coffee from the couch.

"No!" Sirius yells suddenly, hand in the air. "I shan't succeed!"

"I don't think that word means what you think it means, Pads. Maybe you're think of secede?" Remus says lightly. "Anyways, you're wrong anyhow. I don't even like quidditch, but I still know that."

"But we won!" James exclaims. "And you lost, Sirius. Get a hold of yourself!"

A smile makes it's way onto Anna's face.

"Oh, but you didn't," Sirius says mischievously. "But you, however, did lose. Catching the snitch with your mouth just isn't allowed."

"And smacking it out of him and into your own hand does?" Fleamont challenges amusedly.

Anna walks into the room, bored of the discussion.

Sirius gasps exaggeratedly, "Princess! You can back me up!"

All eyes turn to her, and Fleamont and Euphemia narrow their eyes at the same time.

"Annie!" Remus exclaims, rushing over to hug her.

Peter waves shyly.

James smirks, "Hey, Anna."

Euphemia stands up. "Are you... Annalee Fawley?"

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you. And Sirius, dear, you're wrong," Anna says, shooting a quick look to Sirius before curtsying shortly. Sirius gapes.

"I have to warn you, we don't tolerate any sorts of dark magic in our house," Fleamont says cautiously.

"Not to worry," Anna bristles. "I've been disowned, so that's a nonstarter. Plus, dark magic kind of scares me."

Euphemia smiles warmly. "In that case, you're welcome here any time."

Annalee beams.

Sirius' mouth is still wide open.

"Close your mouth, Padfoot, you'll catch flies," Remus jokes, nudging Sirius.

"My own girlfriend!" Sirius exclaims in righteous indignation.

"Annalee, would you mind it if I spoke to you in the hallway?" Fleamont asks after Annalee rolls her eyes in annoyance at Sirius.

Anna nods brightly and the eldest of the male Potters guides her into the hallway.

Face stoic, Annalee asks, "How can I help you, Mr. Potter?"

He chuckles. "Please, call me Fleamont. But I wanted to know more about your current situation."

Anna's face hardens, not especially eager to discuss such a thing.

"I was set up in an arranged marriage in an effort to calm my supposed roguishness. I not-so-kindly refused the offer. Aubrey and Morenthius don't appreciate defiance. Thusly, I'm homeless. Dumbledore offered for me to join the Order and I wound up accepting under the terms that I'm working at Hogwarts. James, Sirius, Remus, Lily, Peter, and I started a dueling alliance that we call the D.A. It's not dangerous, it's mostly defense. Now, I'm living with the Evans' for the foreseeable future. And that's all there is to it, and I'd thank you to not make me live through it again," Annalee says patiently. 

Fleamont nods solemnly. "I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. No child should have to. I thank you for your service in the Order of the Phoenix."