Whither Thou Goest

10- Christmas Magic

ANNA'S POV

"Wake up, Anna, it's Christmas!" Remus said gently, shaking her awake.

"Huh? Oh! Good morning, Rems, Merry Christmas," she said sitting up and planting a kiss on his cheek.

He carried her out of bed to their 'common room', where they had set up a tree a month before. There were a few number of presents under the tree, largely due to the fact that there were a few people left that they held close.

"Should we go to breakfast first or open presents?" Remus inquired, eyeing the pile.

"Presents," Anna said promptly. "I've got to give stuff to Neville and Harry. And, well, I'd thought I'd go try and talk to Snape," she said rather hesitantly.

He raised an eyebrow, but made no further comment. 

Anna excused herself to change. Christmas was her favorite holiday. It was a time to make amends and peace with others. For her, Christmas was a time when everyone should try to at least get along. Her stomach tightened at the fact that Sirius and Regulus were spending Christmas in the Forbidden Forest. She silently promised to visit them later.

She came down dressed in a red Christmas sweater with several green snakes on them forming a wreath, jeans, and brown boots. However ugly the sweater was, it was a gift from Narcissa several years ago.

Remus had already separated the presents into two piles. "There's one with no name on it," he informed.

"Huh... well, I'll open it last," she replied.

They took turns opening their few presents, cherishing them dearly.

Remus received Honeydukes chocolate and three books from Anna, another from the Lovegoods (he had been good friends with Luna's mother) and oddly enough, a pair of thick, woolen socks from Dumbledore.

"Huh," he'd remarked. 

"Nice," Anna snickered.

"Your turn," Remus said, tossing her a package.

She threw her hands up to catch it, but it landed several feet away from her. 

When unwrapped, a green scarf with silver stars was revealed. 

Anna checked the card. Narcissa. What was it with Narcissa and winter clothes?

After going through them all, she was left with a box of Sugar Quills, a card from Snape ("Merry Christtmas, Potter"), and four books from Remus. One of which was- 

"Jane Eyre?" she said incredulously, turning the worn, loved pages. "Back the thestral up- this is my copy I misplaced in my sixth year!" she exclaimed. "How in Idris did you find it?"

"The Wishing Room," he said softly, knowing full well what the book meant to her. To them.

"What was it doing in there?"

"Your brother," he responded sadly. 

Anna stood up. "Breakfast."

Remus said," Wait, there's another you forgot about."

It was the one with no name. With shaking hands, she opened it, having an inkling as to who it was from. A letter and small pouch fell out of the wooden box.

She opened the letter first.

My Dearest Annalise,

Merry Christmas. I am so close to you, yet so far away. Sirius and I are working on it- we plan to retrieve the traitor before the year's end. Then we can finally be together, again at last, without fear of Azkaban.