It was finally Christmas break and Aerith and Zack were all for it. They found learning about magic fun but they were eager to get back to Gaia. The Marauders In Training sessions were going swell and the pranks set against Umbridge were multiplying. This was perfect as it made it harder for the pink toad and her Inquisitorial Squad to pin down who was pulling the pranks and where they were having their now technically illegal club. The duo were also glad to get out of Albus's ever-watching gaze. During the sessions they had had, Zack was swiftly becoming a master of dueling since combat was natural to him. For Aerith, the more defensive spells such as Protego and Episkey were her forte and she had also achieved her animagus form. Outside of class and Marauders In Training, the two with the help of their friends had been searching for ways to reverse the original spell. As to not raise suspicion, a different person would grab books in that area of magic while the rest of the group would grab books to help with their classes.

Currently, Zack and Aerith sat across from Luna and the Weasley twins. The younger Ravenclaw was giggling slightly as she was squished between the twins who, of course, were totally not intentionally squishing Luna. The five had grown close over the past few months with the researching, pranking, learning and just hanging out in general. They also had become the best prankers since the Marauders, and were almost on the same level as them. Zack was avidly telling Aerith and Luna the last minute prank he and the twins had pulled, causing Umbridge's office to turn into the perfect home to some salamanders. Nothing of the horrid shade of pink had survived when the prank was finished being set up.

"How did you even get away with that?" Aerith asks, her bright green eyes widening.

"Well, George and I set off some fire works down the hall from her usual patrol. That got her attention and then we booked it through a secret passage and got to her office," Fred grins.

"Mhm! I arrived shortly after with a few salamanders, taking secret passages to avoid prefects and the Inquisitorial Squad. That Flame-Freezing charm was super handy for carrying those salamanders," Zack adds on.

"And surprisingly, Umbitch's office was left unsecured - no guards or traps! So Fred and I then whip out one of our newest creations - the portable fire pit! Turn any area into a fire pit! Perfect for salamanders and s'mores!" George says.

"After the fire pit was all set, I set the salamanders down and we left to join up with you two!" Zack grins.

"So that's where you three were. How lovely of a prank," Luna says, her ever dreamy smile on her face.

"Reno would love to hear about that prank," Aerith comments.

"Yeah, he would. I can't wait to introduce you two to him!" Zack grins, the twins returning the grin.

"We can't wait to meet a fellow redheaded prankster!" Fred says, George nodding in agreement. They continued to chat as the train got closer and closer to King's Cross Station. A thought pops into Aerith's head and she looks at the other female in the compartment.

"Luna dear, would you like to come visit us over break?" Aerith asks. Luna smiles widely.

"I would love to! Though I'm afraid I know not where you will be," Luna says, a slight pout on her lips.

"12 Grimmauld Place! Just send us an owl so I can ask Padfoot to open up the Floo to you now that you know where we are," Zack says happily. He knew Luna was trustworthy and wouldn't reveal the location to anyone without his or Aerith's permission.

"Of course. I would have done so anyways," Luna says, kicking her feet gently.

"We'll be there too so you won't catch Ginny by the Burrow this year," George says to Luna. He and Fred knew that the two were good friends. Soon enough, the train finally arrived and Luna parted ways from the twins, Zack and Aerith. Zack spots Remus and Sirius and he jogs over to them, grinning widely. Aerith was smiling and right behind Zack.

"Pup! Cottontail!" Sirius grins as he opens his arms up. Zack and Aerith hug Sirius and then they hug Remus.

"It's been soooooo long. I thought we would never see you again!" Zack dramatically says, causing Aerith to giggle, Remus to chuckle and Sirius to snicker.

"I know. It's been a little over a week since we last saw you. Such a long time," Remus says, playing along.

"Alright! Let's go!" Zack says. "Oh! Also, we invited Luna over to visit at some point."

"That was that fourth year Ravenclaw girl, right? She's quite lovely and quite the caster," Sirius says.

"Not that I'm supposed to have favorites... But she was my favorite in Ravenclaw," Remus says.

"Very naughty Moony!" Fred says, popping up.

"Very naughty indeed! I think we should deduct some Marauder points from him! Don't you agree Fred?" George grins.

"Why yes I do! Twenty Marauder points from one Moony!" Fred grins. Zack snickers.

"Tut tut Moony! I thought you were the one that never caught?" Aerith giggles.

"You're slacking Moony!" Sirius smirks. Remus rolls his eyes good-naturedly.

"Well let's get going then, shall we?" Remus says, producing a rather long sock. Sirius, Zack, Aerith, Fred and George touch it and Remus activates it, the sensation of getting pulled behind the navel notifying them that the portkey worked. Zack had mastered landing perfectly and didn't stumble or fall. Sirius and Remus also didn't stumble or fall as they landed outside 12 Grimmauld Place. Aerith stumbled and reached out to grab Zack's shoulder to steady herself. Both of the twins stumble and decide to "accidentally" fall into each other and land on their butts. Aerith giggles and helps George up while Zack helps Fred up. The students then follow Remus and Sirius into the building where the other Weasleys already were, Molly lightly scolding Fred and George for just disappearing on her.

"Alright, let's eat shall we? First Christmas break meal! All comfy and cozy at the table!" Sirius grins.

"And Molly kindly prepared the food for us," Remus smiles. Zack grins.

"Woo! I love Molly's cooking! Thanks Molly!" Zack says.

"You're welcome dear," Molly smiles. It warmed her heart to hear compliments as such. She then bustles into the kitchen to start sending out the different dishes of food into the dining room, the table already elongated and set for dinner. Zack, Aerith, Fred, George, Sirius and Remus all take their seats and Molly joins last once the food was all out. As soon as she sits, everyone makes a plate and digs in. Happy laughter and conversation bounces around the table as the Hogwarts students relaxed from being out of the pink toad's reach.