9:23pm 25th December 1971 – Potter Mansion

James didn't quite feel the first of his tears run its steady path down his cheek. He was too numb. Too shocked by the news to even begin to understand it or his emotions. A heavy silence swamped the room as each guest, still donned in festive attire, sat still. More salty water brimmed over James' eye lashes, trickling under the frames of his glasses to land heavily onto the wooden table. The table was still laden with a vibrant, happy Christmas dinner. The joyful festivities were now brazenly out of place, serving only as a cold reminder of what a happy and warm Christmas it was meant to have been.

9:23am 25th December 1971 – Potter Mansion

'Marlene!' James shouted gleefully as he ran down a flight of marble stairs. They were covered in a sharp and vivid array of Christmas decorations. 'Marlene, are you up yet? It's Christmas – you're not allowed to be lazy!'

'I'm sorry, who are you accusing of being lazy?' Marlene said dryly as James turned into the main living area where Marlene sat under a great Christmas tree, surrounded by copious presents, each wrapped delicately in the finest array of wrapping-paper.

'Did you start without me?' James said sharply, looking immediately for the telltale signs of ripped paper.

'No,' said Marlene plainly, throwing James a present. 'But I wanted to,' she added, shooting James a wicked grin. 'Ok, so your mum said we can open our presents from Farther Christmas now, but we should wait to open all the others.'

James let out a groan, casting a wistful stare at the presents under the tree he knew he was not yet allowed to touch. 'What about the presents we're giving to each other?' he asked suddenly, a hopeful tone entering his voice, 'We're always allowed to open those first.'

'Yes, but not this year.'

James frowned. 'Why-'

'Because our friends are coming and we've got gifts for them too and it's nicer to open them altogether,' Marlene said, repeating almost word for word the answer that James' Mother had repeatedly given him. 'Understand?'

'Understood. When are they coming again?'

It was Marlene's turn to let out an exasperated groan. 'Merlin James, do you have a brain inside that overly inflated head of yours?'

'Yes,' James said indignantly, 'when are they coming?'

'From 3 to 5 pm.'

'Thank you for finally answering the question.'

'You're welcome.'

'Who's coming again?'

'JAMES, for Merlin's sake!' Marlene shouted, causing James to start laughing.

'Shall we just open our presents?' he said lightly, greatly amused by the anger he had caused his cousin.

'Yes James, that's a wonderful idea.'

AN: So it's been a... while. Sorry. Basically life got a bit tough (not that tough though - don't go feeling sorry for me) so I kept delaying and delaying and delaying writing another chapter until I'd almost forgotten about it and fan-fiction altogether as my mind has been so filled with other things. I would just like to thank you for the continued support I have received in my absence, and apologise for not answering any private messages or reviews. I had time on my hands today for the first time in so, so long and thus decided to log in to have a look for a quick story to read. Instead I ended up reading all of your wonderful, inspiring and helpful reviews (which is actually quite egotistical of me, now that I think about it) and ended up wanting to continue this story. I wrote this very quickly so I apologise for its shortness and the poor quality (I will probably update it with a much better version within the next few weeks). So yeah, basically are you still interested? Like I said this is a poor, short chapter so I promise that if I continue the chapters will be much longer and of better quality (well, I can promise to try at least). So yeah, sorry again for leaving you for so long without any indication of when I was going to come back. I'm not going to be able to say when I'll find time to write the next chapter (although I hope to do it within the next week) and I can't promise you that I won't drop off the face of the planet again. I do however promise to try and make sure I always come back and that I will, hopefully, finish this story eventually (even if it takes until 2050 or something ridiculous).

So thank you, I'm sorry and goodbye x

~millie-mae

PS: does this chapter make any sense? I've just read it back and whilst I know what's going on, I'm not sure if anyone else will get it? Hmmm...

This chapter is dedicated to anyone who's stuck with me up until this point (so you basically :) well done you, you sexy thing you) because, let's face it, I don't deserve you wonderful (and sexy) people.