After an argument that was obviously won by Sophia, the Christmas tree was decorated with lights, tinsel and ornaments. It was now only the star to be put on top. Fred pulled out a rather un-star like shape out of the box of ornaments and held it out for Sophia to take.

"What's that?" she questioned as she eyed the misshapen gold star.

"It's the star."

"That is not a star," she shook her head bemusedly. "That's a garden gnome from outside spray painted gold."

"It's as good as," Fred rolled his eyes and shoved the frozen gnome into Sophia's hands. He then crouched down and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her up with ease to be the same height of the Christmas tree. Sophia squealed at first and put her hands on Fred's shoulders to balance herself, only to have Fred gesture his head towards the top of the tree where the star should be placed. Sophia did what she was told and balanced the gold gnome on the top branch.

"Ah beautiful," Fred joked as he settled her back on the ground but kept an arm around her waist. The two stared up at the Christmas tree that was covered in silver tinsel and red baubles. The two tried their best to keep their laughs in from the gnome that stood on top but failed when Sophia let out the first giggle. Bill and Fleur stood in the doorway watching the two laugh continuously at the tree. It may have been an odd sight for others, but to them it was heartwarming. Seeing Sophia be so happy after so long would bring anyone a sense of warmness and joy when they knew about her past.

"There is a saying in France that reminds me a lot of those two," Fleur quietly spoke, leaning her head on Bill's shoulder. "Avoir elle est avior les estoiles."

"And what does that mean?"

"It means to 'ave her is to 'ave the stars."

The exchanging of presents on Christmas day was different every year for the Weasleys. Sophia didn't have anything to give but she still received a present from every single person in the room. She had even been given some presents from the people she had seen come and go from The Burrow, presumably members of the Order. She was grateful and overwhelmed by all the gifts and felt awful to have nothing to give in return. Sophia had already opened the light blue scarf from Fred and George as well as the jumper made by Molly. She vowed to wear it frequently as she had only been wearing Fred's clothes recently. She had her own clothes that sat in her trunk, but there was something about wearing Fred's big t-shirts and jumpers that he had left in the wardrobe in his and George's room. They relaxed her and made her feel like Fred was nearby even when he wasn't.

She had been given an odd shaped box that was wrapped in dark green wrapping paper and label stating 'from Dad', to which she put aside momentarily to open in private.

"What is this?" Ron asked as he opened his present from Fred and George, seeing a red coloured book with the title 'Twelve Fail Safe Ways to Charm Witches'.

"Forgotten how to read have you?" George teased. "You obviously need help Ronnie-kins. Trust us on this, it's Fred and I's holy grail."

"When have you two ever referred to this and have it turn out successfully?" Hermione shot a raised eyebrow and a disapproving look at the twins.

"Loads of times," Fred answered with his arm swung around Sophia's shoulder. "I'd say the best was the makeup cleaning spell I used in sixth year."

"I remember that..." Sophia thoughtfully admitted. "My face had never felt so clean."

Fred winked at Ron and Hermione from over the top of the girl's head before placing a kiss against the side of her head. He snuggled the scarf that he had bought her around her neck tighter and caught sight of the gold chain and pendent that sat under the material. He saw the three distinctive stars that varied between the colours red, orange and blue.

"You're still wearing it..." Fred mindlessly started at the necklace. Sophia followed his gaze and loosened the blue scarf to fully see the three colourful stars.

"Oh yeah, I never take it off," Sophia smiled and Fred returned it brightly. Even after the hell she had gone through, she still was able to keep his past Christmas present safe and cherished. His heart swelled at the thought and used his free hand to turn her cheek to face him, allowing him to softly peck her lips lovingly. Sophia beamed back at Fred and cuddled into his side, Molly holding back a wide smile at the sight of the two from her place in the armchair next to the fireplace.

The woman's attention was taken from one of her sons' to her oldest who had stood up from his place on the sofa and began to kneel in front of Fleur, who pulled her hands up to her mouth in shock.

"Oh my!" Molly exclaimed as Bill held up a small velvet box to his girlfriend, looking slightly anxious and nervous to be the centre of attention.

"Fleur, my love, will you do me the honour... of marrying you?" Bill asked and Fleur immediately jumped into his arms.

"Of course!, Oh yes Bill, I will!" Fleur's French accent was barely noticeable in her particular words. She kissed Bill passionately as the family jumped up in excitement, applauding and congratulating the newly engaged couple. Hermione embraced Fleur while Bill was pulled away by Fred and George to indulge in some brotherly teasing.

"William's got a wifey!" George teased as he poked his wand into Bill's side playfully.

"We're your best men right?" Fred made sure but then looked offended when Bill shook his head with a face of disgust.

While the family was distracted, Sophia brought back out the rectangular box that had been gifted to her by her father. She pulled open the wrapping and came to a plain black box, peaking her curiosity even more. She glanced up at the family that was starting to pack up all their rubbish and presents, before picking up the small piece of parchment that had slipped on to her lap from the wrapping.

'I thought it was time to give this back to you – Love, Dad'

Sophia pulled open the box and her eyes widened at the familiar piece of wood that sat inside. She picked up the wand as if she had never parted with it and beamed at the flower engravings that lead up from the handle before dispersing into smooth brown wood. Sophia clearly remembered losing hold of her wand when she was first captured but then had completely forgotten about its existence since then. It was only now that she was reminded of it and it filled her with happiness to finally have it back in her possession.

---

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had gone back to Hogwarts after the New Year had started. Sophia did feel a sudden urge to go with them to where she could finish her Wizarding education, but it had been insisted by the Order that she should remain 'Missing' to the Ministry of Magic for her safety. They also weren't sure if she could even perform any magic that would allow her to continue her time at Hogwarts. It was true that she hadn't attempted to do any magic since she had been given her wand back, but that didn't mean she didn't want to.

Sophia sat on the sofa in the living room with George the Pygmy Puff chirping in front of her on the cushions. She scratched lightly at the puff's head with a bored expression, her only entertainment being the pink fluff in front of her. She could only help with Molly's house chores so many times before she would be ushered off to have some 'relaxation' time.

She gazed down at her bare arms that now had only one wrap of bandages on each one, seeing the many grazes and cuts that needed to be exposed to the air to be healed properly. Molly had carefully cut away a majority of the bandages to leave the few four that were dispersed across Sophia's right leg, arms and around Sophia's neck. Her cuts had successfully begun to scab over excluding the few that were still covered by bandages, meaning that her body was slowly starting to heal itself. Sophia felt relieved to start feeling human again without the constant white cloth around her limbs, but always cringed at the sight of the gruesome reminders.

"Molly," Sophia called out to the woman who had just walked into the room with a basket full of washing.

"Yes dear?" she replied and started to fold the robes and Muggle clothes that belonged to nearly every member of the Weasely family.

"What would you say if... I wanted to maybe get out of the house for a little while?" she cautiously asked while keeping her eyes on the George the puff.

"Well you know my views on going outside The Burrow's barrier," Molly warned, already having this talk with her beforehand. "It's not safe. The Burrow is the best place for you Sophia."

"I know but... what if I went with someone to somewhere I knew was safe?" Sophia pushed.

"Like where?"

"I was sorta thinking about Fred and George's shop."

Molly pursed her lips and stopped her folding of clothes momentarily. She knew how much Sophia had begun to struggle with being house bound. She had been able to get over of the constant fear of strangers to a certain extent but Molly wasn't sure if it was yet safe for her to be interacting with others. Word could get around and eventually inform the Ministry of her finding, causing even more troubles. Molly also knew that the girl was itching to get back to Hogwarts too which was just as big of a problem. She wasn't sure if she would ever be able to back. Not while You Know Who was still around.

"Sophia I'm really not sure if you should be-"

"While it's closed at least!" Sophia cut her off and stood up from the sofa. "I-I just want to see something other than this house. It's beautiful, don't get me wrong, but I'm kind of tired of waking up with nothing to do and nowhere to go every day. I can only walk along the lining of the barrier so many times."

Molly sighed to herself and took in Sophia's frustrated face. She knew she would cave in just from how much she adored the girl, but still wanted to put up some sort of motherly fight.

"You know it's dangerous to even be out of the barrier right dear?" Molly attempted again.

"Of course I do," Sophia nodded but pleaded again. "But I'll be careful. Honest. Please Molly?"

Fred and George were obviously reluctant to take Sophia to the shop. Regardless of how much they wanted to show her everything they'd ever invented, they valued Sophia's safety and security first. Even though the only time she would be out in public would be when they would cross the barrier that surrounded The Burrow and the time they would set foot outside the shop after they had apparated. It would only be about three to five seconds of being in broad daylight for Sophia but it was still enough to put them in a state of uncertainty. Sophia on the other hand was buzzing with anticipation and excitement at finally being able to leave the house. She was ecstatic to see all the things that Fred and George had told her about, especially the huge glass case that held all the Pygmy Puffs they sold.

"Now you will not let go of my hand at any time okay?" Fred instructed with his hand tightly clamped around Sophia's. "If you lose mine somehow, find Georgie's. But don't hold it too hard. In fact, just link pinkies."

"Lay off it Freddie," George rolled his eyes. "You know I'm still interested in Angelina. And even more to the point, why would I want to steal Sophia from you?"

"Might I remind you of the comment you made back in fifth year?" Fred seethed back. "I seem to remember you saying something like 'twins share everything'?"

"Irrelevant! I was fifteen!" George cried with his face going bright red. He avoided Sophia's curious gaze by walking out of the room and out on to the porch to wait for their departure. Fred shook his head bemused, knowing full well that George would never try to pull a move on Sophia. He's never tried in without a teasing tone and he probably never will.

"Angelina, she was the Quidditch captain wasn't she?" Sophia asked.

"Yeah," Fred answered. "Georgie's been crushing on her for a while now. It wasn't until last year that he actually made the move because of yours truly's help."