Yule was fast approaching Percilla wasn't sure when her tutoring sessions began to become so full. It started with maybe five students all in the same house. However, it had grown so that Percilla had to break the tutoring sessions up by content and available for all houses. Marcus was with her a lot of the time, silently standing behind her watching out for potential danger. Percilla thought it was silly as the hair comb she had been gifted had protection charms embedded.

Today was Charms. She had Cedric Diggory, Hufflepuff, year five. Terence Higgs, Slytherin year four. Hannah Abbott, Hufflepuff, year two. Millicent Bulstrode, Slytherin year two. Athanasia Tremblay, Ravenclaw year three. Evanora Max, Ravenclaw year five. Adrian Pucey, Slytherin year seven, and Sorin Cornfoot Gryffindor, year six. It had become more than just a tutoring session and a group of people helping one another out. Young students struggling with a respective topic would come and ask questions. There was no annoyance, no bullying, and no judgment. It was a really wonderful time that Percilla felt terrible for charging students. When she brought this up to Marcus, he just gave her a confused look and bluntly told her 'no.'

"So I know each year is a bit different, but luckily professor Flitwick gave me his lesson plan for each grade and made copies of what is expected." Percilla began handing out rolls of parchment of their year while giving gentle reminders.

"Millicent, don't forget to speak up, I know you're generally a reticent girl, but you'll need to speak clearly when doing an incantation."

"Cedric, you get in too much of a rush. It's not a race, no matter what you quidditch boys think. Slow down, and you'll do fine."

"Athanasia, stop reading ahead. You need to master one spell before moving to the other."

"Sorin, it's all about memory. It'll come to you."

Each one Percilla knew on a first name basis, each one she knew their strengths, weaknesses and how to give them a pep talk. Marcus smirked as he watched her make her way around the room.

"You'd be a good mum someday," the comment came out of the left field as the pair walked towards the Gryffindor entrance that night. Percilla felt the smile spread over her lips as she thought about it. Percilla had not really thought about being a mom. She didn't have the best role model for balanced home life.

"What makes you say that?" Percilla asked as she squeezed Marcus' hand, which was holding her own.

"I can just tell," Percilla pouted at his lack of a reply, "besides us, Flints are a good judge of character."

"I bet you are," Percilla playfully retorted to the smirk on Marcus's face.

"What do you plan to do for Yule?"

"I'm staying at the school," Percilla stated dryly. She knew she was probably not welcome back at the burrow. There was no doubt that Ron had owled their mother, letting her know about Marcus. Percilla was relieved that she had not received a Howler but was a bit saddened that she had not even received a letter from her parents all year.

"I was going to go home, but if you are going to stay at the castle, then I might as well."

Percilla stopped them as she looked up at the taller boy, "Marcus, don't do that. I don't want you to miss out on doing your family traditions this year because of me."

Marcus kept smiling at her as he listened to her worry, "what makes you think I will be missing out on family traditions?" Marcus continued walking as he pulled lightly on Percilla's hand. "In Slytherin, Professor Snape looks the other way and allows us to celebrate Yule, Samhain, Beltane, the way Mother Magic intended."

Percilla was surprised. She had not known about the celebrations before she began to read the books of the Olde Ways. However, celebrating the holidays of the old was not illegal. It was heavily frowned upon by the leader of the light for not being inclusive to the muggleborn students. Percilla didn't understand how a holiday celebration could not be inclusive when one was willing to teach them.

"Have you ever been to the come-and-go room?" Marcus asked in a bit of a whisper which confused Percilla, who shook her head. "Adrian, Graham, and I found it our third year. It comes to whatever you need it to be and then goes when you are finished."

Percilla couldn't help the face she pulled as she listened to Marcus's story. The room sounded made up, but she wouldn't say it out loud.

"Anyways, we normally host a Yule ball there, we get a yule log, and we dance and reverent in the magic we are given."

"That sounds magical," Percilla commented, unable to stop herself. Percilla's family always celebrated Christmas, which was strange for Percilla to wrap her head around as they did not know who Christ was or why they celebrated it in the muggle world. "If you have one this year, I hope I'm invited," Percilla smiled up at Marcus. Her blue eyes seemed to be sparkling in the flicker of the candlelight.

"Always, my lady."

Harry, Hermonie, her brothers, and Ginny also stayed in the castle this year for Yule. Percilla wasn't foolish. She could see that the three-second years were up to something. Percilla hoped that whatever they had planned was not something rash and stupid last year. The students were expected to head home the following morning. Percilla spent most of her morning helping Professor McGonagall check with each student if they were going home, packed, and when they needed to be in the great hall. Some ignored her, which ticked Percilla's nerves, but she checked their name off regardless. If they were too ignorant to listen, then that was their fault.

"Perci!" a voice called as she walked down the stairs from the fourth-year girl dormitories.

Turning around, Percilla was surprised to find Harry standing there, the book she lent him in his hands.

"Hello, Harry," she said, curtsying as she had done the previous night. Harry fumbled a bit but presented her with his own bow. The very act brought a smile to Percilla's face as she nodded her head in approval. "You've been practicing. Good job." She could see the blush that came through at the compliment.

"Yeah," he laughed a bit before shrugging, "I had to do it during the night when Ron and the other boys fell asleep, but the book has helped me."

"That is wonderful to hear, Harry," Percilla was always excited when she could talk about traditional or wizarding culture to others. She couldn't speak to anyone in her family about it for fear of their mother's wrath. "I meant to ask did you hear back from the bank?"

"Yes," Harry said, nodding his head as he stepped closer, "that was actually what I meant to talk to you about." Pulling out a letter inside the book, Harry unraveled the scroll before handing it to Percilla. "My account manager is Griphook. He said he had been trying to get letters delivered to me since last year, but I had not received anything."

Percilla's blue eyes ran over the scroll as she took in the goblin's words. So someone had been sifting through his mail.

"He said he wants a meeting with me the week after Yule or, I guess, Christmas. But I don't know how and I don't really want to go alone." Percilla nodded as she read over the letter once more. "this letter is a port key. It will light up and take you where you are being summoned. On the part of not going alone, are you wishing I come with?" Her blue eyes raised as she looked towards the second year, who nodded back to her.

"Very well, we can meet early that morning. I will inform professor McGonagall that you need help with your classes and want your privacy about it." Percilla smiled down at the boy before nodding her head and continuing down the stairs.

"Oh, and Harry," stopping herself, she turned back to fix Harry with a knowing look, "please don't plan on doing anything rash and stupid before then. You always seem to have a knack for getting yourself into trouble. Please try not to." Percilla didn't want to say she was begging, but the idea of the younger putting himself in even more dangerous situations worried the elder.

Percilla knew that the circumstances were probably not all his to begin with. Hermonie was a bright young witch, but she was so eager to prove herself and that she belonged that she came out as obnoxious and boastful of her knowledge. Ron, while he grew up in the wizarding world, he longed for wealth and affirmation. Percilla knew that living with six other siblings, it was easy to get pushed in the back and ignored by another.

However, Ron wants to be in the spotlight and put others at greater risk just for his greed. While Harry was not innocent, Percilla knew he was searching for companionship. Percilla was let in just a crack of his life outside the castle, and it was not happy. Harry began to look better and healthier when he left for a term and would return just as skinny as he came in. Percilla had been mulling over the idea of owling him nutrition potions over the summer.

In contrast, he wasn't even able to get his post last summer, so that would not do. Percilla concluded that Harry probably did not have any friends outside of Hogwarts. Ron had said the first person Harry had ever met was Draco Malfoy and that he got mad when the younger insulted Hagrid. Percilla kept thinking about what would have happened if Draco had not offended the one to get Harry out of his situation. Harry was so protective of those around him, like he was willing to allow anyone to treat him as a means to gain another. Just for their friendship.

Percilla was so in her head that she didn't realize the body coming straight toward her, knocking on her shoulder. "Oi!" Percilla bit her lip from making any more noise as she turned to see the figure. "Ginny?"

Standing in front of Percilla stood her younger sister, Ginny's hair looked like it had not been washed for days as she clutched a book in her arms. Percilla started to get worried as she took a step toward her sister. Reaching out, she tried to take one of Ginny's hands, but the younger stepped back hastily.

"No," Ginny screamed but looked around wide-eyed, "no," this time quieter. "I'm sorry, Perc. I'm just tired. I stayed up to late last night." Percilla didn't buy it at first as she stared at her sister. She noticed the bags under Ginny's eyes and how her eyelids seemed heavy. Maybe she was just tired.

"Okay, okay, sure," Percilla said in a calm voice nodding her head up the steps, "why don't you go upstairs and get some rest? I'll have lunch brought up to you."

Ginny smiled slightly as the girl's eyes met one another for the first time that day, "thanks, Perci, you're the best."

Percilla felt guilty as she watched her little sister run up the stairs. Had Ginny started to have a hard time at Hogwarts and Percilla not noticed? Percilla tried to think of when she last saw Ginny. She had always been quiet in front of crowds and shyer, especially if Harry was included. Due to the fairytales, their mum spun for the younger. Ginny had never given her any trouble, so she didn't worry. Giving herself a mental post, she would check on Ginny every other day.

Percilla worked around making sure everything was ready for the children returning home. Once completed, she took her list to Professor McGonagall and headed to dinner. She had asked a house elf to bring Ginny food for lunch but noticed her sister had not come for dinner.

"Percilla," hearing her name be called, took her out of worrying about Ginny as she noticed Peony's smiling face from the Slytherin table. Smiling back, Percilla made her way over. Percilla stopped briefly to ask the twins to bring Ginny some food as she had prefect duty after. She tried to not let the glare that Ronald sent her affect her mood. She made her way over to the Slytherin table and sat next to Peony in front of Verena.

"Marcus had the boys out doing an extra quidditch practice before everyone leaves for Yule," Verena explained as she rolled her eyes playfully.

"Graham was not too happy," Peony said, giggling slightly before shrugging her petite shoulders. "Oh well, that's what you get when you are on Flint's team."

Percilla nodded, knowing exactly what they meant, "yeah, he told me he made this play that took extra practice for." Percilla smiled as she remembered how passionate Marcus was about the sport. To sit and listen to him speak and discuss the sport with such fire in his eyes and drive. It was fascinating to watch.

"Hopefully, it will work," Verena said, "while it is easy to beat Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Even a rouge bludger can't even stop Potter."

"We'll beat them this time," a male voice said as he rounded the table next to Verena. Adrian looked tired as he slouched down. "I am so ready to get on that train and go home. To sleep in my own bed," His head lolled to the side onto Verena's shoulder as he pouted.

Percilla couldn't stop the fit of laughter at the melodrama of it all. Graham came to sit beside Peony, taking her hand to place a kiss on the back of it. They were adorable together. Feeling a weight beside her, Percilla looked up she noticed Marcus looking down at her.

Her smile widened, "not killing your team before the holidays, are you?" The jest earned her a low chuckle that sent shivers down her spine.

"Never," Marcus said as he shook his head slightly, "they are not worth Askaban for."

"Hey," both boys said indignantly, which caused another fit of giggles from the girls before all became quiet for Dumbledore to give his speech. Percilla tried to listen, but Marcus held her hand under the table and slid his calloused thumb over the top of her hand. Percilla felt herself blushing as she squeezed Marcus's hand under the table and harder when he squeezed back.