Forever And Always **Sequel to From Two Different Worlds**

Winter Ball

He shifted a little. "Mum told me. I was born first!" His voice cracked at the mention of mum. "You do know what today is, don't you?" I turned to Alice and Emmy and that was there cue to leave, so they quickly fled.

"It's December 24th. Mum's birthday. How could I forget?" We locked eyes for a split second before both turning away. "I did what I usually do since first year, it's probably long gone by now." So let me explain. Every Christmas Eve, I go to the shores of the Black lake or maybe the river back home and cut a hole in the ice to where the water is. I make a flower wreath and plunge in into the water and sometimes it sinks, and sometimes it floats away under the ice. I do this to remember mum by. I don't know why though.

"It's good to hear that you still do that." He said before giving me a hug. "I'm going to go.. I promised dad I would help him back home. You're coming later, right?" I smiled at him and pointed to a  small bag near the fireplace. It contained floo powder. "Ok, I'll see you then. Have fun tonight!" He smiled.

"Thanks, Toby." I replied before he vanished. I sat there is silence before I heard feet shuffling from behind the door. "You guys can come in now!" I called. Emmy and Alice burst through the door.

"Sit down Bella! We've got to finish!" Emmy giggle before picking up a make up brush.

"Oh joy." I grumbled.

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"What brings you to our home Professor?" I asked Dumbledore, who gave me a gentle smile.

"I heard it was your birthday." He said before holding up a box wrapped in white paper. "Come on, let's take a quick stroll." He turned to the rest of the family. "It'll only take a couple of minutes." Lily and Tonks nodded before they returned to James and Sirius.

I followed Dumbledore out the door and we walked along a nearby stream. "So, what is the real reason you came here today professor?" I asked. He smiled idly.

"I wanted to see how you were dealing with all of this." He replied. My eyes darted back and forth. "It's been quite a while since you've seen Fred, Arabella or Toby."

I scratched my head and awkwardly looked around. "Well yes, but it's been years since I've seen them, and I've have gotten quite used to it." I paused. "Plus I'm not alone in this situation. Lily and James were probably devastated when they died and left Harry alone. Same goes with Tonks and Remus, they must miss Teddy. But it's different for us, because Arabella has Fred... and her dead brother." I let out and awkward chuckle.

"So you are holding up well?" He asked. I nodded.

"I think so. I just need to do something, to get my mind off of this. Like get a job maybe." I chuckled again. "Can you do that?" I asked. He shook his head sadly.

"The only jobs that are around are the ones at the registration for the dead and they are-" I cut him off and let out a squeak.

"Professor Dumbledore! It's here!" I yelled as I bounded forward to the shore of the stream. A small flower wreath was making it's way down the stream.I outstretched my hand and redirected the water so the wreath flowed toward me. I heard footsteps coming from behind me.

"What is that?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"I don't know, someone sends it down this river every Christmas eve. " I replied as I grasped it in my hand. "I keep thinking it's someone from Hogwarts that died in the battle, just sending me a small birthday gift. Or maybe it's someone that is alive. But I always end up finding it with my name inscribed in it." I replied. Dumbledore had that familiar twinkle in his eyes, like he knew.

"Well, I can tell you are fine, so I'll just leave you to your party. Happy birthday Madeline." He said before turning and walking away.

"Wait." I blurted out. He paused but didn't face me. "Do you know if anything is going to happen in the next five to ten years to my family?"

"Yes I know what's going to happen." He paused and slowly turned to me. "You don't have to worry. Your family is safe." And in a bright flash he was gone.

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"Come on let's dance!" Emmy and Alice squealed. We were in the Great Hall, the music was blaring, and Elliot was nowhere to be seen. Alice and Emmy grabbed my arm and pulled me onto the dance floor. I followed reluctantly.

"Bella, you haven't danced all night, what's the matter?" Alice asked. Emmy started to dance next to Pierre, who just walked up.

"Elliot was supposed to meet me here. And I haven't seen him all night! I feel like I've just been stood up." I replied. I frowned and shuffled my feet. "It's already been two hours in and still no sight."

She put a hand on my shoulder reassuringly. "If he did stand you up, which I doubt, he's missing out." She looked over her shoulder and saw our group of friends dancing. "Are you going to stay?"

I thought about it for a moment. "I better get back home. My dad and brother are probably waiting for me. Tell everyone happy Christmas and the presents for everyone are underneath my bed." I replied rather sadly. "Happy Christmas Alice." I said before she gave me a hug and I made my way through the crowd.

I finally reached the exit of the Great Hall and was surprised when Professor Longbottom approached me. "Leaving so soon?" He asked. I nodded silently. "Why?"

I sighed. "My date stood me up." I replied. He gave me a sad look and patted me on the back.

"Are you headed home?" I nodded again. "Well tell everyone Happy Christmas for me."

"Will do professor." I replied before beginning to make my way up to the Gryffindor tower. At around the third floor, I took off my heels. On the fourth floor, I found Victoire and Teddy. "What are you two doing up this late?" I asked. They both looked up in surprise.

"We're just hanging out." Teddy replied. Part of his hair turned from teal to light pink.

"Aren't you coming home for Christmas?" I asked, rocking back and fourth on my heels. They both nodded.

"We were waiting for you. I ran out of floo powder and so did Vic, and we missed the train by hours." Teddy replied. I rolled my eyes and they stood up.

"Well come on, everyone's waiting. " I said as I continued my trek back to the tower.

Finally in my room, Teddy and Victoire took a hand full of floo powder and in a puff of green flames they were gone. I grabbed my trunk, placed it by my side, and said, "Weasley home!"

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So here's another chapter! Sorry I haven't updated... just feeling kinda down lately. 

<3 Wren