Christmas break was soon approaching them and Irvine and Estella were reaching a month of their relationship, which they were very excited about. Only two people seemed to be unhappy with their constant talking about it was James and Lily.

Both of whom Estella didn't understand why they were unhappy with the news even if they said their congratulations. However that day they spent it all around each other laughing together.

"I told mam and dad about our relationship, they can't wait to see you again," Irvine rambled on But Estella didn't seem to hear. Her face paled at the thought of telling her parents, they have gotten further apart throughout the years and probably be not as happy as they would've been if she were a Slytherin. It was five years they needed to get over themselves.

"—What about you?" Estella tunes in to the last part and grimaced. "You haven't told anyone have you? What about Alula? She obviously knows,"

"No...." Estella said quietly.

"What?" Irvine said sounded a bit annoyed that he went through all the telling and his girlfriend did nada as if this was a one sided relationship he really hoped not. "All those times when we were snogging in the corridors.... Alula never saw! You kept moving us,"

"Yeah.." Estella said rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly, the dinner from then on went downhill.

"What's wrong with me?!" Irvine asked himself even though the question was for Estella. "What am I doing wrong, Estella?"

"It's not hat you're doing anything wrong, I promise... it's just," Estella sighed rubbing her temples, "Alula's boyfriend is a Ravenclaw Half-Blood, right? They wouldn't accept him because he's a Half-Blood but if he were a Pureblood in Ravenclaw they would considering as they see Ravenclaw as the second best house and Hufflepuff and Gryffindor are basically vermin to them,"

Irvine was silent for the rest of the dinner, it was an uncomfortable silence. Estella just felt like crying feeling too emotional to process things, even though it was a small little argument, Irvine's silence cut into her more than his words. She hated it, she just wanted to go to James.

After dinner Irvine left to go to the common room, trying to avoid her. This made her want to break down it was unbearable. She had a few hours until curfew so she didn't want to go to the common room yet as she felt Irvine didn't want to see her.

Unfortunately whenever she was alone in the hall she let a few tears fall, the emotional baggage just too much for her. Her mother always said to her be careful with your feeling as Estella seemed to feel it way more deeply than others.

Now she was sitting in the window seat far away from the Hufflepuff common room but near enough to Gryffindors, which she didn't realize. She kept her ear out for people and when she heard them she'd quickly wipe her tears and read the library book she had gotten out but she never got past the seventh page her eyes blurry.

She was doing that until she heard laughter down the hall, she freaked out and quickly got her stuff to move out. James would definitely know something was up and she definitely didn't feel like crying in front of him. But she was slow so when they came around the corner they saw a glimpse of her face.

"Estella!" James called, "Wait!"

"I need to ..go," Estella mumbled not facing them hurrying down the corridor away from them, she could feel their eyes burning through her head and she didn't notice that she bumped into someone. "Sorry.."

"No need," Sirius said, she jumped. Sirius frowned when he saw her eyes went and went to say something but she moved on faster than you could say Quidditch. "Don't go.."

They tried to call after her for a few more minutes but Estella kept dodging Sirius who ended up in front of her all the time, the only person who didn't give up was the one she feared would know something was up. So he went in front of her a bit angry that she would avoid him.

"What gives?" James said, crossing his arms stopping her every time she went to pass him. "Estella, I'm your best friend for Merlin's sake. I want to know what's up with you,"

"I don't want to cry!" Estella grumbled a bit annoyed herself, James looked taken aback letting his folded arms relax. "Not in front of you, or anyone for that matter,"

"Why?" James replied.

"I just... don't want people to pity me." Estella sighed, "I don't want people sharing looks of sympathy when I cry, and I don't want my best friend to be the burden of which I cry on!"

"I don't care about being the burden for you," James said, "Wow that sounded wrong but you get what I mean, I'm here for you NyNy. I love you, I don't want to see you upset,"

Estella looked down at both their feet, both of them pointing towards the other. James's voice was stalled he didn't know why he said what he said because he want to love her but not in a platonic way, her silence comforted him she went for a hug and let the tears fall.

James just knew that she was upset, he didn't  want to ask in case she got more upset. After a while of silence and Estella had stopped crying he held her hand and twirled her out of his chest. Estella was caught off guard and almost toppled over but James held on.

The two laughed together, just enjoying the nice moment.

"Thanks, James," Estella said, "I really needed that,"

"My pleasure," James smiled, "Would you say I'm a successful best friend?"

"Oh most definitely!" Estella laughed, "It was just a small little argument between me and Irvine. Because I didn't tell my parents about our relationship, but he's right I should do the work too."

James didn't help but feel a little happy when she said she had problems with Irvine but he slapped himself mentally.

"So what are you going to do?" James asked cocking his head to the side.

"I'm going to find Alula and tell her," Estella said firmly nodding her head ambitiously. "You can come if—,"

"I'd rather not show my face where Slytherins are, they'd tear me apart," James laughed, "But I'll keep an eye on the map for you in case you get jumped,"

"Aw, you're so thoughtful," Estella grinned before hugging him once more, "Aright I'll go then, talk to you tomorrow,"

"Good night!" James called as she was further down the hall, James couldn't help but smile goofily as he couldn't contain his happiness after she hugged him and cried on him. "Get it together, Prongs,"

Estella went on her trek to the Slytherin dungeons where hopefully she'll find her older sister. Alula was a popular seventh year so hopefully if she wasn't outside someone would go in and get her.

"Oi! Malfoy!" Estella said confidently not showing her shy side when talking to Slytherins in fear they may bully her. "Can you tell me where my sister is?"

"Why should I take orders from a Hufflepuff?" Malfoy sneered, Estella narrowed her eyes at this. "Alula is busy,"

"I'm her sister," Estella said, "You don't want to get on her bad side if you treat me badly, do you?"

"Uh," Malfoy said, before growling, "Fine! I'll get her,"

Alula soon came out of the dungeons ten minutes later and smiled when she saw her younger sister.

"Estella!" Alula said, "What a nice surprise! How are you?"

The two sisters hugged and went for a walk to talk about stuff, Estella had planned to tell her that evening.

"Good, what about you? N.E.W.T's must be torture," Estella said.

"You have no idea," Alula said rolling her eyes, "Besides, Mum and Dad have no idea what I want to be after school,"

"They don't?" Estella said, "They know you're not going to join the Dark Lords forces right,"

"That's what I'm trying to slip out of," Alula nodded, "I love Mum and Dad, I do. However, I can't stand people dying because of their blood,"

"Agreed," Estella said happy that her sister wasn't going in the same direction as her brother, "You're still going for Auror position? Mum and Dad will kick you out,"

"I know," Alula said sadly, "But I love Ryder. I do, he asked me to marry him after school,"

"Really!?" Estella shrieked, her sister smiled at Estella's reaction. "But... Mum and Dad what will they think?! They think you're going to join them, I've seen —,"

"Mum doesn't," Alula said shaking her head, "She also said that Dad's in too deep to leave even though he would love too."

"R-really?" Estella said shocked, "Since when did they change their mind about all this?"

Alula hitches her breath, Estella didn't know that Archer had died trying to do the Dark Lords tasks. Alula wasn't sure if she should tell her if her parents didn't they must've had a reason.

"They saw that it was wrong," Alula lied.

"That's great!" Estella said happily, "So they don't care if I'm in Hufflepuff now?"

"They're still a bit iffy about it," Alula shrugged, "But they still love you Estella,"

"I have to tell you something," Estella said, "I have a boyfriend,"

"Oh!" Alula said grinning as she hugged her sister, "Who is he? Ravenclaw, Slytherin?"

"Hufflepuff." Estella said, Alula looked shocked but listened. "Its Irvine, we have been dating for a month today,"

"At least he's a pure blood," Alula nodded, "Not that I care but our parents will accept him sooner than Ryder as they're still stuck in those ways a little bit,"

"Yeah I understand," Estella said, a crash was around the corner and the two went to investigate it. There James was after knocking over a suit of armor. Alula stares at the boy confused and a little bit of competition.

"James.." Estella laughed, "What are you doing?"

"I just decided to relax down here you know," James said sarcastically, "It's very comfy you should try,"

"Oh no I don't think—," Estella started before James grabbed her arm towards him, so she ended up on top of him. The two laughed. "James!"

"Oh come on," James grinned, crookedly, "Don't tell me you wouldn't have done this if you were in my place,"

"I wouldn't have!" Estella said glaring at him from on top, he only smiled. Alula watched the two and she almost wondered if Irvine was code for James. "Alula help me up please,"

Alula helped her sister up and Estella helped James.

"That was comfy," James said cheekily while Estella hit him.