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Dear Mum and Dad,

How have you been? Staying safe and well, I hope. Mum, how have things been at work? They don't believe us about You Know Who, and they've replaced Dumbledore as headmaster with this horrible, awful woman called Dolores Umbridge.

She's changed everything. We're not allowed to meet in groups of more than three - not even for Quidditch! Except for Slytherin, of course. Her punishments are terribly unfair too. She makes us use her Black Quill. That's dark magic, isn't it?

But the thing that bothers us the most is that we don't have practical Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons anymore.

I know you're going to tell me not to start, but if what Harry says is true - and it is - how are we supposed to protect ourselves? Anyway, the girls (and a few of the guys) and I have done something sneaky. A secret club I can't quite say right now. But don't worry, everyone is safe.

We're not halfway through the year yet and I already miss you two and want to come back.

Love,
Angel

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Dear Angel,

We're keeping well. So sorry to hear about what's happening at Hogwarts. Things must be hard for you right now. Not having practical Defence classes is a bit strange, and this Umbridge character sounds downright unpleasant indeed! But remember what your old dad always says - kill them with kindness.

Stay out of trouble! Remember, your mother's job is at a very sensitive state right now. Don't want you going about upsetting Umbridge. The Ministry is a little tense because of everything that's been going on with Dumbledore and Potter, but it's all very hush-hush so Mum isn't allowed to talk about it.

Don't worry, love. We'll be there to pick you up at Kings as usual this Christmas. Kisses and misses!

Love,
Mum and Dad

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Dear Mum and Dad,

Sorry I haven't the time to write much. O.W.Ls are just round the corner, and things aren't going well at Hogwarts. Umbridge has sacked Professor Trelawney! She even wanted to kick her off the grounds. Can you believe the audacity! Hogwarts is home for all of us! Thank Merlin Dumbledore stopped her.

She's also started the Inquisitorial Squad to enforce her thousands of stupid rules. And you needn't even ask - that foul, loathsome, evil Malfoy boy joined, of course. Why wouldn't he? As if he isn't already bullying and pushing everyone about enough!

He tried to break up our club. Totally ratted us out to Umbridge! I've decided that I want nothing to do with him and I'm never speaking to him ever again!

We all got punished, but Harry and Neville got it the worst. Mum, can't you do something about it? You work in the Ministry!

Sorry if this letter sounded a bit angry. I'm just so frustrated with everything! Got to go study now - Hannah's waiting. Kisses and misses.

Love,
Angel

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The air was different at home this year. Grace seemed distracted, burning the apple strudel and then almost burning the ham too. Jacob had been reading the same page of the Daily Prophet for an about an hour now, and it was clear his mind was elsewhere.

"Dad," she called when she finished hanging the last bauble on the tree. "Is everything alright? Honestly."

"'Course it is, love. Why would it be?" he said from behind the paper.

"Mum's acting strange. She never burns anything." She came to sit on the armrest next to her dad. He folded the paper away and adjusted his glasses. "The Ministry is just a little tense right now," he mumbled. She waited for more, but he seemed finished.

"You mentioned," she said darkly, feeling a little slighted. She and her parents had always shared everything. Honestly and transparency were some of the reasons why they were so close. 

"What else?" She stared at her father so intensely that he finally relented.

"You know what that look of yours does to people, don't you?" he sighed. "Well, see, we believe Harry and Dumbledore. But the Ministry doesn't, and by extension, your mother shouldn't either. And you know, that's a cause for worry, because that means they aren't prepared."

"Prepared... for what?"

"My dear," Jacob wiped his glasses with his shirt before perching them back on his nose. "If You-Know-Who really is back, do you really think the Ministry wouldn't be the first place he'd attack?"

Angel bit her lip. She always assumed Hogwarts would've been Voldemort's first target, but now that her dad mentioned, it did make a lot of sense.

Voldemort's purpose wasn't just to kill Harry - he wanted to rule the earth and all who inhabited it. The Ministry was the heart of the wizarding world, and the best place to begin his assault.

"Maybe Mum should stop going to work, then," she offered, but Jacob shook his head. "And give what reason? If they find out we think different from them, your mum would be sacked. Or worse - we could be put on trial."

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The fire crackled as they snuggled under a blanket on the couch and watched their favourite yearly Christmas film. It was about a young boy who'd accidentally been left at home by his family, and it follows his adventures as he tries to stop two burglars from breaking in.

The snow had already started falling outside, and the living room was only lit up by the telly and the warm glow of the Christmas tree. After they finished their hot chocolate, they would exchange gifts at midnight before going to bed. If they hadn't known what was truly going on, it would have been exactly like any other Christmas.

"Here you go, darling." Grace's voice snapped Angel out of her thoughts. Her mother held out a small box to her. "We know it's not midnight yet, but we thought we'd give this to you now."

Angel slowly undid the yellow ribbon of the box, shooting her mother a quizzical look before lifting the lid. She gasped softly as she lifted the necklace out of its box.

Three silver rings, each smaller than the other, looped inside each other, and right in the center floated a small orb, no bigger than a large marble. It held the entire night sky in it, in which a single star glowed the biggest and brightest amongst all. She held it up, looking at it in different lights.

"Polaris. To find your way home wherever you are." Jacob began flailing his arms like a teenage girl. "Ooh, dad, you're so cheesy. Gross." 

Emotion overwhelmed her, and she flew into her parents' arms. "Not at all, dad! This is the best Christmas gift ever! I don't even want to go back anymore. Can't I quit school and stay home forever?"

Her father laughed, deep and rumbling as he patted her back. "It's alright. You're here with us now, eh? You're here with us... Nothing to worry about, darling."

The hot chocolate warmed her stomach and her dad's aftershave tickled her nose. With the sound of carollers from down the street permeating their house softly, she honestly couldn't think about anything else other than how much she loved her parents.

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A/N: 
Alrightyyy now that we've got the 'backstory' down, here's where the story starts to amp up! Thanks for sticking around xx