New Year's Party -- Grimmauld Place -- 31 December 1996/1 January 1997

I always threw a New Year's bash.  And this year was the best one I would throw in a long time.  I was just really excited for this year's bash, and I wasn't sure why exactly.  I finished decorating when I heard the first knock on the door.  I grinned at my husband and went to the door to find Tobi and her kids.  "Hey!  So nice to see you all again!  Come in, come in," I said, giving a hug to Jetty, Jada, Michael and I saw Fred Weasley.   I didn't hug him but let them all in.

I gave her a hug. "Ember! Did you see that Jada has a boyfriend?" I whispered ot her excitedly. "And one she actually let me meet," I added, grinning. I was so happy for my baby girl. Ember and I just giggled like little school girls and I passed her and looked at Jetty. "Have fun and behave, Jet," I told him rubbing his shoulder. I knew he didnt' get along with a lot of the kids that were going to be here tonight, but I gave him a choice and he wanted to come. So that was good.

I smiled at my mum. "I'll be fine," I said. I felt conspicuous, though. Just because I was a Slytherin, didn't mean that I was like the rest of them. I mean... Dad tried to make me that way, but it doesnt' mean that's who I was. I wasn't a Death Eater. I had a hard time just giving food to Potter and here I was in the house of her sister-in-law! It was eating me alive. I had actually come to try to leave something that would make them all wonder. I wanted them to find James and LIly. The only reason I went after Dean an dAddie was because they were getting close to exposing myf ather... not because I hated them or wanted to hurt them. Being a Slytherin wasn't about being evil. It's just that I was cunning and didn't fit anywhere else. But that didn't mean I had to be evil. At least not to me... I mean, look at Dad? He was a Gryffindor and look how he turned out.

I really hoped that Fred wouldn't feel awkward here. I looked at him and handed him a cup of punch. "These parties are always fun," I said with a smile. "Just gotta let everyone get here... Mum always wants to get here first for some reason."

I walked in, not even knocking... no need with it being Sirius and Ember's place. I held the door open for Chloe and then closed it against the cold. I saw Ember and Tobi talking together, I waved to her and went to find Sirius.

I came downstairs when I heard people coming in. I saw Jada and Fred. "Hey guys!" I said, calling out. I wondered when the rest of the younger gang would get here. I saw Jetty and went up to him. "No problems tonight, okay," I said, holding out my hand for a truce just for a night. I didn't really need to deal with any bull tongiht. And no one else needed to know what he had done or anything.

I was surprised that Dean came up to me. I let out a sigh of relief and shook his hand. "Look... there's a lot I want to explain to you. Just at a different time, okay?" I said quietly.

I wasn't sure what he would be able to say for me to forgive what he did, but it was going to be the new year... so why not give a guy a chance? "Well, maybe when we return to Hogwarts? We can break the rules and cross the lines like our mums did and talk about it then," I suggested, surprised by how kind I sounded. Was I growing up?

I smiled, glad that we might be able to put some things behind us. I wondered if this would be a great new year. Perhaps I would get the guts to stand up to my father and get things out into the open...

This was always Ember's party. When it was this time she ran around the house like a mad woman. I smiled as I walked down the stairs to see everyone and ended up bumping into Moony. " Hey moony...we should go out back..." I suggested.

I just poured myself a drink and said, "Now, Padfoot... I need a few drinks before I let you take me out back." I grinned at him, joking obviously. "But I suppose... what's up?" I questioned, wondering if this was a serious thing or just to get away from the crowd a little bit that was starting to build.

I had gotten into the new dress I got when mum and I went shopping. I was excited to see George's face when he saw me in it. Although, I am surprised he agreed to coming because of well...dad killing him could happen. Or a few other things like that nature. I finished putting on my make up and went down stairs. I looked around and noticed Aunt Tobi...although, I am happy mum and I went out because Dad can't tell me to change. Which I was figuring something like that was coming.

I knew that Fred and Jada would be there, so at least I'd know some people other than Elena that I enjoyed talking with. Surprisingly, Jada wasn't as bad as I had made her seem. It was slightly refreshing I suppose. I decided that since it was a party, I needn't knock. I walked in and saw that there were quite a few people there... of a wide variety. Of course I saw the Lupins, but then I saw Pettigrew and a few others one wouldn't expect to be there. Naturally, Fred's red hair stood out and so I knew that he was close by. But first, I needed to find Elena. I saw a woman who could only be her mother and walked over to her "Excuse me, Miss," I said, flattery was always my top priority with paretns.

I turned when I heard someone addressing me as 'miss.' I saw that it was George Weasley, and that explained everything. "Please... everyone calls me Ember... I'm not overly formal. Though Sirius, well, he may prefer Mr. Black. Makes him feel more dominant," I informed Lenni's boyfriend. I smiled at him and turned him around by the shoulders. "She's that way, last I saw," I told him. He didn't need to stand there and try to make nice with me. I already liked the change he was making ni my daughter.

I grinned, feeling grateful. As I walked in the direction of where Ember had pointed me, I realized that I may be slightly underdressed in just jeans and a button-down shirt. Everyone else seemed to be wearing at least some sort of blazer or party dress. I didn't realize it would be like this. I saw the crowd part slightly and I saw Elena standing there in a stunning dress that fit her curves quite nicely, I might add. I walked up to her. "Don't you look lovely?" I said, smiling at her.