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

I smiled, " Thank you Mr. Weasley." I said as I hugged him. " These parties mum likes to make sure we dress all formal. Because well ...embarrassing story was she made us start having these...because of me wanting to dress up.." I explained, I held his hand and led him to my favourite chair. That my dad always read to me from that chair, it's where I always kept reading. Just seemed like the big comfy chair was always the best spot. Putting a strand of lose hair behind my ears, " She likes you ..you know." I informed him. " My mum....she sees you as a positive influence on me. I've gotten into less fights and I guess I am more personable..." I blushed lightly. Here I was telling him pretty much how much he's helped me. I felt like I was blabbering on and on.

I took a glass of wine, " This of course is the time of year where we all can drink and don't have to be legal age.." I said as I took a sip. Looking to him, " Come here.." I said as I pulled him into the chair beside me.

Well, that was a relief. I was glad that at least one of her parents liked me so far. I grabbed a glass as well,not really caring what was in it. I just enjoyed some drinking. "Well, I can say it is nice to see you all pampered and done up," I told her, following her to a chair. I grinned at her. "And you know... it's really hard for people to not like me. I'm a hoot," I teased, though in reality I was extremely worried what her dad would think. I felt like I was chattering nervously and that it was obvious. "I am glad that you don't fight as often, though... I don't know if I could keep up with your track record on getting you out of tight spots." I laughed and braced myself for I figured I'd at least get a playful punch for that remark.

" Well, I was up there for quite a while, " I grinned, " It does take girls a while to make sure how awesome they look." I said while taking a sip. " You are a hoot. Relax darlin' my dad isn't going to eat you..." I said, he looks so nervous and on edge. " I have gotten into quite a few fights....I am glad I know that you can help me when I am in them. " I said as I laughed. " I try hard not to fight....well try harder to do so now.." I told him with a bit of a shrug. It was difficult to not make people stop to leaving me alone.

My brother isn't going to be hard to make you like him, as far as I know the pair of you aren't fond of one another because he needed the map. " So, have you forgiven Dean yet for needing the map?" I asked him.

I really wasn't sure if I wanted to coe this early to the party. But I was also hoping that if Dean woul dhear me out, then perhaps we culd have the midnight kiss. I knew it was foolishto think tht, but a girl could hope. I walked in and tried to blend in. I, of course, still dressed up. It as a tradition of this New Year's bash to dress to impress. I really hoped that I wouldn't cause a scene.

I laughed. "I never thought he'd eat me... but I figured he may beat me a little bit," I said honestly. I looked around again and took a sip of the wine. "This just better calm me down so I don't make a fool out of myself with him..." I sighed. I couldn't believe how wriled up I was about meeting her dad. What was going on with me?

I looked at her and shrugged. "I mean, I guess it's technically his since he's the son of a marauder. He just didn't have to be so... Dean about it," I tol dher, as there was no other way to explain the way Dean acted.

I burst into laughter, " Dean about it!" I couldn't contain it. It fit Dean so well. " He likes to think he was the only one with a rough time sometimes. I know it can be bad at times...but he isn't that bad." I said defending him after I laughed. " My dad beat you..." I shook my head. " Yeah right...my mum would beat him then..." I said trying to help in some way.

I was standing in a corner just watching everyone. That was one of my favorite things to do at these parties is just to people watch. Dad took Remus outside... I wondered what that was about. I'd have to ask them. Jetty seemed content to be by himself... I'd make a point to go over and talk to him. And then I saw the most gorgeous brunette in a red dress that I had gotten for her walking around, looking very nervous. My heart skipped a beat. What was Addison doing here? I nearly dropped my glass of Firewhiskey. I made my way over to her and cleared my throat. "Addie... what're...?" I couldn't even finish my thought. The last place I would expect to see her was here. I wasn't prepared for this.

I smiled at Dean, surprised that he had walked over to me. "Hey," I said, motioning that we should maybe move off to a quieter side of the room. Again, to my surprise, Dean followed me. I turned and looked at him, my back against the wall. "I just came to tell you how sorry I am," I told him, meeting his gaze. "I didn't want to start the new year without at least telling you that. I don't know what will come of it... and I don't know if you even care for me anymore, but Dean... I do love you and I don't know what I was thinking when I walked away from us," I said, keeping the tears in my eyes and not falling down my cheeks. I wouldn't cry tonight. I just wouldn't.

"Nah... I'm over it," I said, looking around the room more or less for her dad. I turned back to Elena. "You think you're mum would beat up your dad? really?" That was an interesting thought. My eyes found her mum and I couldn't hepl but wonder if she was raelly tougher than she looked.

I just stood there, looking at her. I still couldn't believe that she was here. Especially with the way I was behaving. I was acting like an idiot. I knew I had to have hurt her so badly with the way I just dismissed everything after she ended it. I was definitely not myself. "Addie... I don't know what to say," I said. There was no way I could put into words what I was feeling right now.

I felt a little crushed. I didn't realize how hopeful I was that I would be given a second chance. That we would get another chance. "Oh... well, um, I know I can't take back hurting you," I told him, "but I wanted to at least let you know how I felt. So, enjoy the party... I think I'm just going to go." I set my glass on the table beside us and walked around him, blinking back the tears and hoped that I would be able to contain them long enough to get outsid.e

I grinned, " My mother could easily fight my dad....and win...." I would put my galleons on it. " She could take him...although, when questioned about it..she lets him think he'd win." I said with a smirk. My parents had a lovely relationship. I had heard about some of the awful things. " Although, my dad has his scary side to what makes him seem intimidating.." I explained, " I want to show you something.." I said standing up and walking over to the bookshelf as I grabbed the photo albums. " This has all of the photos, my uncle James...was super protective of my mum. It took forever for my dad and mum to get together." I explained as I flipped through the books. " You know...my dad has fought physically for all of us..." I said with a smile.

I smiled, enjoying th efact that she would share some really personal family memories with me. "Really? I mean, I don't put it past any man to fight for something he loves," I told her.I put a hand on her shoulder as I looked at the pictures with her. "And, by the way, your mum is great for having him think he wins... you gotta stroke the ego a little bit," I added with a chuckle.

I grabbed Addie's arm and turned her around. "Just because I said I didn't know what to say, doesn't mean that I was just going to let you walk away from me again," I said, pulling her to me and wrapping my arms around her. I kissed her forehead and whispered to her, "I've missed you so much."

I was too surprised for any tears to have fallen. I pulled away and looked at him. "You're serious?" I asked, a smile playing at my lips. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, especially with what he had been doing.