But now, waking up on Christmas Day, she put those matters behind her. A childish excitement possessed her as she opened her eyes,gifts and merriment that typically accompanied the Potter's celebrations coming to mind and stirring her to suddenly jump out of bed and rugby-tackle her little sister, who was standing beside her bed clutching her duvet. 

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Accompanied her jump before she burst out laughing, Lily doing the same. Rose was awoken from the shout and getting up in an unusually sprightly manner.

"Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!" Rose raised her sock to Lily and Maxine, who laughed and replied with the same words before advancing and taking down Rose as well. There were giggles all round and then a voice came from the door from a grinning Albus.

"You guys." He tried using patronisation but his smile was to wide and Maxine, bounding towards him, soon involved her brother in the mad, early-morning festivities as Rose, Nina and Lily also ran forward to swamp him. "You're going to suffocate me." He chuckled, mock choking at the centre of the group hug.

Maxine pulled out, laughing as her glinted with a merry excitement. "Have you checked the stockings?" She questioned him, grinning.

Albus opened his mouth, speaking at the same time as Lily yelled.

"Not yet."

"THE STOCKINGS! NINA COME ON!"

Lily bounded past them, Nina in quick succession, as Albus, Rose and Maxine laughed. It was when the thundering of the eleven year olds on the stairs had passed that Rose turned to Albus and Maxine with a grin.

"Well - aren't we going to race to the stockings as well?"

Maxine looked at her brother, then grinned wickedly in return. "Come on - we don't have any dignity left anyway. Last one there is the diseased doxy."

She leapt onto the first stair and began to run, Rose and Albus following. 

"I thought it was rotten egg." Laughed Albus as they descended the stairs at record pace. "Since when was 'diseased doxy' a term for 'loser'?"

"Don't diss my ingenuity." Maxine called back jokingly. " 'Diseased Doxy' is now a thing."

They reached the ground floor to almost take out a confused Stefan, who barely managed to say 'Merry Christmas' before being swept along with the rampaging trio, Maxine grabbing him by the arm and dragging him into the lounge with them. There was then an immediate dive for the stockings, Stefan surprised to find one for him there and enjoying the moment along with the others. And, of course, the stocking contents became breakfast as the group feasted on chocolate frogs, liquorice and other assorted confectionary by the Christmas tree. All had gone from relatively mature teenagers to excited kids, the feeling being infectious and even spreading to Harry and Ginny as Albus and Maxine chucked their parents the stockings destined for them. The only ones who didn't join in the immature merriment were James and his friend Josh, who turned up half an hour after the stocking explosion and chocolate breakfast wewring bored expressions and yawning, as if they were the tired parents. Maxine made this comment to Rose and they ended up comparing the two boys to pensioners, which of course, resulted in a whole lot of giggling - so much so, they couldn't explain it to Stefan, who just watched them laugh in a bemused manner.

After the first period of hyper excitement, things were calmed down so that the hot chocolates could be brought in without being thrown around the lounge - which unfortunately happened anyway to Lily's continuous bouncing. After that came the first period of present-opening. Rose was delighted with the beater gloves Maxine gifted her, Stefan amused at the fact Lily had bought him a skiving snack box in case he wanted to get out of class and Ginny touched by the garnet earrings her children and husband had clubbed together to buy. 

Maxine herself opened three presents; one from Rose, one from Fauna (given to her before their departure) and one from Teddy. Rose's give was a beautiful jewel-encrusted, deep blue peacock feather quill with its own supply of deep blue-green ink which Maixne hugged her profusely for. Fauna's a matching diary, complete with a lock and key and a floating voice which would tell anyone but her to 'kindly bugger off' if anyone but her tried to open it (Albus received the suprise of his life when inspecting the gift). And from Teddy, who was slightly strapped for cash, a set of violet and rose chocolates which had had the bargain sticker removed but tasted excellent.

Stefan, however, did not open hers, and Maxine did not open his. Both looked at each other and resolved to do it when things had calmed down. And preferably when they were alone - both were more personal gifts. 

Understanding this without even communicating, the two grinned at each other and then it was back to Christmas affairs - board games, of course; Maxine winning at Monopoly plus bankrupting James and Stefan faring just as well in snakes and ladders, defeats Josh first thing. Lily was a very good mascot to both, advising and egging Maxine on in monopoly and creating a chant for Stefan despite the board game being very calm (well, discounting Lily's involvement). Lunch came at one, all claiming they were 'famished' and digging right into the traditional spread of roast turkey, golden potatoes, gravy and more. The table was also very chaotic, though Harry and Ginny attempted to control it - Lily and Nina once again forming the centre for it and James and Josh brooding by themselves and sneaking glares again Maxine and Stefan. 

After lunch came another bout of presents, Maxine receiving a set of fictional books from Harry and Ginny, a jokey crystal ball from Lily and a scarf from Albus which was very pretty, Albus' good taste surprising her. She herself gave out more presents; a hair set to Lily, a new cloak to her father with ornate silver fastenings, confectionary to Albus. She looked at James at the end of the present-open session, having actually bought him a gift, but he simply glared at her with hostility and she left it, scowling back at him.

 As the wrappings were gathered up, Rose turned to Maxine with curiosity. "Max, haven't you got something fore Stefan?"

She hesitated, trying to think of the right way to answer. "I have." She admitted. "But I want to give it to him in private...it's something that only he would really understand."

Rose eyed Maxine in a way that confused her but answered pleasantly. "Ah right. Is he doing the same for you?"

She nodded - both she and Stefan had confirmed it by exchanging a look with each other. It was strange, she thought, how they were able to communicate so easily. Well, perhaps it was a sign of close friendship. She looked over at him and he turned his head at the same time, their gaze meeting. She smiled, getting up off the sofa and heading over to him. However, she didn't have a chance to speak to him as at that moment, Ginny came back into the room and announced; 

"Right guys - we're going to go out for a walk over to Uncle George's - who wants to come?"

Maxine looked at Stefan as the others in the room began to shout and grin, knowing that the walk was through muggle areas - not at all of limits to the  royals and not guarded. It wasn't safe for them to go, much as she wanted to. Stefan was shaking his head as well in agreement - they couldn't risk it. 

"Maxie? You coming?" Ginny approached her daughter. "Roxane would be glad to see you."

Maxine shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry but I don't think I will...I had a really bad nights sleep last night and even though it's not a long walk, I'd prefer to stay here."

"I'll stay with her as well." Stefan stepped closer to Maxine, almost protective.

Ginny looked from one to the other. "Ok then. You'll be on your own here, though - everyone else is coming."

"We'll be ok." Maxine said reassuringly. "You guys have fun."

Ginny smiled warmly. "We will. Just make sure you don't blow up the house whilst we're out."

Maxine laughed, Stefan replying charmingly; "We won't, Mrs P."

Ginny grinned at them once more, then turned away, the rest of the people in the room having got up and gena to get ready. Rose appeared in a few seconds, kitted out a hat and gloves and smiling, eyes sparkling with excitement. 

"I'm really looking forward to this." She said with a grin. "I can't wait to meet George Weasley - I've heard so much about him."

Maxine smiled at her friend. "He's awesome. You'll really enjoy it."

Rose paused, looking at the pair. "Wait - you're not coming?"

She shook her head. "Nah me and Stefan are staying here."

Rose looked from one to the other, then shrugged, not bothering to ask questions. "Wel, have a good time." She looked round, the turned back, grinning. "I'd better go. See ya!"

"Bye!" Stefan and Maxine called in unison, grinning at Rose ran into the hall and was immediately ambushed by Lily and Nina. 

"She's really enjoying her stay." Remarked Stefan with a smile.

Maxine laughed and nodded. "I think she really enjoys the company of Albus and Lily because she doesn't have any siblings of her own." She grinned and shrugged. "Takes them off my hands."

Stefan looked at her and chuckled. "Yup." He stirred, moving to face her. "Anyway, what d'you wanna do now that their gone?"

"Well we do have our presents." Maxine looked at where hers for Stefan sat under the tree, then back at him. "Shall we give them to each other?"

Stefan smiled. "Seems like a good time." He moved to retrieve his from beneath the Christmas tree, picking up a small, square package, Maxine doing the same before standing up and facing him, clutching her gift for him. They looked at each other, then she laughed almost embarrassedly, slightly nervous to see what he'd make of her present.

"Who's going first?" She asked, grinning at him.

He laughed. "Whoever you want."

"Ok, I'll go first." She said with a smile, moving to sit on the sofa and then handing her large, rectangular package to him. Sitting next to her, Stefan took it with a girn and began to unwrap it carefully after reading the label. His first tear revealed a shining silver frame and he slipped the item out of the packaging and holding it up to see. Maxkne chewed her lip nervously as he inspected it, praying that he liked it. A few seconds later he looked up from it, eyes wide in wonder.

"Max, did you draw this?" She nodded bashfully and his face broke into an amazed smile. "It's fantastic." He looked up at her. "Thank you so much." And with that he hugged her hard,mstill clutching the present in his hand.

You see, Maxine had gifted him a sketch of him - a very good sketch of him - a sketch that others wouldn't quite get. One side of his face in the picture was his normal expression, long solemn face shaded to perfection and grey eyes sensitive and slightly pained. But the other side - the other side was the other side of Stefan; face strong and eyes hard, pupils dilated to extremes to signify he had seen a Wesen. One side of him was his human self, the side everyone saw. The other side, with its different shading and impression of a strong, almost supernatural being, was his Grimm side. The side that had only really been seen by Maxine. The side of him Maxine was not so sure of and learning to trust. 

Stefan withdrew from the hug, eyes warm and affectionate as he regarded her. "I feel my present is unmatched now." He admitted, laughing embarrassedly. 

She shoved him playfully, eyes sparkling with happiness. "Don't be stupid. All presents are equal."

He grinned at her, holding out the small, square package out to her. "Here you go, then."

She smiled, taking it and tearing at the paper carefully, revealing a small black box. She could feel Stefan watching her closely as she opened it slowly, intrigued to see what was in there. At once he received the desire reaction - Maxine gasping at she laid eyes on the contents and looking up at him with disbelief.

"Stefan...I..." She looked back at the gift, still amazed. "It must have cost you so much."

"Nothing's to much for you." Was his soft answer - but she didn't hear him. She was still gazing at it.

Because Stefan had given her a necklace - but not just any necklace. A thin silver chain held a pendant centrepiece in the shape of a blooming flower. The petals were dark blue-violet like the leaves of a Mirtax plant and in the middle of the clustering petal lay a pearl - a pearl that strongly resembled that of the ice pearls which came from her plant; half see-through and a pure, sparkling white. She remembered his visit to the jewellers in the alley the previous day and realised he must have bought it then, this beautiful, shimmering representation of her favourite plant.

Tearing her eyes away from the necklace, she stared at him, then lunged forward, suddenly sweeping him into a hug. He laughed as she did so, joy breaking across his face as he embraced her in return. She laughed as well, then pulled out of it, smiling as she said; 

"Oh Stefan...it's so beautiful...thank you, oh thank you so much!" She hugged him again, Stefan smiling warmly.

"I'm glad you like it." He said, looking at her softly.

She looked at him, eyes still sparkling with amazement and joy. "I love it! Thank you so much!" She brushed the pendant with her finger. "I have to wear this to the ball."

Stefan smiled, then opened his mouth, as if stirred by the mention of the ball, but Maxine got there first, looking at him and grinning. "You'll come with me, won't you?"

Stefan's face was both surprised and touched, smiling at her softly. "Of course. Of course I will."

She grinned at him. "It's more fun going as friends anyway." She stood up, looking around. "Anyway, I'm just gonna go and put this in my room. Thank you so much again." She bent down and hugged him, smiling before she exited to the room.

She didn't notice the look on his face as it turned bitter. She didn't hear him sight as she left. She didn't hear the one word he said under his breath that echoed in his head.

Friends.