Updated Overview…

(But really more of an explanation.)

I wrote most of this story when I was 15/16 (2003). I added one more chapter after the epilogue when I was in college. Now I am back again in 2018 and, though I'm getting old, I'm feeling festive and would love to finish this story. Feel free to LOL at my enthusiastic sophomore-in-high-school author notes at the end of every chapter. I could go through and delete them but, I've decided to leave them for... Memories? Laziness? Lol Idk

Another disclaimer: When I started this story, Half Blood Prince had not even been released yet. The events and pairings are very unrealistic in terms of the events of the series. Also, like I said, I was 15. If you are going to leave a review telling me this would never happen... Don't. And don't say I didn't warn you. Just enjoy it for what it is; a Christmas love story to put you in the holiday spirit. Enjoy! Xox

~Jenna

(A/n- I don't own any Harry Potter characters or any of the Christmas songs used in this chapter, or this whole story for that matter. *Thanks*)

"Outside the winter seems so cold

Your heart is frozen like the snow

And there's no one home to keep you safe and warm

Your eyes are red because you've cried

You fell asleep by the fireside

But there's one thing you should know

On this Christmas, Baby

You don't have to be alone"

~From The movie soundtrack of,

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas~

*Chapter 1*

~Silent Night~

"Oh, The weather outside is frightful... but the fire is so delightful... And since we've no place to go... Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..."

The happiest thing one could possibly see on Christmas Eve is a group of lifelong friends reunited for the holidays. After a day spent catching up, they decided to go out caroling door to door, just to spend time together and to help spread holiday cheer.

Almost every friend had a significant other. Paired up were Hermione and Ron, George and Angelina, Fred and Parvati, Harry and Luna, and Neville and Susan. Then there was Ginny who, unfortunately, didn't have a love of her own. Though she longed for a strong relationship like those of her friends, she usually did not let it get her down. She was busy studying to become a healer, had a very small but cozy flat of her own, and the time and energy she did not put toward studying was spent with her family and friends. Keeping busy kept her content with the way things were.

"Well, we finally kissed goodnight. How I hate going out in the storm, but if you really hold me tight... all the way home I'll be warm..."

Just as they finished dinner at Angelina's house, where they were all staying for the holidays, it began to snow. They donned their warmest coats, mittens and hats, and set out into the winter's night. All the couples were holding holding hands, and Ginny led the pack in front, holding a single lit candle.

"The fire is slowly dying, and my dear we're still goodbye-ing... But as long as you love me so... Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..."

They had visited countless houses, greeting their neighbors with one energetic song after the next. Everyone was glad to see a group of young people taking part in such an old festive tradition.

About a mile away from their starting point, the distance between houses had begun to grow. They were walking out of the suburbs and approaching the countryside. They decided that after they visited the next house in the distance, it would be time to turn around and carol their way back home.

They talked and laughed until they arrived at their furthest stop, when the sight of the massive white mansion in front of them took their breath away. It didn't have any holiday decorations, but the real icicles hanging from the roof and the sparkling snow on the bushes gave it a certain elegance.

The friends walked up the steps and gathered on the front porch. They knocked once and waited for footsteps inside the house.

"Maybe no one is home."

"It looks like a fire is lit. There must be at least someone here."

They were just about to knock a second time when they heard the click of the lock being turned. As the door started to open, Ginny began their chosen song with a solo.

"I'll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me." As she sang, she looked up at the face of the person who stepped through the door and his face was immediately recognizable, even only lit by the soft glow of one candle. "Please have snow and mistletoe and presents by the tree..." At that moment she was thankful that it was time for the rest of the group to join in, because once Draco Malfoy's eyes met hers, suddenly she could no longer find her voice.

It was the sight of his sad gray eyes, that looked red and puffy, which pierced her heart all the way through."Was he crying?" she thought. She looked straight into his eyes and he gazed back into hers. This was the first time she had been near him in years, and the first time ever that she had seen him without his usual bravado. His gaze filled her with the feeling that he was trying to speak to her, pleading with her. Beside her she heard her friends start on the second verse of the song.

She could tell then that he was alone. There was no one else in that big house, and there was not going to be. Ginny felt as if she could see right into his soul, and hear everything he was trying to say to her, though he said nothing at all.

She realized the others were nearing the end of their carol. "Christmas Eve will find me… where the love light gleams..."

Since she began with the solo, it was also up to her to sing the final line. "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams ..." She finished softly.

They all stood silently not knowing what to say. Right before they were about to leave, Draco broke the silence, "Thanks, that was... much needed." There was not any sarcasm or bitterness in his tone. They all smiled at Draco, though some of their smiles were strained. They started down the steps of the house beginning their friendly chatter once more, but Ginny lingered where she was. She heard one of the twins ask, "Did you even know he lived over here?" before they got too far away for her to hear a response.

Ginny turned to him and boldly took his hand in hers. "Merry Christmas, Draco," she said earnestly, squeezing his hand tightly in her mitten. He merely nodded and she noticed a single tear slip out the corner of his eye. She smiled faintly, let go of his hand and turned to leave. She heard the door creak softly and click shut behind her.

She heard squeals and laughter in the distance, and looked in the direction it was coming from. She watched Neville pelt Ron in the head with a snowball, and saw that Parvati had shoved Fred down into the snow. Luna pulled herself out of Harry's grasp, and laughed as she picked clumps of snow out of her long blonde hair. "Ginny! Are you coming? You're missing all the fun!" Luna yelled from the edge of the street. As soon as she was done talking, she immediately picked up a handful of snow and chucked it at George and Angelina who were kissing off to the side. She hit George in the back of the head, making them jump apart and join the snowball fight for revenge.

Ginny sighed and answered quietly to herself, "Yeah, I'll be right there..." She glanced back at Draco's house one more time. She saw him pass by the front window, silhouetted by the glowing fireplace within. She walked down the steps looking at her feet and kicking at the cold snow, "I wouldn't want to be the one to miss out on the fun..."

(A/n- Hey! This is my Christmas-fic (well...duh) I think it should be about 3 or 4 chapters, but I say that about everything. The truth is I have no clue how long it will be! Hahah! I know that this was a short chapter, but I thought that was a good ending. And I know that there was some strange pairings among the group of friends, I just wanted to be different I guess. Check for updates soon. Merry (early) Christmas and please review, think of it as an early Christmas gift to me. PLEEEASE!)

~Sincerely,

*Jenna*