Okay, this is for the 25 Days of Christmas challenge on the Next-Gen Fanatics forum. I own nothing except for Frankie Longbottom.

Day One - December 1st

main prompt: gingerbread

pairing/character: james the second

additional prompts: possibility ;; linger ;; tree


James always loved the Great Hall during Christmastime. He knew it wasn't very manly to admit that but that was why he kept the thought to himself. His seventh year he found himself standing just within the doors, admiring how everything was this last time he'd get to enjoy it. Professor Flitwick and Professor Jordan were decorating the tree Hagrid had brought in. The room was filled with all kinds of holiday scents including gingerbread, his personal favorite. He'd have to stop by the kitchens later and see if he could get the house elves to give him some to take back to the dormitories.

"Jamie, what you up to?"

He spun around to find Frankie standing behind him, a curious look on her face. Her long dark hair was pulled up with a bright red ribbon that looked as festive as any of the decorations in the room. She was wearing the green sweater his gran had knitted for her last Christmas; he couldn't help but smile at that. Some of his cousins complained about the sweaters but she wore them with pride and she wasn't even part of the family, at least not technically. The Longbottoms were always invited to family gatherings despite the lack of blood relations.

"Not much. Just watching the decorations being put up. What about you?"

"Looking for you," she replied simply, leaning against him for a minute. He had to admit he liked the lingering feeling he got when she was next to him. He'd been harboring a crush on the younger girl for quite some time though he'd told no one yet. "I wonder if they're going to hang up mistletoe this year." His eyes flicked down to her face quickly, caught completely off guard by the statement. He could've sworn he'd seen the faintest flicker of mischief in her eyes before she said, "Well, I guess I'll see you later, Jamie."

He watched as she walked away, almost with a little bounce to her step as she walked down the hall. Maybe this holiday would be when he finally told her. Oh, the possibilities.