Ch 1 A Red Christmas

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

The green tree stood second to the Eiffel Tower in height, but the tower was lacking the shine the tree could bring to many hearts. The star shining at the very top was a light of hope itself. The tree was decorated with glass ornaments shaped in tears as light seem to bless the tree itself.

A small boy sat at the bench, his back to the tree where many children would drag their family to watch. The boy's black hair covered most of his face. If you looked closely, you could see his green eyes. He was dressed in oversized clothes and sat alone in the cold with his arms wrapped around his shoulders. It was cold tonight; snow had started to fall for it graced the ground with its presence.

A white Christmas for all.

The boy was alone; he didn't hear the echoes of heels on the brick pathway. "Are you okay?" A young lady who looked no older than twenty asked, her hands placed on her knees as she leaned in to view the small boy who she made out to be no older than ten. It was a startling when he looked up to her. She felt drawn into those green eyes. The boy looked startled as much as her, his lips were pale.

He stared at her.

Not saying a word.

"Come on, it's Christmas," she said. Her hand fell above the boy's cold hand; he had been out here for a long time. A gentle pull got the boy off the bench and into the café nearby.

The boy was on the bench, cold; and sleep was all he wanted for he loved the allure of feeling nothing but the peace sleep gave him. "Are you ok?" A soft voice called out to him; he looked up to the young lady no older than twenty. Her warm hazel eyes filled with compassion for him. She wore a smile with a French beret covering her head; while the ends of her blonde hair were flipped dancing off to the sides of her heart-shaped face. Maybe she was cold but she had rosy cheeks. "Come on, it's Christmas," she said. Her warm hands touched his cold hands, dragging him from the spot he couldn't move on from into the unknown that was ahead.

She pulled him to the table and pushed him to take a seat. "Don't go anywhere." Her voice was playful even though she was trying to be strict which didn't match the smile, she wore.

The boy stayed where he was told having nowhere else to go. Laughter drew his attention to the ice rink. People were skating around in a large circle around the ice rink. They skated with family, friends, and relatives for tonight, one night and only one night, the harsh world would it disappear for just this magical night.

His attention was drawn back to the sound of plates that were placed onto the table. One plate for the both of them covered with pancakes with a cup of orange juice for him while the lady ordered coffee for herself. They ate in silence; she watched him making sure he finished before pushing a second plate toward him. The boy looked up to her, and she smiled. "No point in wasting good food."

The boy blinked twice lost in her kind gesture.

"I'm full," she added to help get rid of any hesitation the boy had.

When her cup was half empty she did get up, took off her coat, and wrapped it around the boy. Money was placed on the table. "I'm sorry, but I have to leave." Her voice was sad, but she wanted to sound cheerful for him which she couldn't do. "When you're done give the money to the man over there." She pointed to the cashier. "I have to go." She hugged him for a long minute before slowly letting go. "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," she said. She walked away, looking back before closing the door behind her. Now clad only in a purple turtleneck sweater, she went out into the world.

A small whisper came out too late from the boy, "Thank you."

A few minutes later, putting in a bite now and then, the boy was paying more attention to the empty seat in front of him than his meal. He could still see her warm smile and the caring attention she gave him lingered in his mind. The boy having no reason to stay got up with the money in his left hand; he pushed the money toward the man at the counter before leaving.

"Wait!" The boy heard. "She already paid." The man handed back the money which was a few hundred dollars plus along it came a doggy bag with a note attached to the top. It read:

"May this help you."

A single tear escaped him; he walked away leaving the warmth of the café. It was less cold now with the coat she had given him.

'Ring,' he heard once from the pocket. He searched the pockets to find a phone. She had left her cell phone. He wanted to give her phone back but didn't know where she was. A quick flash purple caught his attention; he ran to catch her, slipping into the snow but got up nevertheless. The boy didn't question himself on what he saw for he ran to catch her. All in his mind lost in thought of catching up to her. Down the streets he went taking random turns until he saw her again. She walked wearing her purple turtleneck and was a street away from him. She took a turn down an alley; he followed. It was a short passageway to the next street. She was a few meters away, so he wanted to shout to get her attention, but was out of breath. This prevented his attempts.

Gun loaded and aimed at the tail that followed the man. A recruit no doubt, wearing such a bright color. Purple. A bright color shade which can be lavender. It was almost sad. Such a pretty girl had to die. Better her than him.

A man dressed in a black suit was the first person the boy saw once through the alley. The man to his left was three meters behind the young lady, gun drawn at her back.

The boy looked from the man to the lady before running in between them. She didn't see or hear the boy or the man who would take her life.

Bam! The sound of that rang through the boy's ears deafened him, but he felt the sharp pain before falling into the cold red snow. His eyes felt heavy, but he opened to see the young lady who has shown him so much kindness, and her beauty matched that of an angel. An angel was what she was to him.

She was crying something he didn't think was possible. Why was she crying? Her hands held his close to her face; her mouth opened and closed. She was saying something to him. Cruel fate won't let the boy hear her. The boy's eyes closed for the last time that night.