That night, we all learned of the attack on Justin and Nearly Headless Nick. Hogwarts flew into a frenzy. Now everyone was trying to head home for Christmas.
Cedric must've known I wouldn't be on the train, but he didn't come and force me to go home like he would've done just 5 months ago.
Everyone now felt like Draco did. That Harry was guilty.
Except people close to him.
The twins mocked him, but Ginny didn't laugh as I did. I rolled my eyes when she whined about it. I believed Harry- and I knew Draco was being a twit saying Harry was the bad guy. But c'mon.
My life was so much worse then hers- but I tried to lighten up. It was the holiday season for crying out loud!
On Christmas morning, I woke up with Ginny poking me lightly.
I got tangled in the sheets when I saw her face so close to mine and shrieked, rolling off the bed.
She laughed. "Merry Christmas to you too, Dee."
"Merry bahumbug…ha-ha." I stood up, untangling myself, and spoke sarcastically. "Merry…Merry Christmas!" I suddenly realized it was today.
I jumped around and rushed down the stairs to the common room where under the tree a few presents awaited.
I ripped them open. Gifts from Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, the other Weasley's…no family gifts.
Ginny came over and saw my face. "Dee…" she started.
"I don't want your pity." I snapped.
Just then, Cedric's owl flew to me and dropped off a large package.
I ripped it open.
A note fluttered out; Denise,
Sorry you couldn't make it home for the holidays. It won't be the same. Study hard, play hard- Mum & Dad.
I turned it over and flipped it back over. I went through the package, yanking out assorted candies and the new poster of my favorite muggle "actor." That was it? No mention of Cedric? No love? No questions…some food and a lousy poster.
I usually got something amazing- like a signed jersey from my favorite Quidditch team- or a photo album or a camera…anything was better then an immobile poster.
Merry Christmas.
But dinner was a bit nicer, and raised my spirits.
Christmas trees covered in frost, streamers of holly, mistletoe…the singing of carols…eggnog…It was all festive and happy- even better then Halloween.
From Gryffindor table, I heard Draco bragging about his gifts. I'd see him personally in a bit- when everyone went to bed. Secret relationships were so hard at times.
After Hermione, Harry and Ron left, I chirped about tales of my past Christmas' while we helped ourselves to Christmas pudding.
Fred and George came over and George kissed Ginny's cheek as a hello.
Fred did the same to me- my cheek, then forehead.
"Fred." I giggled. He kissed my neck and George and Ginny sat wide-eyed.
"Fred!" Ginny exclaimed.
Fred moved closer to my lips.
"Fred!" George yelled.
Fred got off me immediately. "Oh no…sorry…" He turned pink. "Forget it happened."
"Don't have the faintest idea what you're referring too- right, everyone?" I winked.
He let out a ragged breath. I know, or thought, if Cedric were here, he'd have shoved Fred and accused him of sexually assaulting me.
Draco looked at me from across the room, clutching his drink so tightly- I thought it'd break.
I glanced away. And laughed, mocking Percy secretly with the four of us.
Soon enough, Draco left- about half an hour after Goyle and Crabbe had left.
I left an hour after Draco had.
"Night." I told them, getting up.
"Merry Christmas 'Nise." They smiled sincerely.
"You too." I smiled back.
I rushed up to the tower to get my present for Draco from under my pillow and rushed down to the damp, bare stretch of wall that served as the Slytherin entrance.
"Pureblood." I spoke, confident.
"Azkaban." I heard.
"Merry Christmas!" I ran up and full-on kissed Draco- hoping he'd forgotten the Fred incident.
Crabbe and Goyle looked mortified.
Draco put his arm around me as I settled onto his lap.
"Why do you two look sick? You know Denise."
"Ho…" Crabbe suddenly dashed out, Goyle at his heels.
"They're so weird." Draco shook his head.
I looked above me and saw mistletoe. I pecked Draco on the lips- turning his focus to me.
"Merry Christmas." I handed him the box. It was a photo album, only a dozen or so pictures of us- room for more in the future.
He didn't open it. "I have something for you too." He reached into his pocket and gave me a small box.
I took it.
"On the count of three…one…two…three!" we ripped off the paper. I opened the box. Inside were changing pearl earrings- depending on your mood, and a locket. Engraved with- I love you, and inside a heart were our initials- D.D & D.M. The message changed every few seconds- back and forth. I opened the gold locket and there was a picture of Draco coming up behind me and kissing my hair as he enveloped me in a hug from behind, wrapping his arms around me torso. In it, I was surprised- but had a huge smile on my face. I looked at the box again. A bracelet was there. A charm bracelet. One charm was on it- a castle- a mini replica of Hogwarts.
"It represents where we got to know each other our first year. Hogwarts. Each year we're together, you'll get a new charm." he explained.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
"I love it."
He held out his hand and I put the locket in it and turned and lifted up my hair as he put it around my neck and fastened the tiny clasp. I put on the bracelet and earrings- and the earrings suddenly turned purple- love.
He spoke. "I love your gift too. Must've taken forever to do it."
I shrugged. Yeah. It had. No big deal though.
"These pieces of jewelry must've cost a lot."
"So?"
I smiled, and it reached my eyes. "Merry Christmas." I snuggled into his arms. He kissed my forehead.
"Goodnight Denise."
