Between exams, quidditch practices, and last minute gift shopping, the winter holiday came up a lot quicker than Isabelle had expected. That's what she told herself anyways, while she hurriedly shoved the last of her clothes and toiletries in her suitcase, mere hours before her train departure, having long ago given up all sense of organization.
A light knock on the door interrupted Isabelle's packing. She let out a frustrated sigh before stomping over to the door and swinging it open, "What?"
Clary stood in front of the door, bewildered, one hand still half raised from her knock, "Hi...is this a bad time?"
"Oh, hi!" Isabelle's scowl formed into a bright smile and she pulled Clary into the room. She saw her friend warily eye the clothes strewn across the floor, "You can stay but we're going to have to talk as I pack."
Clary sat down on the edge of Izzy's bed, careful not to sit on any discarded sweaters, "Did you just start packing today?"
"That is neither here nor there," Isabelle said as she shoved a small handful of clothes into the bag.
"I just wanted to stop by before I left. To say goodbye and," Clary rummaged around in her bag, a small cheeky smile on her face as she removed something from its depths, "To give you this."
With wide eyes, Isabelle turned towards Clary, who held a wrapped parcel in her hands. Unable to speak, Isabelle carefully took the present from her and unwrapped it. Clary beamed as the other girl unwrapped a vibrant red scarf, made of the softest material she had ever felt.. Isabelle looked at the scarf, a warm feeling growing in her chest.
"Clary, I love it. Thank you." Her voice felt thick. Isabelle had never been one to have close friends. At least, not ones like Clary, who came out of their way just to say goodbye. None that kept her sane in the craziness that was becoming her life.
Clary's cheeks dimpled and her smile grew even wider, if that was possible, "I'm so glad you like it. I saw that it matched your necklace that you always wear and knew I had to get it for you. And," She added, "If anyone could pull off such a bright color, it would be you."
Isabelle laughed, feeling lighter than she had all semester. She set the scarf gently down on her suitcase and walked to her dresser, pulling out a wrapped gift for Clary, "Can't let you have all the fun, can I?"
She handed the package to Clary, pulling back as soon as the other girl held it. Clary made quick work in unwrapping the gift, not even trying to hide her excitement. Isabelle watched, a bit nervous about her new friends reaction to the gift.
Clary's small gasp brought a smile to Isabelle's face. Clary clutched her new leather sketchbook closely to her chest, beaming at Izzy, "This is beautiful. When did you get this?"
"A while ago," Isabelle shrugged. While she was shopping for her family's holiday gifts, she had seen the sketchbook and instantly thought of Clary. The girl's current book looked like it had seen better days. The bindings looked like they were about to fall apart and the cover itself was ripping in certain places. Isabelle thought that this new sketchbook looked much more professional, especially with the engraving of Clary's name on the bottom of the cover.
"Iz, thank you." Clary's large eyes were shining. She pulled Isabelle into a tight hug, trying to communicate how grateful she was that they were now friends.
Isabelle was the first to pull away but she was beaming, "Just be sure to draw me a wonderful portrait over break, yeah?" Clary nodded, absently thumbing the sketchbook. "Now, as much as I enjoy having you up here, you either need to help me pack or leave."
Clary glanced at her watch, thinking of her own small piles of unpacked belongings, "No, you're right, I do need to go. Gotta go catch the train." She paused before walking to the door, "Have a great holiday, Isabelle. I hope it is fantastic."
Tessa glanced at the three children in her office, as she moved about the room. The Lightwoods had their bags packed and were whispering among themselves. Despite their quiet voices, Tessa could sense the giddiness radiating off of them. She smiled to herself as she readied the fire. It was nice to finally see the kids with a little light in their eyes.
"Alright," She turned back to face them once the fire was blazing, "It's ready. Would I be correct in assuming that you all are familiar with traveling by Floo?"
The Lightwoods all nodded, exchanging smirks between them. Tessa shook her head slightly; she did not want to even imagine the kind of trouble they got into before coming to Hogwarts, their poor parents. She cleared her throat before continuing, "Alright, then you all best be on your way. I'm sure your parents are eagerly waiting for you."
Isabelle stepped forward and gave Tessa a quick hug, "Thank you for everything you've done, Professor Gray. I can't even begin to tell you how much it has meant to us. To me."
Tessa smiled, "Anything to help, my dear. Just...be careful when you're home, understand? Things are different now. Everyone is on edge because of these murders. There's no telling what people are willing to do."
The professor paused before holding out her little box of powder, "I think it's time. I hope you have a lovely holiday."
Alec stepped forward, toting his large bag behind him. He murmured a quiet, yet sincere "Thank you" to Tessa before throwing the powder into the flames. He stepped into the green flames, a bright smile on his face.
Jace followed his brother, holding not only his bag but the one that contained all of the gifts for the family. He gave a short wave to Tessa before disappearing into the flames.
Isabelle turned to Tessa before she climbed in the fireplace, "I meant it when I said we can't express how much it means to have you help us go home."
Tessa smiled warmly, "I know, dear. You don't need to thank me anymore." Isabelle made no effort to move. "It's time to see your family, Isabelle."
Isabelle turned to Tessa, panic evident in her dark eyes. She hesitated before the words tumbled out, "What if you're right? What if things are completely different now and going home isn't the same? I mean, we haven't really seen them since all this nonsense started."
"Isabelle," Tessa let out a quiet sigh, "Things aren't going to be the same. But that doesn't mean that it will ruin your holiday. The rumors going around are not going to affect the way you all celebrate. I'm sure it will be that much better, in fact, since you will all be together to face the world together."
The girl nodded firmly, despite the crease that lingered between her brows. She thanked Gray again and before she could second guess herself again, grabbed a handful of powder. Isabelle stepped into the fireplace, and threw her powder. The last thing she saw before the green flames devoured her vision was Tessa smiling sadly at her.
"Izzy!" She had only a second to react before Max threw himself at her, wrapping his small arms around her waist in a hug.
She let out a loud laugh, the knot of tension in her chest easing, "Hey, Max!"
Maryse stepped forward from where she had been embracing Jace, "Welcome home, Isabelle."
Isabelle gently untangled Max's arm from around her and moved to hug Maryse, "Hello, Mum. Happy Christmas."
Maryse kissed her cheek, "Happy Christmas, my dear." She pulled back, a sad smile gracing her face, "I'm glad you're here."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Isabelle adjusted her bag on her shoulder and looked around, "Where's Dad?"
Max spoke, still hovering near Isabelle, "He's in the study. He's been in there all day." Isabelle glanced up at Maryse, who merely gave her a tight smile.
"Why don't you drop your things in your room? We can sit down and have nice family meal when you're all settled?" Maryse suggested. Though she was unsure if her mother genuinely wanted to give her time to settle or if she was merely avoiding discussing why their father spent the entire day in the study, Isabelle simply nodded before picking up her bags.
Isabelle made her way through the familiar hallways, ones she could probably navigate through in her sleep. She trailed her fingers along the walls as she walked, relishing in the different bumps and curves that came from the hardwood detail. It was funny; she had never missed the Lightwood Manor in all her years at Hogwarts. She barely missed her family, aside from maybe Max. There had always been too much to do, too many adventures to be had to miss home. But now that Isabelle was back home, she wanted to take it all in, appreciate every little detail in the house that she had overlooked before. She shook her head as she reached her room. No matter how much she loved their home, Isabelle couldn't imagine being stuck inside the grounds for months on end.
She opened the door with a grin. Her bedroom, the dark walls glittering like the night sky, was exactly the way she had left it. Down to the pile of clothes that Izzy had neglected to properly put away before she left for school. Though she loved the girls that she shared a dorm with at school, nothing could top her personal space at home. She took a deep breath before dropping her bags on the floor.
There really wasn't anywhere quite like home and right now, she couldn't imagine being anywhere else.
For the past five years, Clary and Simon spent the winter train ride together, both teeming with excitement to be away from schoolwork for just a little bit. It was tradition for them to exchange Christmas gifts with each other during the last ten minutes on the train. However, this year the pair of friends sat in separate compartments. As Clary was boarding, she saw Simon sitting with a group of Hufflepuffs, laughing as though nothing was wrong in the world.
Absently, she fingered the wrapped gift in her purse. She had spent months looking for some sort of wizard comic that Simon could add to his ever-growing collection. Luckily, tucked away in a back corner of Tomes and Scrolls, was a magical version of Simon's favorite muggle comic, where the comic strips moved the same way that magical pictures did.
"Hey, are you alright?" Tally Nu asked, taking notice of Clary's unusual quietness.
Clary glanced up, forgetting that she was surrounded by other people for a second. She sat in a train compartment with most of the Gryffindor quidditch team. Ted, Helene, and Gale were all in the midst of an animated conversation and Maia was scribbling away in a journal. Tally, who had been alternating between dozing off and talking with the others gave the older girl a look of concern.
"I'm good."
Tally bit her lip and hesitated before asking, "Is it the whole Simon thing?"
Clary shifted in her seat, well aware of quiet that settled over the compartment. Maia spoke up, leaning forwards, "We're not blind, Clary. We've all noticed how much this has been affecting you."
"I'm f-" Clary started but Maia cut her off with a scoff.
"You're not fine, Clary. You're not." Clary's face dropped at her harsh tone and Maia's gaze softened, "And it's fine that you're not okay. No one is upset with you for that. But we would at least think that you would lean on us if you're going having a hard time.
"We're your teammates, Clary. We're your family."
Clary looked around the compartment; Maia was staring earnestly at her while the other four gave her sheepish, but sincere smiles. Tally nudged her gently.
She cleared her throat, surprised by the familiar prickling of tears in her eyes, "I don't really know what to say. But thank you. I'm sorry I've been distant lately. And I'm sorry for not coming to you guys. I guess I'm just so used to it just being me and Simon that I forgot I have other people. That I have you guys."
Any tension that was in the compartment lifted and Maia beamed, "Then get over here. If I remember correctly, you still owe me a game of Exploding Snap."
Clary laughed as Ted called playing winner, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. Things may be different this year, but she supposes that it doesn't mean that she needed to be miserable. Especially when you had such amazing friends.
