Wow, So many Reviews! I am super happy! Thank you to everyone that gave me a review! I do, however need help with something else! You see, I am at a bit of an impasse... I have one vote for each of the three choices on my poll... ^-^'

Oh! Also, more than one review has mentioned that my time-line is off. I know I mentioned it before, but I thought I might mention it again, for those who didn't see it. I did change up the time-line a bit to work with this story. I know that Tom was supposed to be in school with Hagrid 50 or so years before Harry, but I did change that for the sake of this story.

I may eventually post up my time-line that I have (its got a bunch of minor details as well) but I doubt it would make much sense. I have a weird mind, and it reflects that! Lol

Also sorry it has taken me so long to update, but I have been super busy at work (I get really busy around any holiday and for a week or so after) and haven't had time to write much more than a few paragraphs here and there!

Chapter 9

Allura Bryant had always been an early riser, and Christmas had never been an exception. However her opinion of early and Narcissa's had always seemed to differ. Her's being the crack of dawn, and Narcissa's being the crack of noon. So on the few occasions when Narcissa seemed to wake earlier than her, it always surprised her tremendously. However, she and the others had stayed up very late the night before, talking about the upcoming O.W.L.S, and as such she had decided to give herself a bit of a day off, and sleep in a bit longer on Christmas.

Sadly however, her plans were abolished when she found herself flopping out of bed and falling abruptly face first, onto the floor. Groaning in pain, Ally rolled onto her back and opened her eyes; the sight that greeted her had her growling and closing her eyes in frustration.

Narcissa was laying on her bed, peering at her from over the side of it. The only probable conclusion had to be that in an attempt to wake her up, she had jumped onto the bed beside her, effectively knocking her off onto the floor. Opening her eyes, Ally's suspicions were confirmed by the sheepish look covering Narcissa's face. "Um, Happy Christmas?"

Ally wasn't amused by the other girls attempt at an apology, when the words hit her. It was Christmas, which meant presents and food. While the former would easily get her out of bed, because after all, who doesn't like a good present, it was the latter that had her standing up. She found that she was starving, and the thought of Christmas breakfast sounded very appealing. Her plans for this however were killed when Cissa started leading her over to the stack of presents.

Cissa squealed in joy as she dove into the presents and started opening them, while Ally watched in amusement. Ally sat down and watched the other girl plow through all the presents from her family and noticed she set aside the ones from her Tom and Lucius. When she had opened the last present, which had been one from her mother, Cissa turned to look at the girl beside her and frowned. "You haven't even started yet!"

Ally chuckled. "I only have the three and I was waiting for you! I figured we could open ours together." she said indicating the three presents Cissa had set aside.

Cissa nodded and together they both grabbed Lucius' presents, and opened them on the count of three. Ally stared in awe at the item that lay in the small box before her. It was a beautiful but intricately woven charm bracelet. Further inspection showed a single charm on the bracelet, the Slytherin Crest. She picked it up reverently and put it on, finding that it was the perfect fit. She looked up to see Cissa staring down into her own box, still clutching onto the lid.

Smiling, she knew what the other girl was looking at. It was a necklace on a delicate silver chain, leading down to a single jewel. An emerald in the shape of a teardrop. It was simply beautiful, and nothing like Luc's usual flashy style. She had helped him pick out the perfect one for the other girl, knowing that it was more likely to stand out to her than his usual gifts.

Cissa looked up at her with tears in her eyes. "Oh my God. It's beautiful!" Ally moved over and took the necklace from its container and helped the other girl put it on. She rolled her eyes as Cissa ran to the closest mirror to look at it. Of course it suited her perfectly. Sitting back down the two girls smiled and grabbed for the next presents; Tom's gifts' to them. Again, the girls counted to three and opened their boxes.

Ally stared down in confusion. She looked at the wrappings, and sure enough, it wasn't the paper she had used, but nestled neatly in a box was the exact same book she had purchased for Tom; Moste Potente Potions. She looked over at the other girl who had received a book as well. Cissa chuckled and mumbled out something that sounded strangely like 'silly Tom and his books' before she looked over at Ally. Seeing Ally's confused look, Cissa became quite curious, and peered into the other girls box before bursting out into laughter.

"Only you and Tom would get each-other the exact same item for Christmas. Well, they do say great minds think alike, and you and Tom are the top of the class." She burst into giggles again.

After what seemed like ages, Cissa was able to stop laughing, and the two girls picked up the last presents. Their gifts to each-other. With a silent nod the two girls opened their gifts together and both gasped in awed surprise. Ally looked down at a wide assortment of pencils and notebooks and other various drawing papers. She remembered telling Cissa that she really missed being able to draw, because she had left all her art supplies at home. Cissa, it seemed had decided to help remedy the problem and had gotten her a brand new set.

Meanwhile Narcissa was looking down at her own gift. It was an intricately carved and painted box. It looked similar to her mother's jewelery box, but she somehow knew it was different. She turned the key that was on the box and smiled as she saw the charm that had been placed on the box. While it was a small box, the inside was vast, with many different compartments. "It's a keepsake box. For all the items Luc has gotten you."

Cissa looked at the box for a moment longer before jumping at Ally and giving her a huge hug, which Ally readily returned. The two girls' hug however was interrupted by a strange rumbling. Ally looked down sheepishly at her stomach.

"I think its time to meet up with the boys and get us some breakfast." said Narcissa. Ally agreed wholeheartedly.

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Narcissa and Ally walked into the Great Hall to join the other early risers partaking in Christmas breakfast. Among them were Professors Dumbledore and Dippet as well as both Tom and Lucius. The two latter boys indicated to the spots they had saved for the girls. As the two girls situated themselves Ally looked at Tom who had moved a book to the side, that looked suspiciously like the one she had gotten him.

Turning away before he noticed her staring, she found herself looking at Lucius. Something seemed different about him. Getting ready to ask Cissa if she knew what was going on, she noticed the other girl stifling her laughter. It was then that it hit her. Cissa's present to Luc was beauty products; apparently he had decided to make use of them. His hair and skin were both slightly shinier, as though he had put something on them. She also noticed him going on about how wonderfully useful her gift was to him.

Looking back at Tom, she watched him shake his head in amused annoyance before he leaned over and whispered in her ear. "He used her gift right away thinking it meant she thinks he doesn't look good enough or something. Bloody wanker; everyone knows he looks fine."

Tom however couldn't help but feel a little worried when Ally, who was looking at him, started to get a strange smirk on her face. "Does our little Tommy-boy have himself a bit of a crush on Luc?"

Flustered, Tom sat there blinking at her before turning back to his book and doing some more reading. Chuckling quietly to herself, Ally contented herself with eating her breakfast in silence.

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Tom found himself watching Allura out of the corner of his eye. She seemed happy enough to eat her breakfast quietly, but he found himself wondering about the comment she had made about him and Luc. He wasn't all that worried about it, because she had obviously been joking, and though he hadn't denied it, he was comfortable enough in the knowledge that he and Luc had no feelings for each-other that he didn't worry others would say it either. He knew Luc really couldn't care less what others thought of him, Narcissa not being added into the others category of course.

Unfortunately he did find himself worrying what Ally thought of him, and it was very alarming to him. Never before had he really cared much about what others thought of him. So what made her so different? Why would he care whether or not she thought he might have a thing for another boy. He didn't hold it against others for having such feelings, and though he wasn't sure, he figured she probably didn't since she seemed to genuinely like everyone.

Tom was so lost in thought he didn't even notice that he had looked up at Ally and had been staring at her. It wasn't until she spoke up that he noticed it. "Hey, are you ok?"

Raising an eyebrow, Tom looked away. "What do you mean?"

"Well you were looking in my general direction. and it looked as though you were contemplating the chemical composition and makeup of the air itself, down to the very last molecule."

Tom turned and stared at her in confusion. "What?"

"You were staring off into space."

Understanding dawned on Tom. "Oh, sorry, I was lost in thought. Just so you know, you come up with the strangest analogies." Ally grinned before digging back into her breakfast.

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The rest of the morning passed fairly uneventfully. The four friends, hung out both inside and out, though they did spend relatively less time outdoors than in. They had started to talk about presents, and it was then that the boy's found out about Ally's art. They had wanted to see examples but she told them to wait until she had drawn something first. So they had gone back to chatting with each-other over their presents and Luc officially learned that his gift from Cissa was a joke. He had taken it in stride though, because as he pointed out, he was wearing her gift proudly just as Cissa was wearing his.

This had of course in-sued a bout of witty banter on Luc's and Cissa's part, as well as a debate between Ally and Tom about whom was prettier, Cissa or Luc. Upon hearing their discussion, Luc joined in to give ample evidence as to why he should win. This time it was Cissa who hit Luc upside the head.

The rest of the day passed fairly quietly after that. Mostly in part to the fact they they were some of the only students who had stayed behind. Cissa and Luc had been accosted by letters from their families of course, both saying Happy Christmas as well as stating their disappointment that they didn't come home for the Holidays. However they took it in stride, and just laughed it off saying they would rather be at Hogwarts.

By the time midnight rolled around, none of them knew where the day had gone, and they found themselves heading off to bed. Ally however made a bee-line for the door to the hallway. Cissa didn't seem all that surprised, but Tom however couldn't help but worry. Heading out the door after her Tom found himself being stopped. Looking over he saw Cissa holding onto his arm, preventing him from leaving. Shaking her head at him, she said nothing, but he got the message just as clearly as though he had heard it. 'Leave the girl alone'. Frowning, he turned back and reluctantly followed Lucius into their dorm.

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Ally had just made it up the last step of the staircase, and into Astronomy tower. She was tired, but she knew she had one thing left to do before she went to bed. Pulling out the single candle, she cast a quick spell. The tip of the candle lit up, before settling down into a sedate but steady flame. Smiling, she set it on the edge of the balcony, and watched it burn for a moment. It was tradition after all. A smile came over her face, as a single tear could be tracked falling down the left side of her face.

Turning around Ally headed back the way she came, and as she stood for a moment in the doorway of the tower, she couldn't help but feel as though she was entering a new chapter of her life. "Happy Christmas Harry." echoed through the room as Ally looked back at the candle. Smiling once again, she walked out of the room and off to bed. And as she climbed into bed and drifted off, so did the candle's flame. As sleep overcame her, the candle could be found sputtering out; at the end of its life.

I know its a short chapter, but as I said last time I put one out, I figure you guys would rather have a short one to know I am still alive, than nothing. Anyways, Thanks so much once again to my reviewer's, also, Please vote in my poll, the chapter where that info is coming up very shortly, and I really don't know where to Send Ally!

Anywho, thanks once again to all my faithful readers and reviewer's. I literally cried this time around. I don't normally get super emotional, but I got so many that I couldn't help it! So I just wanted to add a personal note, saying that I am super happy people really enjoy my story! Reviewers and those that wait in eager anticipation are the reason I keep writing! Lol

~DL ^_^