This is a short update, but I'm hoping my next chapter will make up for it. Hope you enjoy!
My eyes fluttered open. It was pitch black and snow was drifting down, insulating me from the world outside of my family home. The clock on my nightstand informed me that it was now Christmas morning. A glance into the frozen world outside made me nestle further into the radiant warmth of my covers.
Just as I felt my body melt back into the sheets, two sharp pecks sounded at my window.
I squeezed my eyes hoping I had dreamed it, but when I opened them again I could see the smear of a white owl hovering outside my window. With a sigh I sat up and slipped my feet into the fleece slippers waiting by my bedside to let the shivering creature in.
My eyes touched on the cards from Angelina and Alicia standing on my bedside table and I wondered if my Great Aunt Tilly had forgotten to send gifts until the last minute again. It happened almost every year and the gifts were always a thoughtless sweep to send off and fulfill whatever obligation she felt to our family. One year everyone got a different used doily and another involved a packet of quills in various states of repair.
The pecks came again with greater urgency as I laid my hand on the latch.
The owl looked relieved as it flew in through the window and dropped a letter with a small package on my bed. I brought my water glass over to where it perched on my dresser and left it to sort out its plumage and shake off the flakes that had accumulated while waiting at my window. I picked up the card first and saw that it was addressed to me in a stout hand with thick lines. Definitely not Aunt Tilly.
I slit open the top with curiosity and was surprised to find a picture of Oliver and I. The photo-Oliver waved with enthusiasm holding a broom, while the photo-me sent him bashful sidelong looks, also waving. There was writing on the back.
"Bell, I hope this finds you through the snow. Colin Creevy took this last year and I thought I'd share it to remind you that we will win the cup this year!"
I had the distinct feeling that there was something his pen had left out. Did this count as strictly quidditch-related? I closed my eyes and the scene from the Three Broomsticks replayed in my mind. Oliver had pulled the sack from Quality Quidditch Supplies closer to prevent George from peeking. My eyes landed on the package wondering what no-doubt-quidditch-related item lay inside.
It was wrapped with crisp folds in brown paper and red string. He probably paid someone from Quality Quidditch Supplies to do it, but the effect was inviting.
Allowing myself to feel at least a little delighted to have received this unexpected gift in the early hours in the privacy of my own room, I took my time in undressing the package and trying to imagine the look on Oliver's face when he had bought it. I wondered if the shop girl that gave him the flirty eyes helped him and casually asked about a girlfriend as he paid. What did he tell her? I grinned to myself.
Inside were two quidditch gloves stacked on top of one another. My name and position were stitched into the wrists in fine gold thread. I tried to quell my mind as to what it could possibly mean as my shaky hand reach for the small note at the bottom of the package.
No greeting. "I noticed yours were a little shabby at practice, so I got you these ones. Thanks for being a good friend to me. Happy Christmas, Oliver."
My heart started beating faster and I felt wide awake. I ran my thumb over the soft leather of the gloves. Oliver knew me better than I had thought. A practical object of beauty. How often had he looked at my hands to notice my gloves?
Underneath the gloves was a small packet with another note. "I told my mum to expect you on the 27th. She said to come at 7:30 sharp. Here is some floo powder in case you're out. Please say you'll come. Send a reply back with Gus if you can."
Another gift. So unexpected, I felt a swell of panic. I had not thought to get anything for him and I didn't want him to feel abandoned by me now. I was a "good friend," after all.
The owl was still in the room, so I had to think quick. On a whim, I snatched my Holyhead Harpies pin from where it was pinned to my lapel and scrawled a quick note.
"I'll change your mind yet. See you on the 27th." and attached them to the owl's obliging leg. My heart fluttered as I watched Gus fly out the window. What would he think of my gift? Would Oliver's family like me?
Smiling to myself I slid on the gloves and placed the photo of Oliver and I on my nightstand. The image of us standing side by side was the last memory before I fell back asleep.