"It's snowing!" Amanda exclaimed happily. About two months later, Amanda and Aly were returning from Potions. Amanda looked outside to see snowing coming down.

"Yes, I see, Amanda, it's snowing," Aly replied.

"You know what this means?"

Aly shrugged.

"Christmas!" she exclaimed. Aly grinned. They ran into Damien and Hayden.

"Aly! Did you see it?" Damien asked.

"Yeah! Snow," she replied dully.

"This means that break is almost upon us," Amanda said happily. Damien, Hayden, and Amanda were grinning, but Aly sighed. What's the big deal with Christmas?

Amanda noticed her facial expression.

"What's up?" she asked.

"I just don't get the big deal about Christmas!" Aly sighed in frustration. Damien looked at her in confusion.

"Don't get the deal about Christmas? Aly, it's the most wonderful time of the year!" Damien exclaimed. Aly sighed.

"The reason I'm not all excited for Christmas is because I've never had a real one," Aly admitted. "Every Christmas, Aunt Amelia would take me to parties and everything with her friends, but lock me in the car. I never got any presents." Hayden looked at her sympathetically.

"You're never had a real Christmas? Not one where you'd sit with your family, open presents underneath a tree; drink hot cocoa, or listen to carols?"

She shook her head. "Remember...my parents are who knows where, my aunt is the reincarnation of the devil...?"

"That's terrible! Aly, we'll make sure you have a real Christmas," Amanda said, putting an arm around her. Aly smiled.

Char, Amanda and Aly were sitting in the Great Hall playing a game of Exploding Snap. Aly decided to stop playing after she lost five times in a row. She merely watched and learned. The Great Hall was decorated in lovely colors of red, gold, green and white. The Hall was empty because many students were leaving for vacation. The Taylors offered to have Aly home for Christmas, but she didn't want to burden them further after giving her the broom, so she decided to stay. She settled herself comfortable on the bench and watched.

"Happy Christmas, Gem!" Michael's voice said. Aly turned her head and watched Michael stroll into the Great Hall wearing a Santa Claus hat. She rolled her eyes. He grinned at her.

"Not going home for Christmas?" he inquired walked over to her.

"No, obviously." Michael frowned.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to."

"How sufficient of an answer," he sneered.

"Don't you have somewhere to be that doesn't include here?" Amanda asked, not taking her eyes off of the game. Michael scowled.

"I'm heading to France, actually."

"Why?" Aly asked dully.

"Because I have relatives over there," Michael answered.

"Really then?" Char asked, a sneer forming on his lips. "Say something in French." Michael cleared his throat.

"Je m'appelle Michael. Amanda, tu es stupide."

"Shut up, Straum," Amanda said, turning around. Char tried to switch the board. "Don't even think about it."

"You speak French?" Aly asked, surprised. She nodded.

"And that was an insult." Michael grinned at her.

"Go away," Aly groaned. Michael leaned down to her ear.

"Expect a present from me on Christmas," he muttered. He stood up. "Happy Christmas!" He strolled away from them. Aly rolled her eyes.

"What did he say?"

"Apparently I'm getting something from him for Christmas."

"Probably something soft and squishy."