Happy Holidays

"Happy Christmas" I nearly fell out of the bed seeing Draco crouched at my side. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you" he said in a hushed whisper as I threw the covers back and sat up.

"What time is it?"

"Good morning to you too" he said with a small smirk.

"Morning, time?"

"Almost nine" he said standing up and wrapping his blue robe tightly around himself. "I see you had an owl drop by" he said as I rubbed my eyes, not yet feeling fully awake. He nodded toward the window I had forgotten to close the previous night after sending Fred a Christmas letter and his present. All of which I had spent the day before running around with Draco to get this and that. A few things I had gotten for my other friends when I was last at Hogsmeade. Now I had a very small pile of gifts laying on the chair below the window.

"Happy Christmas indeed" I told him going over to the presents.

"Oh c'mon, open those later, we have a ton downstairs" he said. I wouldn't have followed him but he sounded so excited and I guessed he didn't have very many family members his age he was able to share this with.

"Yeah, okay" I said as we crept down the stairs. "What time—" I cut myself off as I looked at the beautifully lit Christmas Tree; we had helped decorate it the day after I was settled, Mrs. Malfoy explaining to me the special ornaments. Now, the giant tree, maybe eight or nine feet tall stood near the fireplace, it's bright lively green color shinning through, even with all the silver, red and gold balls and other decorations. Mom had sent the ornament she usually put on our tree, a picture of her, my dad and myself just after I was born. I almost cried seeing it but she explained since she won't be home for Christmas there is no sense in putting up the Christmas tree. Mr. Malfoy came home just before we started and even put on some music. Draco claimed he did it every year but I just couldn't see the Malfoys doing this every year.

"Is it always like this?" I asked not knowing where to step due to the sheer amount of presents that took up the room. "What could possibly be in all those gifts anyway?" I wondered moving closer, searching for my name. "Are these are yours? Are mine in a cabinet somewhere in the kitchen? Or outside?" I half teased but Draco led me over to the opposite side of the tree, just as much space being take up. These presents were wrapped in red and gold unlike the ones for Draco wrapped in silver and green. "Wow..." I said looking at the gifts, not knowing where to even begin.

"It's mostly stuff for your room, I said it looked kinda bare and if you're going to be here all summer you'll need to personalize it" he said as I broadly smiled, "it's not a big deal or anything really, I just thought it would be a nice idea" Draco quickly added as to not wanting me to think he had a heart.

"That's very kind of you Draco" I whispered as two sets of footsteps came down the stairs.

Almost an hour later I was dragging everything up to my room. Draco was half right when he said it was stuff to decorate my room. But it was literally anything and everything. Even some special kind of paint to paint the walls, not like I'd do at home but some quicker and better way. I was excited to read over the directions, Draco promised he'd help paint. Among the other gifts were at least three different comforter sets and linen because they didn't know what I liked or how frequently I changed my mind. Lots of pillows, a mirror, a set of perfumes, clothes, shoes, jackets, hats, everything I'd ever need. Mrs. Malfoy saying this way I wouldn't have to send clothes back and forth whenever I decided to visit my mom.

Mom had sent a few gifts as well, one of dad's old trophies, a bed sheet he had apparently stolen, his old wand, some candies she got while at Hogsmeade, some clothes from a store called Gladrags Wizards Wear, another shop in Hogsmeade. She had also sent Draco some presents, same places in Hogsmeade but different stuff. I also got a cauldron, scales and other school items I had intended to purchase before going back. Draco had gotten me some Gryffindors scarves, a jacket that we had saw while out shopping that I adored and cleaning supplies for my broom. It was more than I deserved from him.

Once upstairs I took a moment to open the gifts from my friends; Melinda had gotten me two books, one being about the greatest transfigurations known to the wizarding community, the other about Animagus. Hermione gotten me a special quill, ink and planner set. Ron, a few posters to put in my room, including a giant poster of the American Quidditch team and one of the Gryffindor Quidditch from last year. Harry also got me a broom cleaning set as well as a pair of goggles for when the weather. Lee and Oliver both sent an assortment of candy, Oliver including a few extra boxes of every favored beans so I'd still have a lot even after picking out the ones I didn't like. Fred's present was in a large package, I honestly thought it was a Hogwarts toilet but was relieved to see it was just a large mirror. A little disappointed but I shouldn't have complained. I trusted all my gifts arrived to them just fine, I already had a letter from Melinda and Hermione thanking them for their gifts. I hung Fred's mirror up on the wall and headed down for lunch. I'd start decorating afterwards.

It was until evening that I felt I had put up enough things to make my room feel more like my personality. It already looked loads better than when I first arrived. Draco helped with the bigger stuff and even painted the walls, the directions simply stating to dip the brush and hold it up to the wall of the recommended size and the magic would do the rest. The brush would fall the floor when the paint was used up. We only had to do it four times. "I love magic" I told him as we looked around at my deep red room, I had thought maybe they'd buy scarlet paint but I knew that was asking too much. Mrs. Malfoy said she was torn between purple and pink but my mom suggested a darker red as to please everyone.

"Do you need help with anything else?" Draco asked as he headed out.

"No, I think I'm all set, thanks again Draco" I said, grabbing his arm before he left completely. "I mean it though, thank you" I hugged him before I could give him a chance to reply. He patted my back and we let go, his cheeks pink.

"Yeah, it was nothing" he stuttered and then nearly ran out.

"That was cute." I jumped so high off the ground I was surprised I didn't fall back down. I glanced around, catching Fred in the mirror. I closed the door and ran over. "Hey" he said cheerfully.

"What are you doing? How did you get here?" I hissed looking frantically around, hoping Mrs. or Mr. Malfoy didn't walk in.

"Calm down, I'm not really there, it's like talking into the fireplace, but, a mirror instead" he said still upbeat.

"How did—"

"Don't worry about it, just a neat hat trick we've been working on, one step closer to production" he said looking quite pleased with himself. "I honestly didn't think it was going to work. I've been waiting all day for you to be alone, I didn't want anyone catching on" he said as he glanced around. "Nice room."

"You can see in here?" I asked as I moved closer, putting my hands on the glass. He nodded and I leaned closer. "I can't see anything" I told him.

"Yeah, it's dark here, I didn't want to be too loud, don't need everyone crowding in" he explained.

"I miss you" he smiled but didn't respond.

"I'm glad you're feeling comfortable over there. We were taking bets how long til they turned you into a pet."

"Gee, thanks" I said sarcastically. "How was your Christmas? I wish I was there, did Melinda stop by?"

"It was nice, we'll tell you all about on the train, and no, Melinda said she might come by tomorrow, but she really just wanted to spend some time at home." I admitted, I had mixed feelings about being told I'd have to wait til we were on the train to hear about his family.

"Can I come over tomorrow?" I asked eagerly.

"Everyone is in a good mood, let's not ruin it by asking favors already, yeah?" I felt my heart sink but nodded anyway.

"Will I see you before we go back to school?"

"Probably, if you don't it's not that big of a deal, you're having a great time as is" he said; I wondered if he knew I could catch the tone of annoyance in his voice. Not wanting to ask if everything was okay or ask again if I could see him I nodded. He started to say something else but I could hear his mum calling for him so he said a quick goodbye and he was gone, I was staring at my own reflection.

"Tammie?" I turned to see Mrs. Malfoy walking into the room.

"Thank you, for everything. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you lending me a place to stay." She took a seat on the bed, Mr. Malfoy coming in next. "Oh, no, is the part where you guys turn me into a pet?"

"A what? No, heavens, what gave you that idea?" Mrs. Malfoy asked.

"Probably that Weasley boy..." Mr. Malfoy muttered.

"Draco told us about your...relationship with him..." Mrs. Malfoy said.

"If you're expecting me to dump him because I'm now a 'Malfoy' that's not going to happen." Mr. Malfoy shifted his cane from one hand to the other.

"No one said that, just keep in mind that you're still young, there's a world full of opportunities for you. School isn't just about dating" Mrs. Malfoy said as I nodded, not sure what else to say. "We hope you understand how important maintaining our reputation is, we've been here for generations—"

"My dad left this family because you guys supported Voldemort, excuse me if I don't particularly want to follow in your footsteps" I found myself saying, knowing I was being rude.

"Tammie, there's a lot you don't know about Dustin and there's a lot that we're risking to keep you and your mother safe. As your legal guardians—"

"My what?"

"There's been a turn in events Tammie and I know this is hard to comprehend but right now, because of what your father did we have legal custody of you. Your mother was very understanding and she didn't want to tell you. We didn't want to wait until summer. I'm sorry we had to tell you like this." I felt hot tears rolling down my cheeks. My mom let these idiots take custody over me while she went out, what, witch hunting?

"She wouldn't do that" was all I could think to say, but obviously she did if I was still here. There was clearly more to the story that no one was yet ready to tell me and though it annoyed me I decided I'd find out myself.

"Don't be angry with her, she did what she needed to protect you and she'll be able to handle herself, remember, she's not alone and she always has our help where we can give it" Mrs. Malfoy said as she reached out a hand toward me. I stared at it, would letting her comfort me destroy some kind of universe. Would I be betraying my friends? I shook my head.

"I appreciate what you've done so far, both of you, but my father left this family for a reason, I'm not ready to forgive" I said trying to sound firm as I wiped away the tears. Mrs. Malfoy stood up and walked back over to the door.

"We have all the time" Mr. Malfoy said as we looked at each other.

"And I will find out what's going on" I added as Mr. Malfoy nodded and walked out of the room first.

"Just consider what I said Tammie about a world of opportunities and being young" she said as she remained in the doorway; I had a feeling she'd stand there until I gave her some type of response she liked.

"I'll consider it" I told her as she partly smiled and then closed the door. I went over to just to double check that they didn't lock it, it was fine, no lock. I slide to the floor, again, feeling like I had too much to process. I didn't want to write my mom, afraid of the answer. But I'd have to ask her eventually. But at the moment I just wanted to be alone and have a good cry, too many emotions.