When he woke up there was a package sitting on his bedside table. He inspected it closely and saw that it came from his roommate. Onyx picked up a small note on the side of the grey package, fitting by the way, and started reading. "Figured you'd get up before me, so I placed it here. Happy Birthday Onyx Grey! I hope you'll appreciate my gift."

Onyx was quick to open it before he changed into his workout gear. As soon as he saw what was inside, a small grin could be seen on his lips. Zabini had gotten him a two small gifts.

One was a small bag of treats for Rufus and the other was a notebook with a small description. "Pour your magic in after every workout and you'll see." Onyx left a few treats for Rufus who seemed to positively love them and then he went out for a run.

After he was back, he grabbed the small book and poured some magic in. He was slightly surprised when he saw that the first page was being filled in. It seemed to describe every aspect of his health, both physical and magical.

Onyx looked towards Zabini with a smile on his lips. He'll have to thank him for this. It's just what he needed, a way to track not only where he's at but also his progress. Being thrilled with the present he went to the showers hoping Zabini would wake up before he was done.

As soon as he got out he saw Zabini on his bed looking expectantly, he walked right up to him with a wide smile. Onyx hugged his friend, much to Zabini's surprise, and said "Thank you. Honestly I didn't dare hope you'd actually send something personal. I love it."

Although Zabini had tensed up at the hug, the words seemed to calm him down and he returned the hug with one arm. "Of course Onyx, I had to go through a little effort to get that so I'm glad you like it."

Onyx released him from the hug and realized that he had been called by his first name. This meant quite a bit really, Blaise had finally accepted him as not just his roommate but his proper friend. Onyx was excited. "Come on then Blaise, get ready so we can head upstairs!"

The two friends did, and Onyx was met with a few gifts throughout the day. Some handed over in person and others coming by mail during one of the three meals. Moon and Greengrass gave him their gifts as soon as he came to the common room, he was thankful of course.

When he came to breakfast he received Neville's and, to his surprise, Dunbar's gifts. Neville had gifted him a personally signed quidditch shirt worn by Benjy Williams on his debut and Dunbar had simply gifted him treats, but the fact that she did so in person had some meaning to it.

By the end, most of the people around him had gifted him something. Hermione gifted him a muggle book, Nott, Davis, and , once again to his surprise, Potter had gifted him small things.

Onyx realized that he had gotten acknowledged by a few people by now. He'd just have to expand his reach next term. Perhaps inviting Neville's study group to join his and he'd have a few more contacts.

Neville was in contact with not just Susan Bones but also Hannah Abbott and Ernest MacMillan. A few more as well but since he hadn't been introduced to them it was difficult to know the muggleborns' names. His father had only told him the names of all those from esteemed families before he came to school after all.

He thanked everyone who handed him a gift profusely and made sure to get their birthdays as well se he could do the same for them. Unfortunately he had missed Hermione's birthday, but she took his culture book as a gift. He'd have to make Christmas special for her.

His parents and sister of course sent him gifts, but only small ones. He got most of what he wanted during the year so there wasn't much to give him for his birthday.

His overseas friends also popped in a gift for him. Charlton Gray gave him a book on American tribal magic, with a small note to check out the rituals. Tove Anguillin's gift surprised him a little as it showed up at dinner.

It was a portkey which would activate during the second day of the winter break. It was stated in the letter that it would bring him right to her as she missed him. She had prepared another gift for him but wanted to hand it over in person. Her gift didn't go unnoticed as Blaise nudged him slightly in the side.

"Got a girlfriend I don't know about Onyx?" Onyx raised an eyebrow at him. "Not really. More of a long-time friend. She's at Durmstrang though so we don't see each other as much anymore. Didn't think she'd miss my brilliant smile and immaculate sense of humour this much though.."

He winked at his friend who simply rolled his eyes. What Onyx missed was the smile forming on a few lips as he answered with 'Not really'.

From there, nothing of note really happened for a while and but eventually they had currently gotten all the way to Samhain, or Halloween as the muggles liked to call it.

The first class of the day was charms and they were being taught how to use the levitation charm. Onyx had gotten the hang of it fairly quickly and by now his friends were used to come to him for aid, even Nott had begrudgingly started asking for help. On the other side of the room he could hear an argument starting between 'the golden boy's' friends.

"Stop! Stop! Stop! You're going to take someone's eye out. Besides, you're saying it WRONG. It's LeviOsa, not LeviosA." It was Granger, of course, correcting the Weasley on his spellwork without him wanting her input. She hadn't really learned the lesson Onyx wished she would.

"You do it then, if you're so clever. Go on! Go on!" and with a smug grin on her face, she did. 'A show off. She really has to stop doing that or the few who hang out with her will stop.' Onyx thought as Flitwick praised Granger.

In the middle of the praise, a small explosion could be heard by the Gryffindors. Apparenty Finnegan had managed to blow something up again. Onyx never understood how he managed to do that. He must have a certain affinity for explosive spells, his magical control can't possibly be that bad.

When the class ended, Onyx had gained the house a few extra point both for performing the spell and helping others get it. While he was walking away though he could clearly hear Weasley mocking Granger and calling her a "nightmare".

What Onyx saw, but the Weasley didn't, was that Granger was right behind them and now bolted past the group of boys in tears.

Onyx wasn't exactly a friend of Granger's but he wanted to make sure she was okay so he stopped Dunbar from running after Granger. "Hold up." Onyx gently told his own friends to give them some privacy and so they walked to the next class without Onyx.

"Miss Dunbar. I'm sorry about this but could you please tell Miss Granger that I'd wish to speak with her. She really should get better friends than that Weasley boy, but right now I'd like a chance to calm her down and I'm almost certain she's currently headed towards the female bathroom. Tell her I'd like a chat at the feast, will you?"

Onyx gave Dunbar a gentle smile which grew wider as she nodded in understanding. "Thank you, I'll be in your debt!" This seemed to place her in thought as she spaced out for a few seconds with a blush on her face, before running away to catch up with Granger.

Onyx was a bit confused by her but brushed it off and simply took out the book for next class and headed over there.