Tom heads down to the Common Room Christmas morning, and sees two stacks of presents under the tree - one for him, and one for Evelynn. Hidden behind the stack of presents for Evelynn, he just notices, is a pile of snow - how, in the name of Merlin, did snow get into the Common Room?! Especially since there's nobody else from Slytherin in the castle right now bar the Professors that were in the House? When he goes to investigate, he hears a familiar chuckle in his head.

I wouldn't. That's for my Mistress. And it took quite a while to set up, might I add.

Tom freezes in his tracks, once more gripped with an all-consuming terror at the knowledge that Death is in his head.

Relax, you have nothing to fear. Unless you count potential retribution from someone for disturbing that pile of snow, I suppose.

Tom glances around, then quietly murmurs "Oh, really? And why's that?"

All in good time. As for that pile of snow, its currently acting as a nest of sorts for a very stubborn bird. She was rather adamant about finding her Witch, you see. It was all I could do to convince her to wait until after she was back in time, and I can guarantee she'll be less than pleased if you disturb her.

Tom blinks, trying to make sense of that…and comes up short, who would Death be talking about?! Evelynn? But the only bird he could think of that would fit that description is Hedwig, and Hedwig died over a decade ago for Evelynn.

A good guess. I have to wonder if you're starting to figure out what's happening between you and my Mistress yet or not.

Tom frowns deeply, the reminder of the odd connection between them unsettling him if even Death is taking notice of it.

I'll give you a hint. Its not something my Mistress will ever guess. A by-product of her previous life.

Tom feels the entity leave his head, leaving behind more questions yet again - he suddenly gets the feeling the growing link between himself and Evelynn is why Death is entering his head occasionally. The entity doesn't come back and confirm or deny it, but he'll just ask the next time it does. Not that it happens all that much.

And then he looks back at the pile of snow on the floor underneath the Christmas Tree that was brought in, and sees there's an egg sitting in the center - white as the snow its sitting in, its only because there's silver threaded through the white that he could even see it. There's also a simple black box next to the pile of snow, but Tom doesn't have a clue what's in it.

Last time, it was music from the future - this time? Who knows. Either of them, really.

His attention gets taken from the strange egg by Evelynn's appearance, black hair messy like she just rolled out of bed - in all likelihood, she did. She didn't expect presents last year, after all. One hand is rubbing her eyes, the other is behind her back - and then her face lights up when she sees him kneeling there, all traces of sleep disappearing at the sight of him.

Tom gestures for her to come over, saying "There's gifts for you, Evelynn." Once again, Evelynn's expression goes momentarily blank before it registers that, yes, she has presents. Just one more reason he's compiling for him to kill the Dursleys - he's planning it out in excruciating detail, 'excruciating' being the key word there.

He moves to sit on the couch, and feels her arms go around his shoulders as she nuzzles into his neck while saying "Merry Christmas, Tom." Oh, she's making it far too easy for him, even with the sudden cold at his neck. Tom promptly pulls her over the back of the couch so he can steal a kiss from her in return.

Before he can get at all into it, though, there's a thumping sound from behind Evelynn. Followed by a metallic rattling sound. Tom just raises an eyebrow at Evelynn, who blushes and mutters about him cheating. Tom raises an eyebrow at her, asking"I take it that was…?"

Evelynn gives him an exasperated look, like he's supposed to have guessed already, and says "My Christmas presents to you. Don't look!" Oh, he's sorely tempted to look, just because she said that. Still, he doesn't peek over the back of the couch as she picks everything back up and gets it ready for him.

When she gets back on the couch, there's a large stack of what he recognizes as books - even through the wrapping paper she must've Conjured - and a simple black box big enough to hold something about the size of his hand.

After a brief debate, he goes for the books first - only to get the surprise of his life when he sees some books that look like they must've cost a fortune. Advanced books on practically every subject she could find, everything from Enchanting to Alchemy. Bloody hell!

After Tom manages to close his mouth, Evelynn says "They were in the room of Requirement. I thought you'd like them, so I fixed them up for you."

Its just like with the boxes of food, he so wants to kiss her right now.

Unlike with the boxes of food…its exactly what he does, pulling her forward by her shirt and landing his lips on hers. Until his lungs start burning like they're on fire, signaling that they need oxygen through the fog that's invaded their minds.

Evelynn hums, still looking dazed, and asks "If this is how you say you like some books, I can't wait for you to open my second gift."

Tom raises an eyebrow, asking "Its better than the twenty books I've never seen before today?"

Evelynn smiles at him, saying "I think it'll mean more to you than the books, yes. Call it a hunch."

When he opens the box, he's almost literally floored at the sight - its only because he's on the couch that he isn't on the floor. Because he's staring at Salazar Slytherin's Locket, looking for all the world like its brand new. The gold is gleaming, the emeralds sparkling...it looks like it was just made by a master craftsman.

"What…how…when…" He stares up at Evelynn, entirely dumbfounded - how did she possibly get her hands on Slytherin's Locket?! And then it clicks with him - at least, he thinks it does. "Borgin and Burkes."

Evelynn nods, saying "Yeah. It was just sitting there in the case. I don't know why it wasn't snapped up years ago, but it wasn't for some reason."

"That's why your magic went crazy in the shop."

Evelynn nods again, and says "Yeah. But the conniving bastard wanted ten times what they paid for it in the first place. It kinda set me off, but it worked out in the end."

Evelynn scoots over on the couch, seeing Tom is staring at the Locket like it might disappear - or grow legs, not an actual impossibility with magic - and picks it up. His dark gaze snaps up to her at once, watching in a mix of disbelief and awe as she undoes the clasp before putting it around his neck. As soon as the clasp is done and the pendant itself settles on his chest, Tom senses a not-so-faint buzz of magic come from it. Familiar magic, at that, which seems to settle around him like a blanket. "This…this feels like your magic."

Evelynn nods, fingers tracing the snake on the locket as she murmurs "I cleaned it up and put a few protection spells on it. Along with the same kind of Ward I used on my trunk…almost. Its…intended, I suppose you might call it, differently."

Tom raises an eyebrow, asking "How so?"

"The Ward I put on my trunk senses a person's intentions and reacts accordingly. If they wanted to 'borrow' some ink or parchment from the setting I tend to keep it on here, it would give them something of a sharp sting. Enough to make them think twice, but not particularly lethal - something I could conceivably have learned in the library or from one of the upper years. On the other hand, if they were trying to break into the home setting…well, I may have taken a page out of your book for that. Older-you, that is."

Tom thinks for a minute, and comes up with two possibilities. "The Curse on the Ring?" Somehow, a potion that weakens someone enough that Inferi can get them doesn't sound quite right. Especially since Evelynn doesn't currently have any Inferi on hand.

Evelynn nods, saying "If they were going to try and take or destroy some of the stuff I have in there, or the entire setting…well, you know how ruthless I can be. I wasn't going to give them a chance to spread any stories and have someone take a closer look at me."

Tom nods, then asks "And the necklace?"

"Anybody tries to steal it, they'll quickly figure out it's a bad idea. Too late, but still. There's also a protection spell on it, meant to cancel out any spells that aren't healing or harmless ones. I've never tried it against something like you'd find in a serious battle, or a professional duel, but it should hold against most anything you'd come across here. And one to warn you if someone's about to hurt you or Potion you. I based it off the protection spells I read up on in Nott manor, the ones that were originally used for the Heir Rings."

The next thing Evelynn knows, she's just been all but tackled onto her back and Tom's practically attacking her mouth. And then her neck, one side and then the other. Maybe she should get Tom nice things more often, if it gets reactions like this out of him. The Twins were always happy - she thought - with whatever she could make for them, and Luna was always off in her own world so much that she couldn't tell one way or another, she could never get Neville anything since she was always stuck in Four Privet Drive for their birthdays and she couldn't really go out and get him something for Christmas...but the most anyone else ever gave her was a 'thank you' or a brief one-armed hug. Certainly nothing this passionate - the closest was the Twins' reactions to the money from the Tournament, and even that pales in comparison by a long shot. They hugged her, they cried, and they promised her a lifetime pass on all their pranks - heartwarming, yes, but not...this.

Not leaving a dozen bites on her neck to let her know in no uncertain terms that she's his, not the possessive looks and intoxicating kisses, not the feeling she's getting that not even Dumbledore would be able to keep them apart. And she's not sure what to do about that feeling, honestly. She expected Tom to leave or make her leave after learning everything, he didn't do either. No, instead he seemed to latch onto her even tighter, despite the knowledge that she was his prophesized downfall and all that. He hasn't used her for anything either, not to solidify his power in Slytherin House even further or even for her power and knowledge. He looked at her, with all her baggage and issues, and he said stay. He said mine. Its something nobody ever said before, concerning her, and now she can't seem to get enough of it. Its the only thing she ever really wanted, all she needs, and he's giving it to her time and again.

Its Evelynn's fingers that bring Tom back to himself, one hand tangled in his hair and tugging on it and the other digging into his shoulder as she holds onto him - he sits up, but not before leaving a series of marks all along her neck that are definitely going to turn purple soon. Evelynn props herself up, grinning happily and asking "I take it you liked it?" Tom pulls her in for another - more gentle - kiss, words failing to describe just how much it all means to him. Now his own gift for her, the softest blanket he could make and Charm, seems like…not nearly enough. Maybe he can add a Protect- no, wait, nevermind. He doesn't actually know any that would stand up to the kinds of trouble Evelynn seemed to attract in her last life. The Troll and the Dementors come to mind right then.

"So," Evelynn asks, pulling him out of his thoughts, "are you going to open the rest of your gifts?"

Tom hums, pretending to be in thought for a moment, and says "Perhaps. Are you going to open yours?"

Evelynn smiles at him, and says "You first. There's no rush, after all." Something that simply astounds him - Evelynn went without gifts or even people doing something nice for her just because they could for so long…yet she's not currently tearing open her gifts like a little demon. It's a testament to her willpower, he thinks, that she isn't going slightly crazy for a time.

Evelynn's own gifts get carefully stacked up on the side, and then Tom actually blindfolds Evelynn while he summons his gift for her so she won't peek, much to her amusement. Amusement that turns to gratitude when he wraps the blanket around her - she never had her own cover to wrap up in, not one that was hers. Also, she's not blind anymore, she absolutely noticed the Slytherin symbol on the back of it - another way to state his claim on her, even if he can say its because they're in the House. Nobody in Slytherin House would look at it and see anything other than Tom saying she's his.

And then Evelynn sees the pile of snow, instantly getting curious about it. "Someone left a pile of snow in the Common Room?" Who in the world would do that?!

Tom shrugs, saying "I'm not exactly sure what it is, even. Because there's something in the snow." Well, he knows its a bird, currently inside a white and silver egg. Other than that? Not a clue.

Evelynn frowns and scoops up most of the snow, letting it trickle through her fingers slowly. Leaving her with the egg that was sitting in it. Evelynn's breath catches in her throat, even as the shell turns to snow and floats away. Leaving a baby bird with the beginnings of snow-white feathers edged in silver, with talons the same color…and intelligent amber eyes.

Evelynn, Tom suspects, would hit the floor hard if she wasn't already kneeling - as it is, she lands on her behind squarely, breathing going slightly ragged as she stares at the baby bird. "Hed? Is that you?" The bird chirps happily, nipping at her left index finger before rubbing its head against it. Evelynn's too caught up in her reunion with Hedwig to notice, but the fire goes out and the carpet she's sitting on freezes over due to the sheer amount of power surrounding the two of them as their Familiar Bond reforms.

Also, Tom is currently trapped against the couch, as it feels like the weight of Hogwarts, Wards and all, is pressing down on him. And then it fades, letting Tom sit up again as Evelynn breaks down crying in delight. Tom gently pulls her up onto the couch next to him, only to get another shock as the baby bird - an Ice Phoenix, he thinks - shifts into a Kneazle kitten and starts licking Evelynn's tear-streaked face and purring.

Tom just stares after a moment, only Evelynn…

And then Hedwig shifts once more into a baby Antipodean Opaleye, and hisses "Missed you, Eve-chick. Missed you for so long. Need to sleep though…"

Evelynn hiccups, and brokenly hisses out for Hedwig to stay in her Kneazle Form so Dumbledore won't get suspicious or try to take her. "Yes, a good plan. Its part of why I chose the Kneazle form in the first place. So, this is your…"

Hedwig's cut off by a large yawn, and turns back into her Kneazle form before falling asleep in Evelynn's lap. Evelynn quickly uses the blanket Tom got her as a nest for her Familiar, sending him an apologetic look as she does so. Tom leans over and uses his thumb to wipe at her face, saying "Well, that was something. The surprises never cease, do they?"

Evelynn shakes her head, saying "No, apparently they don't. An Ice Phoenix, a Kneazle, and an Antipodean Opaleye…" She hiccups again, her whole body jerking as she does.

"You alright now?"

Evelynn nods, saying "I'm better than alright, Tom. I…I've got Hedwig back, she…" Evelynn trails off, wiping at one cheek uselessly with the palm of her hand.

After a minute, she says "I'm gonna go put Hedwig on my bed, Tom. Be right back."

Tom nods, using a bit of magic to bring her last box over to the couch - the one that was next to the pile of snow. Knowing Death…it'll be something else mind-blowing.

Honestly, a Kneazle kitten, an Ice Phoenix, and an Antiopedan Opaleye...how in the world did that happen?!

AN: Hey, everyone! Happy Christmas in the story! Hope you like it, because I actually did have some specific reasons for giving Hedwig those three forms.

Ice Phoenix: healing tears, the teleportation, and its close to her original form. She can heal Evelynn, or instantly go get help or take her away from danger, and she's relatively easy to disguise with a minor glamor spell.

Kneazel: Excellent judges of character, its something that won't make Dumbledore too suspicious right off the bat - that legend about Dumbledore's and Phoenixes - and also easy to disguise with a minor spell.

Dragon: ...Do I actually need to explain this one? Really? Big, fire breath, massive claws... Plus, in that form she can talk with both of them.

I absolutely love Hedwig's character, btw. She was there for literally everything poor Harry had to go through, from his time with the Dursleys to the school turning on him time and again...she literally sacrificed herself for him in the book! So...yeah, she's back. And Evelynn being the MoD, she gets a reward for saving Evelynn and making it so she could become the MoD.

Anyway, enjoy! More updates coming soon.