How was it already Christmas break? The days were flying by too fast for Xira to catch up. There was a mix of excitement to see her mother again, yet a little regret at leaving Harry all alone. Not even that girl Hermione was staying behind to keep him company.
Harry didn't look bothered, but Xira still felt guilty. Maybe she could ask her mother to let him stay for Christmas? That was genius! Xira couldn't believe she didn't think of that before. She ran out of the common room, indeed drawing some eyes.
Xira had a feeling Harry didn't like the family he stayed with; he always got a sour look on his face when she asked about them. And if he'd rather spend Christmas all alone rather than be with them, they must genuinely be awful people.
Xira personally couldn't imagine not being close with her mother. It had been just them from the minute she was born. Xira breathed deeply now; maybe sprinting all the way to the owlery hadn't been the best idea. She looked at all the beautiful owls all around her and smiled.
Many of them slept soundly still, but some peered at her warily. But Xira noticed the distinct lack of white feathers. Where was her Baine? Usually, the snowy owl would stand out among the others. Maybe she went out for a fly? Though the sun was still present, so Xira felt it was too early for that.
"Baine?" Xira called out, hoping she would hear her and magically appear. No such luck, instead a dark owl eyed her. She realized it was Argus, Harry's bird. His strangely human eyes stared straight into her soul. She held her arm out, and he gently landed on it, shifting a little to make himself comfortable.
He was a well-cared-for creature; his feathers shone with good health. He looked soft, and when she hesitantly reached out, he rubbed against her palm. Yet, there was a dangerous sharpness to his beak and claws. She got the impression that him being kind to her was an honor.
"You're a pretty boy, aren't you?" Argus gave a hoot that sounded to Xira like a cocky yes, his chest had puffed up with pride, and she chuckled. Maybe he could deliver the letter to her mother? Her owl was nowhere in sight, and she had to get it delivered today.
"Do you want to deliver my letter, Argus?" He stuck out his leg as soon as she asked, and she blinked in surprise but tied the letter to his leg carefully. It was just about her being excited for winter break with the quickly written question about Harry on the bottom.
"Do you know where she lives?" She asked, and the owl seemed to roll his eyes as if the answer was obvious. Even though she had an owl, she honestly didn't know a lot about them. Xira thought it was amazing they could travel so far in the first place.
Xira shrugged and watched as Argus took off; she eyed him until his form was unable to be seen by her eyes. She hoped Harry wouldn't mind her borrowing his owl, surely not, right? They were friends, and he'd be happy that she wanted to spend Christmas with him.
Xira made her way back to the common room with much less haste, taking her time to admire the uniquely beautiful castle. She was rather sleepy from dinner; a full belly tends to lead to a tired mind. Xira didn't mind being a little exhausted because now she could get to sleep tonight.
Just thinking about tomorrow caused her to be incredibly jittery, but she would be a little less unhappy if she could bring Harry along. The thought of spending Christmas with him was rather lovely. He'd probably be unsure and a little awkward, but he'd warm up. She was smiling widely, and she couldn't stop even if she wanted to.
That morning at breakfast, Xira was too eager to eat, her leg bounced up and down, and her nails were being chewed to a nub. Xira knew Harry was giving her a weird look, but she was awaiting her mother's response.
"What's with you?" Harry asked; Xira shook her head. She didn't want to tell him yet. To be honest, she didn't know how he'd react if her mother did say yes. That's when she saw Argus swoop in; he managed to be evident among the other owls.
"Is that my owl?" Harry asked, clearly confused and alarmed. Xira purposefully ignored this, letting Argus land right in front of her. She rubbed under Argus's chin, and he crooned. Xira grabbed the letter from his leg and fed him a piece of sausage from her untouched plate.
"Don't you have your own owl?" Harry still tried to get answers, but Xira was busy reading her mother's response. She skimmed over the parts of her mother informing her about what went on during her absence, getting straight to the section she really wanted to read.
"Hello?" He sounded annoyed now, but Xira was now grinning ear to ear. Right at the end, her mother had said, 'Of course he can, dear, I'd love to meet this friend of yours!' Xira almost cheered, but she contained herself, finally turning to Harry.
"You're going to stay with me over break!" Xira stated like it was a fact, and Harry gave her a confused and slightly annoyed face.
"Says who?" Asked Harry.
"My mother and me," Xira informed him.
"Well, you didn't ask if I wanted to!" Harry sounded a bit aggravated, but Xira didn't really understand why. She couldn't imagine wanting to stay here alone for a whole two weeks; that would be terrible.
"I didn't think I needed to ask..." Xira now was the befuddled one. Harry had an exasperated look on his face.
"Of course, you need to ask! I don't want to spend Christmas with you, Xira." Xira couldn't help the tinge of hurt she felt at his words. What was wrong with spending Christmas with her? She enjoyed spending time with him, and she thought Harry felt the same.
"I just thought you wouldn't want to spend the holiday alone..." She mumbled under her breath, wishing to disappear at that moment.
"I like being alone," Harry replied stiffly, ignoring the hurt on her face. That made a sudden fury spring up in her. Xira didn't know what was wrong with him, but he didn't need to let it out on her.
"You're a real ass!" Xira practically was steaming from her ears, but he still ate his food leisurely. She had an impulse to smack the fork out of his hand, but she controlled herself. She simply scrawled a note to her mother saying Harry wouldn't be joining her, and she gave it to Argus.
As soon as he took it, Xira gathered her things and left the dining hall, not even looking behind her. If Harry didn't want to come with her, that's fine, she'd just have a wonderful Christmas without him. She went to her bed and started to pack her things up; the train would be coming soon.
She glanced at the little parcel that contained Harry's present, and she scowled at it. Harry didn't deserve it, but Xira had got it just for him. It was wrapped neatly and had a little bow on top. Inside was a card and a book she'd thought he'd like.
Xira thanked him for his friendship and for making her feel less alone in that card, and she made a friendship bracelet for him. It felt childish and stupid to her now, but she put it in her pocket nonetheless. She wondered if Harry would like it, but she shouldn't care.
Xira headed for the train; she felt so strange going back home. She looked back to the glorious castle that was Hogwarts and smiled sadly. Xira shouldn't feel so melancholy; she'd be back before she knew it. She couldn't seem to help it, though; she'd miss it badly all the same.
It felt so lonelier when she rode it this time. There was no mysterious stranger across from her to keep her mind questioning. The silence was deafening to Xira. To keep it away, she ranted to Baine. She imagined the owl was like her mother, consoling and giving Xira advice.
The snowy owl seemed to give her a concerned look, wondering why its owner was so enraged. Xira was very glad that Baine couldn't talk. She didn't want to hear what her owl could say.
"I was trying to be nice! He had the nerve to ignore me too! I want to punch his stupid face in! I thought we were friends, you know?" When she said the last part, she felt all the anger turn to hurt. Baine seemed to detect it, and she cooed sadly.
"I know I'm dumb; I literally know so little about him, but for some reason, he means a lot to me." Xira stopped talking then, sighing and turning to the window to stare through it. The whole world looked so gray to her then, as if reflecting her mood.
Those hours took forever, but when they were finally up, Xira wished they lasted longer. She was almost scared to face her mother again. Xira had a foolish worry that her mother no longer loved her or would have left her. She knew that wouldn't happen, but the fear still stayed.
"Xira!" A voice she knew well shouted, and Xira turned toward it to see her mother grinning widely at her. Xira felt her own face split, and she barreled toward her, nestling into her safe embrace. Xira knew then her worries really were foolish; her mother would always be there.
"I missed you, sweetie..." Whispered her mother, and Xira burrowed further into her. Xira almost forgot how nice it felt to be in her mother's arms, especially after something terrible happened.
"I missed you too, mum..." Xira muttered back, knowing she'd be okay now. They pulled away from each other, Xira now tearing up, wanting to tell her mother everything right there and then. Her mother's brow furrowed in worry, wondering why Xira had started crying.
"What's wrong, baby?" Xira shook her head, intending to tell her mother the whole thing when they got home. Her mother led her along gently, but Xira didn't follow just yet. She let Baine out of her cage, the owl perched on her arm, and studied her curiously.
Xira gave her a bittersweet smile, taking the parcel from herself and handing it to Baine. The owl flew from her arm and grabbed the box.
"Take that to Harry, please..." She gave a single hoot before flying off. Xira saw her mother looking at her with a question on her face. Xira didn't give her an answer, but she jogged to catch up to her. She grabbed her warm hand, and they apparated home together.
Okay so whichever side you take here is reasonable, Xira was being a bit hasty and Harry was an asshole about it. If you thought Xira acted childish, she did, she's eleven. I know at eleven I was a lot worse than her actually. Sorry for the delay though guys, I really had no motivation for a little. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, I think it's quite good.
-Lemon Nugget