"Morning!" Bella and I paused in our steps, smiling as an obviously excited Draco darted passed us to rush down the staircase first, just barely having the time to throw a greeting over his shoulder.
"He's done the same thing every Christmas eve and day since he learned how to walk." Bella revealed to me as he disappeared from our view.
It was finally my first ever time experiencing a Malfoy family Christmas tradition and I couldn't be any more excited, I just happened to be able to control it better than my dear friend. Those at breakfast also seemed in a lighter mood than usual, Snape cracking a few jokes and my father using horrible puns. Draco spoke up during every moment of silence, very obviously hinting at gifts he'd like or joking about the possible gifts he'd buy for others.
For a solid month now, I've been going through the possibilities of what I can buy my family and friends for Christmas. This year more than most, I've drawn a blank. In previous year, I was always filled with ideas, yet was limited with my available finances. This year was the complete opposite. Even if I bought all my friends and family their own piece of land, there would barely be a dent in my fortune, and yet, no ideas. I continued to think as I enjoyed breakfast with everyone, taking my time to observe my father, Severus, Narcissa and Lucius, trying to get a good idea on what would be the best thing to get them. As breakfast came to an end, we all gathered near the door, and wands were pulled for the glamouring process of my mate and father. I watched, fascinated, as my father's brown mop of hair grew platinum and slick, his nose pointing slightly. With just this slight change, he showed great resemblance to a Malfoy, possibly a cousin. Then came Bella's turn. I squinted my eyes, waiting for the changes to occur, then waited more when they never did.
"With how intently you were staring at her before the glamour, I'm sure you know that that's still Auntie Bella… right?" My head tilted at Draco's teasing tone.
"She's glamoured?" His eyes went wide.
"Can you not see it? She practically looks like Snape's twin sister!" My brows furrowed and I turned back to my butterfly who raised her arms from her side and turned from side to side, sensing that I wanted a closer look. I moved forward as if I were observing closely, even knowing from a glance that she was still in fact my beautiful girlfriend. I continued to approach her until our faces were inches apart, using the opportunity to steal a kiss before stepping back.
"Nope! I don't see it, she's as beautiful as she's always been." I noticed the tint of pink on her cheeks as she lowered her head but didn't mention it as my father spoke up.
"You can see passed the glamour? Curious… I've never heard of this sort of thing from a mated pair." My Malfoy-like father tapped his chin.
"Would she be able to see passed a Polyjuice, do you reckon?" Tom's eyes widened at Lucius' question but before he could answer, Narcissa took pity on her jittery son and spoke up.
"That's something we can discuss at a later time, let's get moving before my son explodes please."
BCBC
For the first half of our shopping journey, Narcissa and Snape ventured off together, as did my father and Lucius. Bella, with a wink in my direction had disappeared on her own, and that left Draco and I as the final pair. Draco seemed to know exactly where he needed to go and, seeing that I was having difficulties, offered to assist me in my choices for gift. He himself was buying a complete twelve book series for his mother which she had been talking about recently; a fiction story authored by a witch about a witch who experiments with her own magic creation, accidentally cursing herself and needing to travel across the world on foot to find a cure, discovering herself along the way. For his father, Draco found a new walking cane, Lucius' current one having been cracked from constant wear and the attachment to hold his wand now loose. He bought Snape the newest Busy-Wizard-Cloak, which adapts to protect you from the weather environment by changing its fabric but also by becoming waterproof or heated. Additionally, the pockets, endless as they've always been, now has organizing sleeves, to help organize your potions, vials, notes, and whatever else you may need to carry along with you. For Tom, he bought some puzzles, similar to those he has in his room. It was also that moment that I learned that my father has recently begun to take an interest to the knickknacks which Draco fiddles with. For Bella, Draco purchased new yarn, some of which enchanted with a similar environmental protection fabric which resided in Snape's new cloak, and a few crochet needles of various sizes, something that made me smile. A few days ago, after having spent a few hours knitting, Bella had offhandedly mentioned wanting to try her hand at crocheting, to compare it to knitting. I was happy to see that he had heard her and thought to buy her what she needs. Finally, we then took a moment to discuss what I was considering buying and he helped me to focus my options before we were off again.
Following our discussion, and after confirming that Lucius' Quidditch set was in fact almost as old as Draco now, I went to buy a new, and customized Quidditch ball set, happy with how the Malfoy family seal shined in a beautiful silver, even on the chest they came in. For Snape, I bought him some new vials, including some self-stirring vials, a fancy new stirring stick, and a specific fun vial which read 'Monday Fix', this vial was an identical size to the vial which he hands me my weekly potions in. I hesitated initially about buying Snape something potions related, but Draco reassured me that Snape usually enjoys them. After being subjected to a few strong potions, vials can break easily. While easily mended with magic, they still never hold quiet the same, and as someone who makes potions often, Snape is always thankful for any potion related gift. My gift to my father took longer to decide on. Eventually, I went for simplicity with enormous meaning. With Draco's help, we searched through book after book in the shop and eventually we found it, not a book, but a specific transfiguration; the wizarding world equivalent to photoshop. After a few trials and errors, I was very please with the outcome of a photo. My mother, my father, and me, all smiling and laughing together. Mum brushing my hair out of my face, placing a kiss to my forehead before turning to Tom, smiling with such brightness. He returns the smile before they both move in for a gentle kiss, succeeding also in squishing me between them, then the scene loops. This photo looks as if it was taken no earlier than yesterday even. Though I've never met her, I felt such a warmth from this photo that I duplicated it to keep a copy for my self, wiping off a stray tear as it escaped. For Narcissa, I purchased a perfume making kit and a magical scent extractor, knowing that she had been interested in trying her hand at creating her own perfume after her all-time favorite brand stopped their production.
After checking the time, we noticed we'd need to be meeting for lunch soon and should start to head towards our planned restaurant. In this time, knowing that we'd be changing partners, Draco discussed his gift ideas for his friends. Those for Crabbe, Goyle, Blaise, and Pansy Parkinson, I assumed they would like, though I didn't know them personally, but those he planned for Ginny and Luna put a wide smile on my face. For Luna, my dear friend was to visit a jewelry store to hopefully successfully present Luna with a promise ring. I was shocked with how sincere he had spoken about knowing he'd be spending the rest of his life with her, and he hoped that with this ring, she'd know too, if she accepted it of course. As for Ginny, Draco was completely ready to spend the remainder of his money and purchase her the latest released Firebolt. Though I knew she would love it, and wanted for her to receive such a gift, I had to confirm that Draco really wanted to buy such an expensive gift. He explained it as a special thank you. A thanks for being there for both his girlfriend and his best friend in their times of need, for being a good friend to them, and now to him. Now that Umbridge is finally allowing Gryffindor to play, and with Ginny on the team, he wanted her to hold her firebolt proud and use it well.
BCBC
Lunch was incredibly entertaining. Lucius had booked us a VIP secret room in a fancy restaurant and, after having sent our bags home, everyone joked about spoiling their gift or the gift of those they were paired with, tempting people with what to expect the following day. As we finished our meals, we shuffled around into new pairs based on remaining shopping needs. Though I wanted to be able to go around with Bella, I had yet to find my gift for her and instead found myself paired with my father. Lucius hurried off with his wife and that left Bella, Draco, and Snape who all travelled together. The first few minutes with my father, walking passed store after store, was awkward, neither of us saying anything and only the occasional glance shared. Eventually, with a sigh, I realized that I didn't want to miss the opportunity to bond further with my father one-on-one, something we didn't get to do often or for long.
"Can we get ice cream?" Tom raised a brow at my request but laughed.
"In this cold….? As long as you don't tell Narcissa, then of course we can." With two scoops of strawberry in his hand, and two scoops of mint chocolate in mine, we continued our shopping in a much lighter mood. Apparently, father had already finished his shopping and he also wanted to take the opportunity to bond with me by partnering with me, this made me feel warm inside, knowing we had thought similarly.
"Who do you have left to shop for?" I licked a bit ice cream, shivering and cursing my ice cream craving in the winter before responding.
"My friends mostly, I haven't yet bought for Harry, Ron, Neville, Ginny, Luna, or the twins, or Draco. I also haven't found something for Bella yet…. Dad, do you think it'd be okay to go to muggle London as long as we're back before dinner?" He smiled again as I called him, eventually nodding.
"I'm sure that would be alright. Let's go."
Before leaving for Muggle London, I stopped to purchase the things I wouldn't be able to find; new Quidditch padding and a broom servicing kit – to go along with Draco's gift – for Ginny. I know how much she hated the padding provided by the school, complaining that it was often foul smelling and occasionally splattered with blood. A rare, limited-edition book involving rare and mysterious creature for Luna. Some of the chapters were even interesting to me as they were titled 'dragons in astronomy', 'creatures and arithmancy' and 'found in alchemy'. I hopped it involved subjects and information Luna hasn't yet learned and that she'd be able to enjoy it. I thanked my father who was the one to direct me into being able to find such rare books and he laughed as he promised to take me back at a later time, having to drag me away. In the same shop, I even managed to find another rare edition of an 'Advanced Herbology for those willing to take a risk'. Tom had spotted the book first and I observed as he quickly searched through it, almost as if looking for something. After having seemingly found it, he paused.
"Neville is brilliant in herbology, you said?" I nodded, moving to look over his shoulder on the page he stopped on. 'Barely legal medicine'. "I'm rubbish when it comes to herbology, always have been, but in my searches to discovering how to restore Alice and Frank's sanity, I came across a possibility that herbology could be a key factor… give this to him, direct him to this chapter. From what you've told me of my godson, if anyone were to be able to figure it out, it'd be him." Tears filled my eyes as he spoke of Neville as his godson, his eyes growing distant as they tend to do when he thinks of mum. I noticed how much he must miss his friends and how he must have been concerned for Neville for all these years as well.
For Ron, like Ginny, I had decided to purchase him new padding, knowing that he'd complain and sulk if I got them for his sister and not him for his first year on the team. All that left me with, is Harry, Draco, and the twins. For the twins, I knew exactly what I'd be getting them. Though it didn't exactly fit into the price limit of the Malfoy tradition, I decided to go outside the provided money and use my own finances for their gift, knowing that it was the only thing I could meaningfully and sincerely gift to them. With Harry and Draco left, we made our way to muggle London and to a shopping center. I knew exactly what I'd be buying for Draco. For the past few weeks, Draco talked about wanting new handheld crafts and hobbies. It didn't necessarily have to be a puzzle, but something he could fiddle with. With that in mind, I was very happy with the box of 70,000+ piece Lego set which, when completed, had an odd resemblance to Hogwarts, leading me to believe that someone within the company there must be a witch or wizard designer. Now, all that's left is Harry. This year more than others, I struggled to choose what I should buy for Harry. In the past years I've gotten him clothes, after he complained of all of his cousins' hand me downs, a cd player, for the summer days he spent out of the house and bored, and, for the rainy days he couldn't escape, books. This year, I was drawing a blank. We went in and out of every shop, and after an hour, I held only a small bag of numerous treats and sweets which Harry mentioned he's always seen his cousin eat but has never tried himself before.
"Well, what does Harry enjoy?" I tilted my head, looking at shops.
"Quidditch, that's something he really enjoys, but he's got a newer broomstick, and unlike Ron and Ginny, he doesn't mind the older padding. He plays chess with Ron, but after a while, I feel like it's just something he does automatically, not for enjoyment…. Other than that,… well, he's a leader. He focuses mostly on what's happening next and the best course of action to make sure no one is hurt. Bloody hell, one of my best friends is so busy trying to survive and save others that he barely has any hobbies." My father frowned with me before putting an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side.
"You know, I get a glimpse into his mind and dreams when he gets a glimpse into mine." Hope grew in me.
"And?! Did you see him playing video games or something?" Tom shook his head.
"Actually, most recently, he dreamt about watching you draw and drawing himself… or maybe he was painting… regardless, it seems Mr. Potter is interested in arts. Maybe you introduce him to a new hobby?" I thought back briefly to the times I sketched next to him, his interest and admiration as he watched the picture coming together. With a smile on my face, I bought a 'Sketching for beginners' book, as well as a new sketch book and pencils, thinking maybe next time I took time away to sketch at Hogwarts, I'd invite Harry with me rather than leaving him to play chess with Ron. Another forty minutes later, I was distraught, yet ready to return home after not being able to find anything for Bella. That is until something in a shop window caught my eye. A slightly larger than palm sized lioness toy, similar to the butterfly Bella had presented to me before.
BCBC
"Successful shopping trip?" By the time I got home, everyone else had previously returned, Draco seemed very please with himself, stopping me on my way to hide my gifts to tell me that he had also bought two red quilts, something for the twins to feel more at home when they arrive in two days time. I had hugged him for his thoughtfulness placing a kiss to his forehead while he jokingly pushed me away. Arriving to my room, I wasn't surprised to see Bella laying on the bed, seeming half asleep yet fighting a full nap until I arrived. She kept her eyes closed as I hid my gifts, only opening them as I climbed next to her on the bed, asking her a question. She hummed in response, turning on her side and waiting for me to lay by her side.
"I managed to get everything I was looking for, and you?" I nodded.
"Luckily, yes, I was worried near the end there, but it all worked out." We fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes and as Bella's breathing began to even out, I moved around until I was the one holding her. Smiling as she instinctively tightened her arms around my waist and buried her face into my chest.
BCBC
By the positioning of the sun setting outside, by the time I opened my eyes, I knew I hadn't been sleeping long. Though it was only a short time, many things have changed. Since sleeping next to Bella, I quickly learned her sleeping habits. While I tend to hug in my sleep, steal covers, and on occasions, turn at about a forty-five-degree angle, Bella had a habit of moving. She slept on one side, then the other, then back on the same side again. She'd tangle her legs with mine, then stretch them out, her hands would find my hair and sometimes rested on my face. What entertained me most, was regardless of how much she moved while sleeping, I could always tell that she was close to waking, when she would slowly return to a natural position, then waking and not knowing how much havoc she'd caused in the night yet wondering how her pillow ended up on the floor. Since falling asleep in my arms not long ago, while I woke slightly leaned closer to her, what really seemed different was the placement of my soulmate's limbs. Her hands in particular. Rather than holding my waist, head on my chest, her head now rested in an almost uncomfortable position and her hand had somehow snuck its way under the hem of my shirt, travelled along my stomach, freed my left breast from the cup of my bra and now held my bare skin, squeezing periodically in her dream. I chuckled slightly, only resulting in a harder squeeze as the sound roused her slightly, only to fall asleep once more. With gentle hands, I tried to remove myself from Bella's grasp, only resulting in the tightening of her hand, my now hardened nipple being trapped between her fingers. I gasped at the sensation, my face growing red as I grew aware of my arousal and wondered just how long Bella had been holding me like this.
"Bella… Bella, wake up." The older witch whined adorably in protest, only pulling me closer to her and curling into me, her legs twisting with my own. As fate seemed to have it, one of her thighs pressed into me delightfully in this new position.
"Babe, it's time to wake up." I pushed her hair from her face, trying again. When this act gave no response, I tried a final time. "Bellatrix, if we're not out of this room in two minutes Narcissa will hex us into next week." Beautiful brown eyes made an appearance almost immediately, much to my amusement. I watched as her eyes searched around the room, looking for danger. Finding none, she finally turned her gaze to me, smiling as we locked eyes.
"Sorry, darling. I didn't mean to fall asleep." Her hand tightened again.
"Bella…." She hummed in response. When I didn't give an answer, her face grew curious and, once more, she squeezed her hand. My blush deepened as a moan slipped its way passed my lips. Her eyes widened and she seemed to freeze, mentally assessing what was going on., her hand moved slightly, fingers tightening around and tugging the hardened nub she had been holding prisoner, her leg pressing further into me. When she finally realized what was going on, she relaxed again, yet her hand stayed in its place. Rather than moving, her fingers instead focused on my nipple, sensually and ever so slowly twisting, and twirling it, occasionally pinching to pull a gasp from my lips.
"I'm sorry, Celine. I was having quite the interesting dream and I guess with you in my arms, my body just acted." Bella and I had moved to the foundling stage of our relationship the night I returned from Grimmauld place. While fooling around, her hands often found their way to my chest and, I had very nervously followed, eventually, having the confidence to make the first move on some occasions. It definitely increased the pleasure when we reached our climax, so I have really been enjoying moving to this stage in our relationship. This moment now was no exception. My body reacted to her actions, my hips moving against the thigh she provided me as her hand travelled to my neglected breast, quickly giving it equal attention.
"You don't ever have to apologize for touching me, Bella. Never apologize for that." We fell silent for a few moments, only the sound of my breathing and occasional gasps filling the room.
"Can I try something?" I bit my lip and nodded, ready to do whatever Bella wanted to do in this moment. I almost changed my mind when her hand disappeared, as did her leg, as she moved to reposition slightly, but as she slowly coaxed my shirt over my head, giving me the time to stop her if I wanted, I didn't complain. With my shirt off, she made quick work of my bra, discarding both pieces of clothing, before returning her leg between mine, pressing into my groin as my back arched.
"Are you sure?" I nodded again, returning to my earlier rhythm. Bella's eyes locked onto my chest after confirming my consent. I watched, aroused and curious as she slowly lowered her head to my chest, her breath teasing my aching nipples. Finally, her lips pressed a gentle kiss in the valley of my breast, moving down before continuing to tease my chest with kisses. I learned in this moment just how sensitive my breast could be and just how much I enjoyed Bella foundling me. By the time my mate had covered my chest in kissed, even using the tip of her tongue to trace the underside of my breast after learning that it caused a particularly loud moan to leave my lips, my leg had found it's way between her thighs as well I worked to feel all I could of her with her corset still on.
"Bella… please." The one thing Bella has yet to do, is to bring her talented lips and tongue to my nipples and it was driving me completely insane.
"Tell me what you want, love." I blushed, my face resembling a Weasley's head of hair. I was never good at talking sexually, always growing nervous and worried I'd sound like a fool. With all these new sensations, though, I was tempted to try, especially if it would lead her to what I need.
"You… You kissed everywhere but my… my nipples. Please Bella, I need to feel you there." The moment my sentence ended, warm lips opened, trapping my nipple within the moist environment. My back arched in surprise, arching further when the sensation of a tongue soon joined, teasing the hardened nipple as my orgasm grew suddenly closer. Had I been more aware of our surroundings, I'd have been embarrassed by the volume of my moan, but instead, one of my hands continued to touch Bella's breast, the other moving to the back of her head as our thrusting into each other grew frantic. I grew even closer as Bella released my nipple, leaving the cool air of the room to chill my abandoned wet nipple as she moved to capture the other. We reached our climax together, Bella biting down gently as she moaned into my skin, her hips pushing against me in an uneven pattern. My nipples grew incredibly sensitive as I climax, only making it more intense as Bella's teeth held on roughly. We held each other as our breathing calm and our bodies cooled. Bellatrix pulled the blanket to cover my semi-nude form, this time holding me.
"We have some time left before dinner, love. Sleep."
BCBC
Dinner had been extravagant. A lovely meal was paired with alcohol, even Draco being given permission to partake. I had stayed quiet for half the meal, embarrassed after Narcissa had come to warn us that dinner was almost ready. She showed no reaction to seeing me bare-chested and instead scolded us as usual for not being ready to eat. After a while, I managed to calm as Snape cracked a joke, and I witnessed my father throw his head back laughing, caught off guard by the comment. With our meal coming to an end, we all moved to a more comfortable room to continue our casual conversations and bonding time.
I enjoyed being able to see the comfort of a family, my family as we all sat anticipating Christmas. Narcissa sat next to Lucius. She was curled on the seat with her knees tucked under her, a cup of tea held between her hands as she was cold. Lucius had noticed and wordlessly started a fire in the fireplace before summoning a fleece throw and draping it around her shoulders. Tom sat next to Draco, talking about an arithmancy subject that Draco had grown interested in and that my father excelled at. They seemed very deep in conversation, numbers and theories being thrown left and right. Snape carried a conversation with both Bella Lucius during this time, talking about their latest gathering with friends at a pub and recalling embarrassing stories from their fellow drunk wizard friend. In this time, I spoke quietly with Narcissa, both of us discussing the day spent shopping, sharing stories which wouldn't give any hints to what was bought for who. Everyone was occasionally pulled into different conversations when their names were brought up, eventually leading to a general group discussion until finally, just shy of midnight, Narcissa left for the night.
"It's already well passed my bedtime, and I need to finish wrapping a few more gifts before being able to get ready for bed." With her announcement, she, and Lucius, who was quick to follow, wished everyone a good night and a Happy Christmas before leaving the room.
Next to leave was Snape, who also hadn't begun wrapping gifts and had already stifled a yawn or two. Draco left next, his fatigue outweighing his excitement, finally. I was the next to leave, wishing my father a Happy Christmas and a goodnight before tugging on Bella's fingers slightly when father asked her to stay behind for a few minutes. A silent sign asking her to hurry to bed. In our room, I also thought it would be a good moment to wrap the gifts and, before Bella could return, I carried them into the washroom, bringing my wand. Within a few minutes and after a few incantations, the gifts were wrapped to perfection and stacked by the door, ready to be brought down when we eventually wake in the morning. I had the time to freshen up, put on my pajamas and settle in bed before Bella arrived. I watched as she went around, sorting her previously wrapped gifts by the door as well before changing into her own nightwear, being interrupted for a moment as Crookshanks scratched at our door, seemingly deciding that the foot of our bed was the best choice place to sleep tonight. When Bella finally did settle into her pillow, I leaned over to kiss her, sighing contently as she returned it sweetly. Finally, both of us settle, our duvet and own arms protecting each of from the cold of night, I drifted off to sleep, easily.
BCBC
The next day, Bella and I awoke up just after nine in the morning. While she had wanted to remain in bed, I had convinced her to go for a nice walk with me, knowing that a good part of today would be eating and wanting to at least do some form of exercise before hand. Eventually, after an hour of convincing and joking around, we were bundled up and surrounded by a warming spell before walking the grounds together, hand in hand. When we returned, there was still some time before breakfast, but it seemed everyone had gotten up and was wondering until our meal. I couldn't help the smile on my face when everyone did eventually make their way into the dinning room. Draco sat, seemingly the last to wake, in a pair of polkas dotted, red and green pajamas. His hair was pointed in every which direction, and he smiled excitedly at everyone with half lidded eyes. I couldn't help myself, reaching over and ruffling his long hair even more patting his cheek gently as I gushed about how cute he looked right now.
"Bloody hell, you're very… 'Auntie Celine' right now, Celine." I laughed.
"And you're very… 'darling nephew Draco' right now, Draco." He rolled his eyes but allowed me to pat his head one last time before, to my amusement, Narcissa reached over and did much the same as I did. Lucius, like his son, wore his pajamas and his hair, usually slicked, was flowing much more freely. I understood now why he usually put gel in it as, while he worked to put milk in his tea, he paused a few times, having to move his hair out of the way. Narcissa, while dressed, wore loose and comfortable closing, nothing I think I've ever seen her wear before. Her hair was brushed and pulled from her face, but her face free of makeup. I giggled when my father had entered the room, his hair every direction but down. He sent a goofy smile to Draco who greeted him first, the smile turning to me as I giggled. Snape, while dressed in his usual black still seemed somehow more casual than usual.
"Good morning, Professor." He sat by my side, sending me a light smile.
"As an adult, especially as… a friend… family… You may call me Severus when out of Hogwarts or alone." My heart swelled, hearing him refer to me as not only a friend but a part of the family.
Breakfast had been filled with pleasant conversation. As Narcissa had told me before, no one spoke of work or school; there was no mention of the Order, or the ministry, only us. For a while the conversation reverted back to my ability to see past the glamour on Bella. This resulted in our post-mealtime including various glamours being placed on my mate to see if I could see through them all. We eventually used glamour on myself, confirming that this must be a soulmate thing as Bella was also able to see through all the glamours as well. The conversation shifted to Polyjuice potion, something Narcissa instantly warned that we would not be attempting today thought admittedly, she also found the glamour results fascinating and wanted to test more as well. For hours we all spent time together, occasionally one or a few branching off for another activity only to return and spark up a new conversation with everyone. As we grew closer to dinner time – and presents, Draco made sure to remind us – I had asked everyone to sit on one side of the room as I had run out to retrieve my bigger sized sketch pad and some pencils. Everyone remained in their same seat as I did a basic sketch of their positions before they were free to move around. I only needed to occasionally glance at them or the room now to be able finish the details.
Dinner was an extravagant affair, food laid out from corner to corner on the table, barely any room remained for our plates. Draco looked like he could faint in excitement as he wasted no time in pilling food onto his plate. Bella also acted fast after spotting some freshly baked dinner rolls, yet managed to control herself, instead grabbing some potatoes and serving both her and me. With it being the holidays, I took no shame in eating all that I could, and then some more as dessert came around. As the table was cleared by the elves, Lucius, my father, and Severus requesting some fire whiskey to sip as we opened gifts and all others, myself included, requested tea. We were given ten minutes – by Draco – to clean up and bring our gifts downstairs, hoping that we could begin opening gifts in no more than fifteen minutes.
"Alright there, darling?" Arriving in our room, I had fallen back on our bed, hands to my stomach.
"I ate so much." Bella chuckled, moving to sit next to me, removing my hands to replace them with her own and rubbing in a comforting circle.
"Do you need me to bring you a potion?" I shook my head.
"No, that feels nice. As long as I don't have anything else to eat, the tea should help to settle my stomach too." Bella didn't respond, instead continuing to rub my stomach. As our ten-minute limits drew to an end, we pushed ourselves to our feet, me with added assistance, and we wondered downstairs, gifts hovering behind us.
Everyone absolutely loved their gifts and seemed eager to want to go and test everything out. My father had shed a tear when seeing my gift, the picture. He had stared at it for a long time before pulling me into a tight hug, holding me for a few moments before thanking me quietly. Draco had been mesmerized by the Lego set, making an agreement to sit with the family for another hour or so before retiring to his room and beginning to build. Bella had giggled seeing the lioness, holding it tightly to her chest as I had done with my butterfly and kissing it on the head. She had happily commented that, while we were together, now my butterfly could be with her girlfriend as well.
When gift giving came to an end, I had a wide collection of sketching materials, paints, charcoal, pastels, and watercolor; many I've never worked with before but was eager to see what kind of things I'd be able to create. I also had some beautiful new clothes, some beginner puzzles to complete, sweets and treats to return to Hogwarts with, hopefully to snack on them whenever I feel homesick. Some of the books I had been mesmerized by in that 'rare finds' book shop even made its way to me much to my excitement. Bella had knitted a scarf for me with special fabric. While it may seem like a handmade, fluffier version of a Hogwarts scarf, with the flick of a wrist, it would change designs. Bella showed me how to do it, turning the original Gryffindor design into Slytherin, winking as she commented how good I looked in her house colors. Everyone spent another hour finishing their tea or drink and sincerely thanking everyone for their gifts. By ten at night, everyone gathered their gifts and retired for the night.
"Celine, love. Come here." While Bella had bathed after our walk, I did so as we returned to our room. Exiting in my pajamas, I spotted Bella, crossed leg on our bed and with something held in her fist. I climbed on the bed, kneeling next to her. She brushed my hair behind my ear, leaving her hand on my cheek as I leaned into it, her thumb brushing my cheek.
"I have one more gift…. This one is really for us, which is why I wanted to give it to you now." Opening her hand, I saw two necklaces. The chain on both were a normal, discrete silver chain, yet the pendants were sized slightly larger than a coin. The pendants were hypnotising to look at, a purple mist swirling around a void. She clasped one necklace around my neck, laying the pendant flush against my chest, below my collar. She then clasped the other. The moment the pendant touched her skin, my own came to life. Growing increasingly warmer before resembling almost the heat of another human.
"That warmth you're feeling is my body heat, and what I feel, is yours. This pendant works only for soulmates, those who need to be separated especially. This way, I can feel you, and you me." My heart swelled and my eyes watered. I instantly reached up and stroked a finger along the pendant. Bella gasped. Noticing my surprised gaze, she explained through action, reaching for her own pendant. The moment her fingers touched, stroking down the pendant, I felt the ghost of her hand on my chest were the necklace lay, a single finger stroking the skin underneath. A tear escaped my eye, and she was quick to wipe it away. She continued to show me that I could also push magic into it, when done on her side, I received a quick glimpse of her emotional state, pure happiness. The next few moments involved quite a lot of kissing as I thanked her for this gift, knowing that it would definitely make the last stretch of school a lot more bearable now that I could feel her.
"Bella. Before I return to Hogwarts, I need you to take me. Have all of me." She chuckled deep in her chest, kissing me deeply.
"Of course, darling, there no question about that. After the ball, I plan on taking you away, having you to myself, in every way." She kissed me again and my head swam at the force. Before we could get carried away. She gave me a final kiss, reminding me that there were things to be done tomorrow and that I needed to rest. Like I've grown to love, I fell asleep in her arms, no horrible dreams to bother me, only her warmth.