Chapter Nine: Christmas at the Manor

AUTHORS NOTE: (For the description of Alyona's wand, I picture it looking exactly like Hermione Granger's vine wand she had from the Prisoner of Azkaban movie onwards to the Deathly Hallows part one movie, but Alyona's version of the wand is in a pure white color)

It was the morning of Christmas Eve and Narcissa, Draco and Alyona were eating the lovely breakfast that was prepared for them.

"How did you two sleep last night?" Narcissa asked them. "I slept really well" Alyona replied before taking another bite of her bagel. "I slept well too" Draco said. He looked around and realized that his father wasn't there. They had always eaten together. "Where's father?" Draco asked. "Your father is at the ministry at the moment." She said. She was very clearly annoyed with Lucius's outright accusations towards their guest. Alyona was delightful, and now because of Lucius this poor girl is going to be too afraid to ever come back.

Just then Lucius walked up the stairs and over to the dining table. "Alright, that's all sorted." He said. He walked over to were Draco and Alyona were sitting and laid the documents down in the table beside her. "These are authentic. Miss Blossom is telling the truth after all" he said in a delighted tone. He looked at her "I'm sorry if I frightened you, dear. It's just that we take blood purity in this household very, very seriously. I hope you aren't upset with the way I behaved. It won't happen again I can assure you." He said apologetically.

"It's okay Mr. Malfoy, I'm not mad. But, please don't tell my parents that you know our secret. They've always been very strict with us about keeping our mouths shut about it." Lucius looked at her empathetically. "Of course dear. Your secret will never leave the walls of this manor, I can assure you that. He said reassuringly. Lucius smiled down at her. "Oh also, no need to be so formal dear. You may consider us your second family" he said. Narcissa smiled at her husbands kindness. "Absolutely, our home is always open to you." She said to Alyona.

Lucius turned and walked over to look out of one of the large windows that surrounded the dinning room. It was a sunny winter day. Not a single cloud in the sky but plenty of snow on the ground. "What would you like to do today, Alyona? We have plenty of trails and large hills on the property." He told her. Alyona looked outside from her seat. "It is rather pretty outside, maybe we could go sledding?" She asked. Draco perked up. "Ya, that sounds like loads of fun, good idea." He said to Alyona.

"Why that's sounds like a wonderful idea. I'll have the house elf gather the sleds from the storage room and take them out there for you two." He said happily. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy." Alyona said as she and Draco stood up from their seats. "Of course, now run along you two and get changed in your winter attire and head out to the top of the hill there. I'll have those sleds ready and waiting for you both." He told them. The both started running towards Dracos room to get changed. Lucius stopped his son before he could get to his room. "Now make sure she's safe out there, son. She is very precious." He told Draco in a very serious tone. "Don't worry father, I'll make sure she doesn't get hurt." He said. Lucius smiled. "Good, now run along. She's probably waiting for you."

Outside on the snowy hill, the two of them having a blast. After about a half hour of sledding they had used their wands to build large snow forts and craft the perfect pile of snow balls for battle. The snow was nice and fluffy, perfect for molding.

"Are you ready for war?" Draco said jokingly as he finished off his last snowball. Alyona giggled. "I'm more than ready, sorry for any bruises in advance." She replied with a laugh. They wasted no time at all. They each hurled snow balls at each other's forts trying to knock them down. They were laughing and dodging at the same time. "I'm gonna get you, Malfoy!" Alyona shouted playfully. "Oh ya, we'll see about that!" He shouted from behind his fort. They continued for about ten minutes or so, until the last snowball Draco tossed her way connected with her cheek. She fell to the cold ground, her wand flying out of her hand. "Alyona!" He shouted as he ran over to her. She was sitting on the ground holding the side of her face.

"Are you alright? I'm so sorry, Darling. I didn't mean for it to hit your face." Draco said as he held her. "Here, let me see it" he said as he carefully moved her hand away from her face. "It's a little red, but I think it'll turn back to normal in a little bit. Does it hurt?" He asked. "Oh, it's not too bad. It's okay I know it was an accident. I mean, it's a snowball fight, what did I expect?" She said in a joking manner. "My wand, I can't see my wand." She sounded worried. "It should stick out against the snow, we'll find it" he reassured her. "My wand is Aspen, it'll be impossible to find it." She said sounding discouraged as she got up and surveyed the ground. After a moment, luckily she spotted it. Alyona picked up her wand and brushed the snow off of it. Draco was surprised, he had never really paid attention to her wand before. He could see what she was talking about now.

Alyona's wand was made from Aspen wood. Wand-quality aspen wood is very rare and highly prized by wand makers. Aspen wands are known for their striking pure, bright white color. It was a simple straight wand that gradually tapered from the handle all the way to the pointed tip. It featured a subtle textured vine pattern that was the same color as the wand itself. The white vines wrapped around from the base of the wand to about three quarters the way to the top. The shape, the color, and the intricate detailing on wand made it reminiscent of a polished unicorn's horn. It's was pretty, just like it's owner.

"I've never seen a wand like that before. What's it made of?" Draco asked. "It's aspen, with a Unicorn hair core." She told him. Draco smiled "that's what my core is too." He mentioned

Draco's wand was made from Hawthorn wood. It was also straight with a two tone color design. The handle of the wand was black that turned into a medium shade of brown all the way down the shaft to the tip. The handle had two simple raised line details on it. Overall it was a wand that said 'I mean business', just like it's owner.

"I'm glad you're alright, I wouldn't have forgiven myself if I had hurt you badly." Draco said still feeling embarrassed. "It's okay, I promise. Did you want to warm up inside?" Alyona asked him.

"Sure, let's do that" he said cheerfully. The two of them went inside for some hot chocolate and gourmet sweets.

That night they had a wonderful dinner. Alyona didn't think it could get any better than last night but she had been proven wrong to her delight. There was an endless array of entrees, sides, drinks and desserts. Lucius and Narcissa had asked about their day. The two filled them in on their epic sledding and snowball fight. "Oh my, Alyona is alright I hope." Narcissa said. "Oh I'm fine, it was all in good fun." She replied.

They finished up their dinner and played a few board games. Once it was getting a little later into the night they had started to get sleepy. "That's the third yawn in the last five minutes, maybe it's about time you two get to bed." Lucius said. "Ya, I am having a hard time keeping my eyes open" said Alyona. Draco yawned as well. "You can have my bed again, Alyona. I'll sleep on the sofa." He said. Narcissa quickly interjected "oh nonsense, you two can share Draco's bed. It is a king size after all." Draco and Alyona looked at each other. "That sounds good to me." Draco said with a smile. The two of them said their goodnights to the Malfoys and headed off to bed.

Alyona hoped into bed in her pink pajamas and Draco, wearing his dark green pajamas, climbed into bed next to her. He waved his wand and the lights went out. The moon being the only source of light in the room. "Goodnight, Draco" she said as she rolled over to lay on her left side. Draco did the same and moved closer to put his arm securely around her. "Goodnight, Darling. Sweet dreams." He said softly. Within minutes they were both fast asleep.

They woke up Christmas morning with excitement in there eyes. They raced out to the living room to see a massive assortment of presents. Lucius and Narcissa were already up and waiting for them. "Merry Christmas, you two" Narcissa said with a smile. "Merry Christmas" they both said. Alyona loved watching people open gifts. She loved the excitement and happiness of others when they got the gifts they were hoping for. "Open your gifts Draco, I want to see what you got" she told him.

They watched as Draco tore threw shiny silver wrapping paper. He got so many designer clothes, shoes and even a Rolex watch. "I love all of it! Thank you mother, thank you Father." He exclaimed. "Alyona I want you to open you presents too." Draco said with enthusiasm. Alyona looked at the Malfoys with slight confusion. "I have gifts?" She asked.

"Well of course dear, how could we forget about you" Lucius said. Alyona walked over to the tree and found the boxes with her name on them. She began to open them up one by one and was absolutely blown away. A grey and black floor length gown made from tulle and lace, a pair of Versace ballet flats, a silver necklace with a rather large diamond set in the center pendant with many smaller diamonds surrounding it. And in the last box a solid silver tiara with hundreds of diamonds set into it. "I picked that out for you myself. I figured it would look lovely on you." Draco said, proudly.

Alyona looked at them with tears in her eyes. "You guys…these gifts… I love them so much." She said as she stared crying. She ran over to hug the Malfoys. "I love all of it, thank you so so much. Narcissa smiled "Of course dear, we wanted to show you how much you mean to us." Alyona suddenly realized that her gift to them was nothing compared to the treasures they gifted to her. She went to her suitcase and brought over a single gift for Draco and a single gift for Lucius and Narcissa. "The gifts I got for you guys really aren't much, but I hope you like it." She said as she handed them their presents. "Oh Alyona, please, we don't need a gift from you. That's our job" she said with a smile. Draco opened his box to see a black Gucci belt. "Oh my goodness, Alyona. Thank you, I love it!" He said. He gave her the biggest hug. Lucius and Narcissa opened their box to see a fifty thousand pound gift card to Harrods Department store. "Maybe you've been there before? It's a designer store in London that my mom and I have been to a lot." She said, hoping that they liked their gift. Narcissa looked touched "Awww, Sweetheart, this is so thoughtful but we can't except this. This is far too generous. Thank you so much though."

Lucius chimed in "We are just happy to make yours and Draco's Christmas as wonderful as possible." Alyona smiled and shed a couple happy tears. After trying on some of their new clothes the two of them put on their winter gear for some more sledding, this time on the slightly larger hill on the other side of the manor. It was another beautiful day and they had played outside for hours and hours.

Once they had decided to come back inside they were right on time for dinner. They four of them had another wonderful feast and after some board games it was off to bed. Draco and Alyona lay in the same position as the night before.

"Goodnight Draco, and Merry Christmas." Draco smiled as he looked at her. "Goodnight, my Darling. Merry Christmas." He said to her. They drifted off to sleep rather quickly as Alyona lay snuggled up in Draco's arms.