"Look out!"
Mara didn't have time to think. She ducked just in time for a snowball to go rushing past her head. She watched with wide eyes as the ball of snow collided with a boy in a Gryffindor scarf and winced as he tumbled into the ground with a groan.
As she surveyed him, she spotted a gold prefect badge on his chest. Two arms wound themselves around her shoulders and Mara didn't even need to look up to know who they were.
"I didn't think we put that much power into it," Fred said, thoughtfully. He brushed a hand across his chin as if thinking.
"Maybe Percy's just a weakling," George shrugged.
Percy Weasley sat up from where he had fallen, his eyes narrowed on the twins. Mara shivered from the dark look on his face but the twins seemed unaffected.
The Prefects glasses were crooked as he rose from the snow, the white flakes caught in his hair and scarf. He stormed over to them and Mara flinched, looking around for somewhere to hide.
Fred and George just smirked at their brother as he came to a halt in front of them. Percy took in a deep breath…
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO! YOU COULD HAVE HURT SOMEONE! CAN'T YOU GO ONE DAY WITHOUT CAUSING CHAOS TO ERUPT!"
Mara stared at the prefect with wide eyes as she shrunk from his screams. Fred and George, however, were unbothered.
"We said to duck," Fred shrugged.
"You should've been listening," George gave his older brother a grin.
At this point, Mara was convinced the twins had brain damage.
Percy's face turned a brighter shade of red as he glowered down at his brothers. Mara tried to shrug off the twins' arms to get out of the crossfire but their arms only tightened around her.
George sent her a wink and she paled as a thought occurred to her.
"Besides it's not like you can do anything," George grinned.
"It's Christmas break so there's no detention," Fred gave his brother a smug grin.
Percy's eyes narrowed.
Mara was now absolutely positive of what was going on now.
Percy gave them a nod, fixing his glasses.
"You are both correct. As it is Christmas break, I am unable to give you detentions," He looked at them, his eyes narrowed.
Fred and George stiffened around them. Mara flinched from the demonic look in his eyes.
"However, you have failed to account for one thing."
Percy raised his wand and a dozen snowballs raised out of the snow behind them.
Mara squeaked as Fred and George paled significantly.
He gave them a dark grin, "I'm also not a Prefect on Christmas break."
Mara ducked as Percy's wand flew forward and she heard the screams of the twins from behind her.
Once she was positive the carnage had ended, she looked up. Percy crossed his arms, a smug look on his face.
He looked down at her and gave her a small smile. "Don't worry, I wasn't going to let them use you as a shield."
Mara didn't know whether to be mad at the twins or impressed with Percy. Both, she decided, both is good.
She gave him a nervous smile before turning around. Her eyes went wide.
The twins were buried in at least a foot of snow, both groaning.
The twins glared up at their brother, before getting mischievous grins on their faces.
Percy narrowed his eyes but Mara was already walking backward. She did not want to come in between siblings.
Mara gave a nervous laugh as Fred and George stood up, facing their brother down.
"This means war!" All three brothers declared at the same time.
Mara couldn't see past all the snow. She ducked behind a bench, hoping it would protect her as the three brothers began spelling snowballs across the field.
Mara could only stare in horror as Harry, Ron, and Neville came strolling into the field, unknowing of the warzone they had just stepped into.
A snowball went sailing past George's face and right into Ron's.
For a moment, everything was silent. Harry and Neville started to back away as Ron brushed the snow off his face. His eyes narrowed at the group.
"This means war," He declared. With a war cry that resembled a Viking, Ron jumped into the fray, snowballs already in his hands.
Harry and Neville looked at each other with wide eyes before shrugging. The two of them let out the same war cry, charging in with snowballs.
"For glory!" Neville yelled, throwing a snowball at Percy only for it to hit the sixth year Ravenclaw behind him.
Mara could only watch as a simple snowball fight turned into war.
"Well, this certainly looks like fun," Lily said, appearing next to her. Mara jumped as the girl looked at the scene with wide, sparkling eyes.
"Are you not going to join?" Lily asked her friend. Mara looked back at the scene as ten snowballs suddenly hit Fred at the same time. He fell back into the snow as George cried "No! I will avenge you!" and started throwing snowballs twice as fast.
Percy got hit in the face, knocking his glasses off a good five feet. Ron and Neville cheered until they both got hit by two sixth year's endless snowballs.
Mara gulped but knew she wouldn't be able to resist Lily's puppy-dog eyes. They would get slaughtered in a heartbeat.
Mara caught a brown-haired girl in her vision. She grinned, waving a hand for the girl to come over.
Peyton Bell rose an eyebrow at Mara's request but came over, ducking behind the bench as well.
"Feel up to throwing some snowballs?" Mara asked, hopefully.
Peyton looked over at the scene before a smirk wound its way onto her face.
"Why not?" She shrugged.
Lily and Mara giggled, turning to the girl as she pulled out her wand. "Here's the charm to make snowballs," Peyton said, waving her wand.
A pile of twelve snowballs wound itself up. Peyton looked back at the chaotic scene with pursed lips before smirking.
"You guys know some charms right?" Peyton asked. Mara and Lily nodded.
"Let's have some fun," Peyton grinned.
"Aye, Aye, Captain," Lily said, giggling.
Mara grinned as she grabbed a snowball from the top of the pile and threw it at the third year who had joined the fight. Mara smirked as the third year fell to the ground, bursting into uncontrollable giggles.
Mara aimed again, aiming for the sixth year who had taken out Fred. She cheered when the snowball hit him dead in the face, turning the boy's skin bright pink where the snow had touched. She laughed.
As Peyton continued making snowballs, bewitching them with different spells and hexes, Mara and Lily continued to throw them. They got Ron with a smoke bomb snowball. They got George with a snowball that caused him to burst into uncontrollable song.
They got Neville with a spell that stuck his shoes to the ground where he was then pulled by a dozen snowballs. He fell back into the snow with a groan, his shoes still stuck to the ground.
"Why's it always me?" He moaned.
Mara spelled one snowball and managed to hit the third year with a babbling hex.
Finally, it was only the three girls versus Harry. Mara sent him a confident grin as the three girls narrowed in on their target.
"Surrender, Harry," She called out, "And no one else gets hurt. Mainly you."
"I thought you knew me better than that, sister," Harry called out from behind his cover. "I never surrender!"
"Oh, I know," Mara countered with a grin, "I just wanted to give you a chance to save your pride!"
Mara grinned over at her two partners. Lily giggled and Peyton smirked.
"Now!" Mara yelled out. She jumped over the bench, barely dodging the snowball Harry sent at her. She ducked as another one was thrown and raced towards her brother, sliding across the snow until she saw Harry's panicked face.
With a grin, she threw her snowball and watched as three snowballs hit Harry simultaneously. Harry's eyes widened as the impact caused him to fall over into the snow.
Mara high fived Lily and then Peyton as the three girls burst into laughter.
"This battle goes to the girls!" George declared with a grin.
Mara covered her mouth with her hand as she caught sight of Harry. Harry had been dunked completely in flashing red and green colors and had even grown a red nose and antlers.
Harry looked up at them with a groan. Mara giggled but leaned down a hand to help him up. One side of him turned green and the other red and the two colors continued to switch. Harry grabbed her hand.
Her brother's nose turned bright red.
Mara was sent into another fit of giggles, dropping her hand and Harry fell back into the snow.
"The spells will wear off in half an hour," Peyton said, a smirk across her face.
Harry looked up at her with a glare before rolling his eyes.
"Good game," He nodded with a smile.
"I hope everyone has had their fun," McGonagall said, a stern look on her face.
Everyone froze.
Mara sunk into herself, shame filling her. The courtyard had snow everywhere and several makeshift forts erupted around the grounds.
Percy was quick into action as he jumped up, brushing the snow off his cloak. He stood at attention, his arms held behind his back in front of the professor. He dared to lock eyes with his head of the house. "I will accept full responsibility, Professor. It was my idea," Percy said, his voice strong.
Fred and George exchanged shocked looks.
"Oh, and what exactly are you taking responsibility for, Mr. Weasley?" Professor McGonagall narrowed her eyes, her lips pursed at the perfect.
"Since it is Christmas eve, I believed a show of sportsmanship and unity between the houses was not only necessary but our responsibility to do so as students," Percy said, completely confident. "The Headmaster wanted us to demonstrate the spirit of Christmas. I felt nothing better demonstrated the spirit than a good old fashioned snowball fight."
Around the courtyard, the students all exchanged disbelieving looks. Mara bit her lip to keep from smiling at the sweet actions of the elder Weasley boy.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow at him, staring him down but Percy didn't so much as flinch.
Finally, she sighed. "You're in charge of cleaning this up, Mr. Weasley,"
Percy nodded, his lips thinned.
"On Thursday," She looked at the group. Her eyes stopped on Mara for a second. She smiled at them. "Congratulations of your win, Miss Potter, Miss Bell, Miss Moon."
"It was an excellent show of magic," She finished giving them an almost proud look. Mara's cheeks turned red. She could only nod but Peyton smirked.
"Just doing our duties, Professor," Peyton said, echoing Percy's statement.
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow and Mara could almost spot amusement in her dark gaze.
"Enjoy the rest of your Christmas Eve," she said, walking away.
Once she left, a collective breath of relief went around the group. Mara laughed, turning to Peyton and Lily with a bright smile. Lily giggled.
"Aw, thanks Perce!" Fred claimed, almost tackling his elder brother in a hug.
"Get off of me!" Percy sputtered, his cheeks bright red though Mara suspected it wasn't from the cold. As Percy scoffed, brushing imaginary dust off his clothes, the twins turned to the group of three girls.
"Hey, Mara," Two arms slid across her shoulders once again. Mara sent the twins a smug look.
"Bet you won't be using me as a shield anymore, huh?" Mara grinned.
Fred put his hand over his heart with a gasp. "I am offended that you could think that low of me!"
"We are perfectly chivalrous Gryffindors!" George echoed his behavior with a grin.
Peyton snorted. "You two are called the devil twins in most circles."
George and Fred eyed the brown-haired girl with a sneaky grin. "Speaking of chivalrous Gryffindors," Fred started, slipping his arm away from Mara and placing it on Peyton's shoulder.
Peyton raised an eyebrow, curiously.
"We've got a proposition for you," George grinned.
Mara and Peyton exchanged a confused look while Lily just giggled.
Mara woke up to a slight chill. She rubbed her cold nose, whining as she curled into her blankets. Her soft and warm blanket felt like heaven from the chill in the room.
A weight at her feet reminded her she wasn't alone.
'If you don't wish to be cold, I suggest you close the window,' a voice said though not aloud.
It took a few seconds for Mara's tired and groggy brain to recognize who was speaking to her.
"Breena?" She questioned, her voice hoarse from sleep and muffled from under her blankets.
A warm feeling flickered into Mara's chest but the feeling felt foreign somehow. It felt like laughter from a really bad pun and another feeling she couldn't recognize right away.
It felt like home.
Mara groaned, sitting up in bed, the blanket falling to her waist. She shivered as the cold assaulted her bare arms. She rubbed her sleep covered eyes, trying to get her brain to wake up.
A loud hoot chorused, echoing through the empty room.
An owl? Mara's eyes shot open and sure enough, a snowy owl was perched on the windowsill, a letter tied to its leg. Mara blinked her eyes a few more times to make sure she was seeing this. Light snow covered the windowsill and part of the floor and sure enough, the window was open.
Mara frowned, turning a bewildered gaze to Breena. Breena simply purred from where she was perched on the end of the bed.
She turned her eyes to Mara with a huff of amusement. 'Your dwell mate let the bird in at early sunrise. The bird says she has something for you,' Breena said.
Mara blinked a few more times, not seeming to register what was going on. As she let out a yawn, she suddenly remembered what day it was.
Mara gasped and jumped out of bed, a huge grin coming onto her face.
"It's Christmas, Breena!" She shouted, unable to contain her excitement.
She raced over to the snowy owl, which gave a soft hoot at her as if greeting her. Mara smiled brightly at the owl before learning down to untie the letter.
She unfolded the letter, noticing the emerald green handwriting of her mother.
"Mara,
Happy Christmas!
Your father and I figured it was about time to get the two of you your owl. While we're always connected by the journals, there will be times you need to send letters, for example keeping in contact with your friends over breaks or the summer. This sweetheart is named Hedwig. She is very intelligent, even as far as magical owls go. We sent a few more presents with her. We love you both so much and we'll see you after new years.
Love,
Mum
Mara smiled, looking up at the snowy owl, her eyes bright.
"Hi, Hedwig," she cooed, reaching out a hand. The birds' amber eyes focused on her outstretched hand, her head tilted to the side curiously. Hedwig let out a small trill, reaching forward to nibble on Mara's fingers.
Mara giggled from the tickling feeling.
"I'm sure Harry's got some treats he can share with you," She said to the owl. Hedwig tilted her head as if listening and then let out a soft hoot, spreading her wings and taking off through the window.
Mara laughed before turning to the trunk at the end of her bed. The common room was rather empty since only Mara and Peyton stayed behind for the holidays. Peyton's' bed was made up and looked as if she had never slept in it at all.
Mara sighed. She would never understand the odd girl.
Mara excitedly got onto her knees, pulling the group of presents off her trunk and setting them softly beside her bed.
She pulled open her trunk, reaching for the presents she had pre-wrapped. Mara grinned, pulling out a bundle of candy canes she had gotten at Diagon Alley.
"Marsh Malley's Magic Canes" she read on the label. Softly, she grabbed a bundle of three candy canes, held together by red and green strings and placed it on Peyton's trunk.
She hoped this would be a good enough thank you for the girl considered she had saved her a lot of pain, if not her life from the bludger.
"Alright, Breena!" Mara said, getting to her feet. She sent her familiar a grin. Breena watched her lazily, her tail flicking behind her.
"Traditions call," Mara winked. Breena's ears flicked in her direction but she gave no other indication she knew heard her bonded.
Mara grabbed her wand off the stand next to her bed and waved it circularly.
"8:49" the numbers hovered above her arm. Her eyes widened in a panic, as she rushed down the stairs.
"I'm late!"
'When aren't you?' Breena huffed amusedly as her bonded rushed out of the room. Breena, however, frowned when the presents left on the floor twitching.
Breena huffed, ignoring the movement until the twenty-something presents suddenly jerked and went flying out of the room, racing after Mara.
Breena stared with wide eyes before ignoring the development.
Humans always were weird.
"Happy Christmas, Neville!" Mara huffed as she tried to calm her breaths from running down the stairs. She leaned against the red couch in the common room, breathing heavily.
Neville smiled at her, his cheeks were slightly red. "Happy Christmas, Mara," He said quietly.
"Harry and Ron?" she huffed out.
Neville shook his head. "They're still asleep. Harry was out late last night."
Mara ignored the last part.
"Excellent," She grinned, her eyes gleaming at Neville.
Neville frowned worriedly at her.
"You're scary sometimes, Mara," He commented.
Mara only cackled madly in return before a loud banging came from upstairs. Neville frowned at the staircase but Mara simply cackled on.
A large group of presents came flying down the stairs and Neville opened his mouth to warn Mara but it was too late as the presents flew smack into Mara, knocking her to the ground.
Neville scrambled to get up, peering over the red couch. Mara lay on the floor, face down, groaning softly. The presents surrounded her, undamaged.
Neville stifled a laugh with his hand, watching as Mara picked herself on her knees. She rubbed her forehead with a frown.
"Way to get into the Christmas spirit, Mara," Neville couldn't help himself.
Mara glared at him harshly as he let out a laugh.
"I'll go wake up Harry by myself then," Mara huffed, standing up and crossing her arms.
Neville gave her a guilty smile. "Why'd your presents attack you anyway?"
Mara frowned briefly before shaking her head. "Don't know. It doesn't matter though, Weirder things have happened." She shrugged before running up the boy's staircase, whistling a jolly tune.
Neville shook his head in exasperation. The twins were going to kill him someday.
There was a loud screech and then two thumpings on the floor.
"MARA!"
"THE BLOODY HELL, WOMAN!"
Neville smiled softly at where Mara had disappeared.
He probably wouldn't mind.
Mara came down the stairs, whistling happily but sporting a new red mark on her cheek.
Neville winced in sympathy. Ron and Harry trudged downstairs after her. Ron stifled a yawn behind his hand while Harry glared darkly at his sister's back.
Neville hid his smile behind his hand.
Mara grinned, waving her wand. The presents dropped behind the couch lifted, splitting themselves and landing in front of each of them. Mara waved her wand a second time and the fairy lights on the walls lit up.
"Showoff" Harry muttered darkly.
Mara sent him a pouting look.
"You open the first present!"
Harry rolled his eyes but sat down on the floor.
Ron plopping down next to him with a tired yawn. "If you guys got Weasley family sweaters, I apologize in advance. Mum goes a bit overboard."
Harry and Neville looked at him for a second before turning their eyes to Mara in unison.
Her cheeks turned red as she huffed. "It's not overboard! It's called sharing the love!" She pouted.
Harry cracked a smile, reaching for the first present. Sure enough, the lumpy sized present was an emerald green sweater and a bucket of fudge from Mrs. Weasley. He smiled, pulling on the oversized fabric.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Told you so."
"It's really warm," Harry said, snuggling into the warm fabric. He'd never had a homemade sweater before but it was nice.
"Mum puts warming charms into the fabric," Ron said nonchalantly as he went next opening the grubby package in front of him.
"Maroon," Ron muttered, as he pulled the sweater over his head. "I hate maroon." Despite this, he popped open his bucket of fudge and stuffed his face with one.
Mara went next, choosing a smaller package wrapped in twine. She ripped it open, revealing a wooden flute carved.
"It's from Hagrid!" She grinned at the messy handwriting on the package before blowing into the flute. Mara blinked in surprise as a noise resembling a howl came from the flute.
Her cheeks turned red as her eyes sparkled. "I hope he likes the dragon lantern I sent him. He told me he likes dragons," She said.
Neville went next, opening a smaller box. He pulled out a pouch and a note. He immediately recognized his gran's handwriting.
"Ooh?" Mara said, leaning in closer to inspect the moleskine pouch.
Neville scanned the letter, sighing at the harsh words. "It's got a recall charm on it so I won't lose it like the others."
Harry winced. "Could've been worse. She could've sent you another remember all with a recall charm."
Neville sighed.
The group took turns opening their presents. Harry got a box of Bertie Botts flavored beans from Ron and the collection of The Chronicles of Narnia from Hermione. Neville got him a book about dueling and some treats for Aura. Surprisingly, he also got a handcrafted flute from Hagrid, though his resembled an owl.
Ron got a box of sweets from his older brother, Bill (he's in Egypt studying to be a curse breaker, Ron told them), A picture and letter from Charlie but when he opened up the letter, a shiny colored scale fell out (it's a dragon scale!" he told them excitedly, "Charlies studying dragons in Romania!"), Ron was hesitant to open the present from Fred and George and for good reason as when Neville opened it for him, they were treated to a huge hairy spider popping out from the package. Luckily, it was only animated for a moment before it turned into its plush form. Ron threw it out the window with a dark look on his face. Percy sent him two galleons and he got a letter from his younger sister, Ginny, who complained about things being boring now that he's gone and a full-page rant about how much she admires and loves Mara. (Ginny loves Mara, Ron told them as Mara's cheeks went bright red.)
He loved the live quidditch watcher he got from Neville especially when they turned it to find a special Christmas match between the Hollyhead harpies and the Chudley Cannons (The harpies won). Hermione sent him a homework helper, which he rolled his eyes but kept it close anyway. Harry got him a new wizard's chess set which Ron opened immediately, challenging Harry to a game.
Neville and Mara laughed at the desolate look on his face. Ron opened his present from Mara and squealed ("I did not!" Ron adamantly denied later.). It took a lot of work to find but Mara managed to find a Chudley Cannons Cannon. It locked onto Ron's hand and when he pushed the button, orange, and orange, black and yellow confetti flew across the room. Luckily, the confetti disappeared after a few moments.
Neville got a pouch of galleons from his uncle (the same one who dropped him out of a window when he was eight) with a letter saying 'Congrats on not being a total failure as a wizard'. Neville just sighed, used to the behavior but Mara had ripped the letter from his grip and dropped it into the fire with no remorse. Hermione got Neville a muggle chemistry kit which he was super interested in as he'd never seen one before (it's like potions?" He'd asked, baffled). Ron got him a case of Licorice wands and Mrs. Weasley sent him a lime green sweater with an N on the front. Harry got him some books on plants used for potion ingredients (likely encouraging Neville not to give up in Snape's class despite how much of a trainwreck it was, Mara couldn't help but think). Mara got him some self-shuffling cards and a sneezing plant under a stasis charm.
Neville freaked when he saw the plant. (These are so cool, I've always wanted one but Gran always said no!). Mara beamed at his response.
Mara got a huge box of chocolate frogs from Ron (Harry grumbled darkly at Ron who rubbed his head sheepishly), Hermione sent her a box of muggle pens and pencils and a bag with an extended charm. She got a Weasley sweater as well though hers was light blue with an M on the front. Neville got her a book of hard to find charms (probably the only book besides Wables Fables that she would read).
The group got a bunch of smart answer quills from Fred and George though when Mara tried one out, she realized it was broken (or tampered with) and only spouted out sarcastic answers instead.
"Heres your present from me, Harry," Mara smiled as she handed over the square-shaped present, wrapped in red, gold and white paper.
Harry unwrapped the present as carefully as he did the others but blanched at the dark covered book in his hand. Mara grinned as his hands shook slightly.
He looked at her in explanation and she grinned. "I nabbed it from the Family vault. I figured you can make better use of it than me."
Harry stared at her his eyes misty before studying the book. The book was bound in black leather and a gold lock on the side sealed the book from any intrusions. The lock didn't have a keyhole but blood lock. On the front of the book was the Potter House crest in it's red, gold and white colors.
Harry didn't waste any time before pulling his sister into a hug. He didn't care about his hand or any of the weird things going on, all he cared about was his sister giving him something he desperately wanted.
"What is it?" Ron asked, confused. Neville leaned over as Harry sat back from the hug.
Neville gasped, turning to Mara with a flabbergasted look. "Is that what I think it is?"
"What? What is it?" Ron demanded, annoyed.
"It's the Potter Family Grimoire," Harry said, still in disbelief.
"All the family secrets in that tiny little book," Neville said awed. He raised a disapproving eyebrow at Mara. "You stole it?"
Mara huffed. "Of course not. It was in the family vault, and as part of the Family, I have as much claim as Mum or Dad."
She sent a mischievous wink at the end, leaving the boys with no doubt that she stole it.
"You get caught with that and you'll be in huge trouble," Neville reminded him.
"Then I won't let them see it," Harry answered, a huge grin on his face.
Neville sighed in exasperation.
Harry placed the book next to him though, grabbing the last present, the one he got for Mara. He didn't say anything, just handed the small box to Mara.
Mara grinned, taking the box with an excited grin. Unlikely Harry, who unwrapped every present carefully with a heavy consideration as to what might be inside, Mara tore into the wrapping with a frenzy though luckily none of the presents had ever been damaged.
Mara opened the box and gasped at the beautiful necklace inside. The gold locket had the potter crest engraved on the front. As she opened it, she gasped loudly. The locket magically expanded in her hands as pictures appeared. She tapped one of the pictures (of Harry and her, arms around one another) with her finger and it illuminated into a holographic image which replayed the picture in a 3D form.
She watched over and over as the younger version of Harry slung an arm around her younger self, a bright grin on their faces despite being muddied up from an impromptu quidditch match.
Mara's eyes welled with tears.
"There should be room for hundreds of pictures in there," Harry said, gently. "I even got Mum and Dad to send some."
Mara closed the locket as it shrunk back into its small form. With tears in her eyes, she leaped up from her spot and tackled her brother in a hug.
"Thank you, Harry," She sniffed quietly, her arms thrown around him.
Harry smiled softly, placing his arms around her back to return the embrace.
"Happy Christmas, Mara."
"Lily!" Mara cried out as she spotted her red-headed friend as they came down to the Great Hall for dinner.
"Mara," Lily smiled, waiting as Mara ran to catch up with her. "Would you like a muffin?"
Mara gave her a confused look as she caught up to the girl. "A muffin?" Sure enough, Lily had a basket of muffins around her arm.
"They're quite unruly today. I may have used too much sugar," Lily sighed as if it was a shame. "But they still taste good, I promise."
"Unruly?" Mara heard Ron mutter behind her as the three boys caught up to them. The three boys stared at Lily with odd looks on their faces. Harry just raised an eyebrow curiously.
Mara laughed nervously as she remembered they'd never been introduced to one another despite how much she complained to Lily about them.
"Uh, Harry, Ron, Neville, this is Lily," she gestured to the girl who waved happily, "Lily, this is Harry, Ron, and Neville." she introduced to Lily.
"I've heard so much about you from Mara," Lily beamed. "It's nice to finally meet you outside of the hospital wing."
"Oh, you're that girl from when Mara sprained her leg," Neville gasped as he remembered.
Lily nodded.
"It's kind of sad that you have to specify which time she was in the hospital wing," a voice said behind them.
Mara's face lit up in a grin as she spun to face her brown-haired roommate.
Peyton Bell raised an eyebrow as the group of five-faced her.
"Happy Christmas, Peyton," Mara said excitedly. In the face of the gorgeous girl, Mara suddenly felt a bit self-conscious. She hadn't brushed her hair this morning so it was everywhere (to be fair, it was always everywhere). Covertly, she ran her fingers through her hair, trying to see if it would stay flat. It wouldn't.
"Um," Mara said at the confused looks the others were giving her. "This is Peyton Bell. She saved me from the bludger."
"You saved her?" Harry's eyes narrowed on the Gryffindor girl. His face twisted into a grimace as he glared at her. Mara sent him a glare before beaming at the talented girl.
"She vanished the bludger right when it was about to hit me! It was so amazing," Mara said, holding her hands behind her back.
"Oh, well, thank you, Miss Bell," Neville stuttered slightly, a nervous look on his face.
Peyton shrugged. "I was there, the teachers weren't. It's no big deal."
"No!" Mara flushed as the others turned to her at her outburst. She smiled at Peyton softly.
"If you hadn't vanished the bludger, I would've been a pancake. I've seen what a bludger at full speed can do, it's not pretty. You saved me, Peyton," Mara said, smiling earnestly.
Peyton's eyes widened fractionally and her cheeks darkened.
"Isn't the vanishing spell a fifth-year spell?" Harry asked, his eyes narrowed between the two girls.
Peyton turned to the green-eyed boy with a shrug. "The shorter form is only a third-year level spell."
"Aren't you a first-year?" Harry asked, gritting his teeth. Mara looked at him concerned and dumbfounded. Neville and Ron shared a concerned look.
"Yes," Peyton said simply.
Mara sent a panicked look between the girl and Harry but it was Lily who came to the rescue.
"Do you want a muffin?" Lily asked, smiling. Peyton raised an eyebrow but outstretched her hand. Lily wasted no time taking a chocolate muffin out of her basket and placing it on the girl's hand.
"Thank you," Peyton nodded.
"Be careful, they're not on their best behavior today," Lily warned her.
Peyton didn't react in the slightest. She turned to Mara. "I wanted to inform you two that there's hot chocolate in the kitchen."
While the phrase sounded fairly innocent, Mara grinned mischievously at the taller girl as Lily giggled.
"We'll have some later," Mara told her.
Peyton smirked slightly before nodding and walking off towards the tables.
Out of the hundreds of students, only a small few stayed at Hogwarts over the holidays.
Mara turned to her redheaded friend with a grin.
"Here, I got you a present," she said, holding out the small box decked in red and green. Mara paused as she saw the shocked look on Lily's face.
Her eyes flickered between Mara and the box. Mara panicked slightly as she saw Lily's eyes fill with tears.
"You got me a present?" Lily's voice broke at the end, her watery eyes staring into Mara's imploringly.
"Of course," Mara gave her a nervous smile, "You're my friend, Lily. It's okay if you don't want it, I just thought I'd give it to you anyway. You can give it away or-"
Mara fell silent as Lily crushed Mara into a hug. From the curtain of Lily's hair obscuring her, she spotted the three boys exchanging unreadable looks.
Mara softened, wrapping her arms around the tinier girl.
"Thank you," Lily sniffed, pulling away with a huge smile.
"Here," Mara held out the present again and this time, Lily took with it carefully, shaking hands as if afraid it would disappear.
Lily opened the box carefully and slowly. The pendant necklace Mara had chosen laid inside,
Lily pulled the silver chain, holding the soft pink and white-colored pendant in her hands. Lily gave Mara a huge smile.
"It's a stargazer lily. Kinda cliche but I thought it fit you," Mara informed her with a smile.
Lily closed her hands around the charm, holding her hands to her chest as if holding something precious. She gave Mara a tearful smile.
"Thank you," Lily smiled. "I love it. Here."
Lily reached into her basket to pull out a muffin, this one blueberry and held it out to Mara.
Mara took with a grateful grin.
"I know, I know, they're unruly today," Mara gave her a grin as Lily opened her mouth to warn her. Lily giggled.
She turned to the three boys behind them, who were standing away awkwardly. She smiled happily as she handed each of them a muffin. Harry, Ron, and Neville shared bewildered looks as she smiled happily.
"It was nice to meet you! I hope we can become friends," Her eyes sparkled as she smiled to them.
Ron's ears turned pink. Harry looked away, avoiding eye contact awkwardly. Neville gave her a smile, nodding.
Mara giggled, delighted her friends were getting along.
Lily smiled, grabbing Mara for one more hug (She's getting a lot better, they're a lot less awkward now) before practically skipping down the hallway, waving over her shoulder.
Mara smiled. She turned to her friends with a delighted grin.
"Breakfast?"
Ron and Harry sent her a dirty look while Neville smiled sheepishly.
By dinnertime, Mara knew exactly what Lily had been talking about by her muffins being unruly. The moment Mara tried to take a bite of the muffin, it started singing. Full-on singing.
Ron's cupcake drove him crazy by singing the same Celestina Warbeck song over and over. He shut it up by eating it in one bite after three hours of this.
Mara enjoyed her muffin's rendition of a muggle Christmas song but after the somewhat sentient muffins (turns out lily had given out a lot to practically every student remaining) decided to throw overthrow the wizards by staging a revolution, Professor McGonagall confiscated them all.
Still, overall, it had been one of the most entertaining things she had seen when a dozen muffins tried to stab Snape with dozens of forks. The muffins hadn't stood a chance though.
"Mara, what are you doing?" Harry asked, exasperatedly.
Mara shushed him, as she closed her eyes over her plate, folding her hands into a prayer position. Her plate had been set up neatly over a pile of Christmas pudding.
"Is this about the muffins?" Neville asked, an amused smile on his face.
"Someone needs to grieve for them," Mara retorted, her eyes still shut tightly.
Harry scoffed.
"Ey're jux mufns," Ron said, his mouth full.
Mara opened her eyes sending him an irritated look.
He swallowed his food before repeating himself. "They're just muffins. Why are you so upset?"
"This is the same girl who cried over eating chocolate frogs because it was too inhumane," Harry retorted, rolling his eyes fondly.
Mara stuck her tongue out at him.
"Real mature, Mara," Harry grinned.
Mara ignored him, sending a look over to Fred and George who were slightly down the table. Fred caught her eye, sending her a subtle nod. George beside him sent her a slight grin.
"Mara," Harry said, suspiciously, "What are you planning with those two?"
"Nothing," She said, automatically. Mara looked down the table, trying to spot the only other Gryffindor girl of her year.
Despite the huge number of Hogwarts students, only a small fraction of those stayed over the holiday. Despite the hundred-plus Gryffindors, only around ten remained this year (two-fifths being just the Weasley kids). Due to the low numbers, they were all crammed on to one table for dinner.
Fred and George were slightly down the table while she, Harry, Ron, and Neville were down the table with the only few other first years remaining. Lily, a Hufflepuff boy named Oliver Rivers and a Ravenclaw boy named Anthony Goldstein were the only other first years to stay beside her group and Peyton.
Mara leaned forward to look down the table for the brown-haired girl but it wasn't unusual for the girl to disappear around mealtimes.
Mara jumped when someone slid onto the bench next to her. Peyton paid no attention to anyone else at the table, simply slid in as if it was natural and an everyday thing.
She cut a slice off the nearest cake before placing it on her plate. Mara could only gape at the girl, still stunned by her appearance.
"Uh...Peyton, right?" Neville sent the girl a nervous smile.
"Yes," Peyton acknowledge, nodding in his direction.
"Uh, whatcha doing here?" Neville asked, his eyes showing his slight panic. Mara winced as his eyes widened. "Not that I don't want you here or anything, It's just very unusual and I'm just surprised because you normally avoid everyone like the plague so-"
Neville cut himself off, his cheeks glowing red. He stared down at the table, rubbing his wrists raw.
"I heard the hot chocolate was ready," Peyton replied, simply. From the corner of her eye, she flashed Mara a knowing look.
"Oh!" Mara's eyes lit up. She gave the girl an easy smile. "I was hoping to try some."
She leaned over the table slightly, trying to catch the eye of Fred and George. Fred and George shared an identical grin as they caught Mara's eye. Mara grinned back.
"Mara.." Harry's eyes narrowed at her. Mara gave him an innocent smile.
His eyes narrowed even further. "Just because you've perfect Uncle Moony's innocent look doesn't mean you're not doing something."
"I'm not sure what you mean, Harry. It's Christmas, have some pudding," She smiled as she grabbed a lump of pudding with the serving spoon and lumped it onto Harry's plate.
Harry looked down at the mess of dessert on his plate.
"Thanks," He said dryly.
Mara didn't have time to respond before the doors to the great hall burst wide open with a loud bang.
The Professor's stood in their seats as students rumbled uneasily.
Mara hid her smile behind her hand.
A single armor suit stood in the area, it's armor clinking as it walked forward. It stood at attention before unwrapping a scroll.
It cleared its nonexistent throat which made Mara giggled softly into her hand. Harry sent her an exasperated look.
"You're attention please," The armored suit bellowed loud and clear. "Are there any students in need of refreshments?"
Despite exchanging some confused looks, a few students raised their hands including Mara and Peyton, who sent her a wink.
Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at the new development, sending a placating gesture to the other professors, who sat down with varying expressions of confusion and amusement.
"I thought so," The armor said. It clicked its hand and hundreds of suits of armor suddenly poured into the great hall.
Mara laughed out loud as the armored suits began tap dance with their clanking armor, each carrying a silver dome as a serving plate.
The remaining kids all laughed in delight as the armored suits. The suits lifted their plates, revealing dozens of cups of hot chocolate.
One suit began throwing the cups onto the table at an alarming rate while the other suits threw their cups into the air, the suit managing to catch them without spilling a drop.
Mara laughed, as she grabbed a cup of hot chocolate from the never-ending cups that were spinning on the table.
A few suits did backflips over the table causing the students to scream and cheer.
Mara took a sip of her piping hot drink, barely managing to keep from burning her tongue. Everyone had a cup of piping hot chocolate at this point.
Mara caught the eye of the headmaster, who sent her a smile, his eyes twinkling brightly. She grinned.
The suits danced around the long table as they passed out hot chocolate to all the students and teachers. Snape sneered at the suit that offered him a cup and the suit refused to take no for an answer.
The suit threw the cup into the air, the cup landing in a perfect balance on top of Snape's hair. Snape glared at the suit lividly but the suit kept grabbing cups, throwing them onto snape's head like a tower.
Mara burst into laughter at the scene as the cups titled over but the suit grabbed them and threw them over the heads of the other professors, landing in the hands of the suits across the table.
A few suits came over with teapots filled with hot chocolate and poured the teapots over the table but the hot chocolate only spread into three separate lines, filling the cups up perfectly.
Mara smiled as everyone's faces lit up. She looked over to share a smile with Peyton but the girl had vanished once again.
Softly, she shook her head.
She would never understand that girl.
Mara sipped onto the hot chocolate but placed it on the table once she finished her second cup.
The suits suddenly reversed in their actions, as the empty cups began to spin down the table and into the waiting hands of the armored suits. The suit at the end table began to throw the cups over everyone's hand like frisbees but the teacups landed perfectly onto the serving trays the armored suits held out.
Finally, the suits closed the lids and moved towards the door, their armors still clicking out in tap dance.
As one the suits all bowed.
"You have been served," The first suit said. Finally, the doors shut with a loud bang.
A few giggles rang out.
Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat, standing up.
"A wonderful display of magic," Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in her direction. Mara ducked her head, biting her lip to prevent from smiling.
"And now that we have drunk our hot chocolate," he chuckled at this, "I believe it is time for bed."
Mara's giggled, ignoring the looks Harry shot her.
Mara held onto the warm feeling bubbling in her chest as the Gryffindors were led back to the common room. A skip to her step and a smile on her face.
The small group of Gryffindors poured into the common room, the older students heading upstairs until only her group of friends and the Weasley brothers remained.
As soon as McGonagall was gone, Fred and George turned to one another with a grin. The two high fived.
"Great job, brother," Fred complimented with a Cheshire grin.
"Couldn't do it without you, brother," George retorted, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
"That was you two?" Ron asked dubiously.
"Of course. Who else is idiotic enough?" Percy scoffed, his arms crossed.
Mara choked on air, her cheeks flaming bright red.
Harry sent her a knowing look. "They'd have to be a real idiot that's for sure." He retorted dryly.
Mara sent him an indignant look, one that resembled her familiar more than her. "I thought it was brilliant. The magic had to have been very complicated."
Harry rolled his eyes.
"We had planned on exploding the Christmas pudding but that was way more entertaining," Fred grinned.
"We may have had a little help from three new potential mischief-makers," George winked over at her.
Percy rolled his eyes. "Just don't drag me into any of your childish japes."
"Aw, Percy can't admit he loves our childish japes," George turned to Fred, shaking his head sadly.
"His head must be stuck up his arse too far," Fred sighed.
Percy's face turned bright red as he sputtered indignantly. "You two are insufferable!" he screamed, storming up the boy's staircase.
Fred and George only snickered before heading up the staircase themselves.
"Don't stay up too late, kiddos!" George called from the stairs.
"Be careful of spiders!" Fred snickered.
Ron glowered at were his brothers disappeared.
"One day," Ron muttered darkly, "One day they will wake up with spiders in their bed."
"How are you going to put spiders in their bed if you're too afraid to even look at them?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
Mara exchanged a smile with Neville as Ron sputtered, resembling his older brother.
"Harry!" Ron whined.
Harry only laughed. He turned to Mara with a strange look in his eye.
Mara's warm feeling disappeared as he simply nodded his head, a flash of emotion shifting across his face before he too, left up to the staircase.
Mara stared after him, crestfallen.
Neville and Ron exchanged a guilty look.
"Night, Mara," Ron said awkwardly before rushing up the stairs.
Neville frowned at Mara, whose eyes had misted over. He didn't know how to help either of them without betraying Harry's trust. He sighed softly before remembering the package Harry had received this morning.
"Mara," Neville started, uncertainly.
Mara turned to him, her lips pouting and her eyes misty. Neville gulped, avoiding eye contact with her as his cheeks flamed.
"Harry got a package this morning from your dad. Something about a family heirloom," Neville said.
Mara's eyes lit up as she caught on to his hints.
"I think he may be planning to the library tomorrow night," Neville hinted.
Mara's lips tilted into a smile. Neville ducked his head, his cheeks bright red.
"Goodnight, Mara," Neville said. "Happy Christmas."
He rushed up the stairs before he could embarrass himself further.
"Neville, wait," Mara called out. Neville paused on the steps but didn't turn around to see her.
"Thank you."
Neville left the common room, leaving the redhead alone with her thoughts.
Mara heaved a sigh before going up the stairs to her common room. Even though she knew Peyton wouldn't be here, her eyes still drifted to the four-posted bed. Empty, blankets and pillows perfectly aligned as if no one lived there.
Mara sighed tiredly, rubbing the back of her neck. She pulled off her new sweater (knitted with love, Molly Weasley's letter had said), changing into her snowflake covered pajamas.
She brushed her hand across Breena's pelt, who laid splayed across the bed. She yawned, covering her mouth with her hand until she something lying on the trunk in front of her bed.
Mara picked up the folded piece of paper (not parchment), raising an eyebrow to her snoozing cat. Breena normally didn't let anyone near her bed or Breena's bed as she had claimed.
The thick and heavy paper looking more for heavy drawing. Mara unfolded the ends, unfolding it a second time.
A gasp unlodged from her throat as blue and silver sparkles burst from the paper. Soft sketched snowflakes lifted off the page as they floated around her head.
Mara beamed brilliantly at the magical snowflakes. She reached out to touch one softly and giggled as it brushed across her hand before exploding into a bunch of blue and silver lights, much like fireworks.
Mara could only watch in awe as each of the snowflakes burst, leaving only the dying blue and silver streams behind.
At the bottom of the page, scribbled in calligraphy was "Happy Christmas -Peyton".
As Mara settled into bed, she couldn't stop the smile on her face even if she wanted to.
She dreamed of snowflakes, fairy lights and fireplaces.