Snow flitted down from grey skies. Haley stood outside, enjoying the cold and remembering winter back in her village of Gharina. She smiled softly and sighed in content.

"Hey."

The crunch of snow and a familiar greeting made her turn and she smiled when Fred Weasley walked up to join her.

"Hey yourself."

Fred smiled. "What're you doing out here in this weather?"

Haley looked up at the sky and smiled. "It reminds me of home."

Fred looked up at the sky with her. "Oh? You never talk about your home. What's it like?"

Haley's smile grew. "Gharina? It's wonderful. The village is nestled in forested mountains far to the north. In the winter time, the mountain peaks have these beautiful snow caps and the forests and fields have amazing glistening blankets of snow, the lake has a pristine crystal surface, and-" She stopped and started to blush as she glanced over at Fred. "Sorry, I got a bit carried away."

Fred chuckled. "Don't be sorry. It's wonderful how excited you are about your home."

Haley smiled. "I love Gharina, but it's so much smaller than anything here." She said.

"Really?"

Haley nodded. "To be honest, it was rather overwhelming when I first got here."

Fred smiled. "It provides a grand challenge I think."

Haley giggled at that. "You and your brother definitely have been busy with pranks. I don't think Hogwarts will be the same again."

Fred beamed at her and gave her a goofy salute and bow. "And it never will." He stood straight and looked down at her as she went from giggling to laughing.

Haley looked up at him as her laughs subsided. "What?" She felt herself blush when he smiled. "What are you smiling at, Weasley?"

"You have a nice laugh." Fred said, a soft smile of his own.

Haley's blush deepened and she smiled. "Well, you seem to know how to make me laugh."

Fred grinned and reached up to tuck a strand of her silver hair behind her ear. "Happy to help."

A gentle chilly wind blew through the courtyard and Fred shivered a bit. Haley smiled and rubbed her hands together, producing a small flame between her palms. "Here, let me see your hands."

Fred moved his hands towards hers, amazed that she could produce a flame without her wand. "How'd you do that?"

Haley smiled. "One of the things that is unique only to Gharina is that we learn much of our magik from the creatures we live peacefully with. Each family has their preference in creatures."

"And your family?"

"Dragons."

Fred grinned. "That's incredible."

Haley looked up at him. "Trust me, Weasley, you've seen nothing yet." She let the flame dance from her hands and into his.

Fred stared down at his hands in wonder. "It's warm, but it doesn't burn."

"We call this 'Hatchling's Breath'. It's like the first breath of fire a baby dragon takes." Haley said, smiling.

Fred looked at her, seeing a new side of her as the flame reflected off the snow glistening on her porcelain skin. When she met his gaze his smiled, earning one back himself. "You're really something, Rosier."

Haley blushed a little. "So are you, Weasley."

Fred and Haley stood there for a moment or two, staring at each other, until someone called out to Fred. He looked over to see his brother waving him over. He glanced back at Haley and smiled. "I have to go."

Haley nodded. "It's ok." She took her hands and placed them over Fred's, closing his hands around the flame. She gave them a gentle squeeze and released them.

Fred opened his hands and saw the flame had vanished but he could still feel the warmth. "What'd you do?"

"That flame is yours now. If you ever need it, just think of the flame and it'll appear." She said, smiling. "I'll see you around, Weasley."

Fred watched her head for the castle, disappearing inside. He smiled to himself and went to join his brother.

"What's got you in good spirits?" George asked.

Fred just looked down at his hands and smiled.

Christmas time was rolling around and Haley sat in the library, writing a letter home. Her people didn't celebrate holidays like everyone else at Hogwarts did, so she was planning on staying.

"Rosier, got a minute?"

Haley looked up and smiled when she saw Fred standing there. "Sure, what's up?"

"I heard you were staying here over break."

Haley nodded. "In Gharina, we don't celebrate the same holidays as you. And travel back home this time of year would be nearly impossible."

Fred rubbed his neck and looked down at her. "Would you want to come spend Christmas with us?"

Haley looked at him. "With you and your family?"

Fred nodded. "When I heard you wouldn't be going home for Christmas, I asked my mum and dad if I could bring you home so you wouldn't be alone. They'd love to meet you."

Haley looked down at her letter, then back up at Fred. "Are you sure? I couldn't impose like that on you."

Fred smiled. "You wouldn't be imposing, Rosier."

Haley smiled. "Alright, Weasley."

"So you'll come?"

Haley nodded. "Sure, I'd like to."

Fred beamed at her. "I'll let them know you're coming." He waved and hurried off to send a letter of his own.

Haley smiled and looked down at her letter.

"Mum and Dad, things are going well here at school.

My studies are wonderful, my grades are on mark, and I made a new friend here.

His name is Fred Weasley and he's a Gryffindor,

but he's been so kind to me and I feel comfortable around him, like I can be myself.

It's been nice getting to know him and I'm starting to feel like I belong here.

Fred invited me to join his family for the holidays and I'm accepting his offer.

Much love to you both and my brothers, hope all is well."

Satisfied with her letter, she folded it up and slid it into an envelope. Hurrying to the Owlery, she was greeted by her Eurasian Eagle Owl named Jaxie.

"Get this to Mum and Dad safe and sound?"

Jaxie cooed and took the letter, then hopped onto Haley's arm.

"Safe travels, Jaxie." She opened the window for her owl and smiled when she watched the elegant bird take flight.