CHRISTMAS AT HOGWARTS
Without noticing, Christmas arrived at Hogwarts. Draco had his luggage ready to go back home for the festivities. Alex, on the other hand, was staying at Hogwarts. The Malfoys couldn't care less, so they let her be.
- Are you sure you don't want to come home for Christmas? - Draco had been the best of friends for Alex since she learned the truth about her parents. He had taken care of her day and night, making sure she was as good as possible.
- Yeah, I prefer to stay here. Think about everything and just try to move on, you know? Besides, it's not like Christmas at home is a blast.
- It's better when you're around…I'll miss you - Draco looked down. He didn't like to share his feelings.
- I'll miss you too, Draco - she smiled at him.
She helped him get his luggage to the main gate. There, they said their goodbyes, with a great hug. On her way to the great hall, she met with Hermione.
- Ready to go home?
- Yes, I'm heading out now. You're staying?
- Draco is going home but I'd rather stay here.
- And Draco's parents allowed you?
- They don't really care…- Hermione looked at Alex with sadness - It's fine, trust me.
- Well, since you're staying, you can help Harry and Ron with our investigation about Nicholas Flamel.
- I've been thinking about it…maybe we could find a way to look at the restricted section…
- That's exactly what I thought! Try and see what you can find, but don't get in much trouble.
- We'll try not to! - both girls hugged each other goodbyes. - Happy Christmas, Hermione!
- Happy Christmas, Alex!
Alex entered the great hall. There was snow falling. It was beautiful. She saw Harry and Ron sitting at the Gryffindor table. They were playing wizards chess. She came closer to them, and sat next to Ron, who had just destroyed Harry's king.
- Wizards' chess! I used to play a lot with my uncle! It's really funny.
- I know, right? - Ron looked at her smiling - Hermione said it was barbaric.
- Well, she's not wrong, but that's what makes it so entertaining.
- Did you talk with her on your way here? - Harry asked.
- Yeah, she gave us a dangerous task.
- Walking into the restricted section…we've had a bad influence on her. - Ron laughed, and so did the other two kids.
The three of them agreed to think of a plan to sneak into the restricted section of the library. In the meantime, Alex wanted to walk around Hogwarts, think about everything. She had a lot of things on her head, and she needed to let go. She was wearing her winter outfit. Some black trousers, comfy and warm, brown boots for the snow, a Slytherin sweater and scarf, a black coat and a blue beanie. Alex walked around the castle. There was Christmas decoration all around. Hagrid brought inside the castle a big tree which was being decorated by some teachers. Alex went outside, and sat on a bench. Snow was lightly falling. She thought it was a great place to think and relax. It had been a couple weeks since Remus wrote her that letter telling her the truth about her parents. She had thought a lot about it. She was still sad, and a little bit mad, but she was starting to cope with it. Lucky for her, she was a baby when everything happened, so she didn't remember anything. "Lucky?". She wasn't sure she was lucky…She grew up without that trauma, but now she had to absorb it in a matter of days? It was a difficult situation. She had been thinking about writing back to Remus. But she was still mad at him. And what would she tell him anyway? "Thank you for keeping that a secret? I've been crying day and night for weeks?". Yeah, it was difficult, indeed.
She was lost in her thoughts when she heard something was hit and a couple voices in the distance. She got up from the bench and walked towards the sounds. It was in one of the courtyards. Two redheaded boys were hitting a ball with some bats. "The Weasley twins". She walked towards them.
- Hi, Fred. Hi, George. - both twins looked at her and smiled.
- Oh, hey, Alex! - Fred let the ball fall to the ground as he greeted Alex.
- Hi, Alex. What are you doing here? No Christmas at home for you? - George wondered.
- Nope…I thought it was a good moment to see another kind of Christmas. And since the Malfoys don't care…
- Right, you live with the Malfoys. I've heard about it. Must be a blast having met that blond kid. – Fred laughed. He was talking about Draco, that was clear. She wasn't sure they had talked to each other, but considering Draco's attitude around the castle, it was normal that the twins didn't like him.
- Draco is the least of my problems at Christmas…His dad, on this other hand…That's a real blast. - she said laughing.
- We've heard our dad talk about him sometimes. They both work at the ministry. He is not the nicest person, is he? - George seemed like a nice guy. Alex hadn't talked to him as much as with Fred, but they both were good with her.
- Yeah, he's not. Anyways, what about you? I saw Ron earlier, but I didn't ask him.
- Our parents decided to go to Romania to visit our brother Charlie. He's studying dragons there. - Fred said.
- Dragons? That's cool! Must be pretty interesting.
- That's what he says. Anyways, since you're here, want to join us? - Fred had a grin on his face.
- Join you? What are you up to?
- We're "practising" for our next Quidditch game. We're beaters.
- Oh, that explains the bats. - Alex came closer to them. - Sure, I'll join, why not? Maybe next year I'll try out for the Slytherin team and I'll be able to kick your asses. - She laughed, and so did the twins.
The three of them spent most of the afternoon playing. Fred and George taught Alex the basics of Quidditch and how to hit the ball right. They had a blast. She learned a lot of things, and she actually liked it. She was joking at first when she said that next year she'll try out for the team, but after playing with Fred and George, she was considering. Besides, thanks to it, she was able to free her mind for a while. And hitting a ball was pleasant. She had channelled all of her anger by hitting the ball. When it started getting late and snowing harder, they stopped playing. George picked the bats and the ball and headed towards the store where all those things were kept. In the meantime, Alex and Fred walked towards the great hall, since it was almost time for dinner.
- Hey, little braids - Fred called her, addressing her braids. - Since most of the school has gone to spend Christmas with their families, why don't you sit with us for dinner?
- Little braids? - she looked at Fred with narrow eyes and a little smile. He smiled back at her. - Sure, I'll like that!
The night passed on by. Alex had dinner at the Gryffindor table, with the Weasleys and Harry. She had a great time. She went back to the Slytherin common room, and fell asleep. Next morning was Christmas. She walked down from the bedroom and found a couple presents. One of them was little, the other one was a little bit bigger. She grabbed the little one first, and opened it. It was a box with a necklace. It had a black heart-shaped gem. There was also a note.
"No matter what any of your parents did in the past. That doesn't define you. It's what you do that defines you. And you are a great person, and my best friend. Merry Christmas, Alex. D.".
Draco. He had nailed his present. She wondered where he had gotten the necklace. Probably Narcissa helped him. She didn't think of Alex as a daughter, but she appreciated her for being a good friend for her son. She placed the necklace around her neck. It was beautiful. She'd give Draco a present when he came back from the holidays. She grabbed the next present with a smile on her face. It was bigger and heavier. When she opened it, she saw some kind of book. It was an old photo album. There was a note on the cover.
"I know it's probably too late for this, but the last thing I want is for you to remember your parents in a wrong way after the letter I sent you. So here are my memories with them when we were back at Hogwarts. I hope one day you can forgive me. Merry Christmas, Alexa. Your Uncle Remus.".
"Uncle Remus…". She wasn't sure how to feel about him at that moment. She loved him, of course, but she was still pissed at him. But he had sent her a present. And for the looks of it, it was something he had never shared with her, but now he was willing to. And that made her smile. She opened the photo album. There were a lot of pictures. Students from Hogwarts moving, smiling, talking…They all seemed to have a great time. She was able to recognise Remus in most of the pictures. He looked so shy. And happy. Lucky her, most of the pictures had a footer, so she was able to read who was who in the pictures. She located her mother. She looked a lot like her. Green eyes, brown hair, braids…She was always smiling. She also saw her dad, Sirius. He looked like a rebel. It was obvious that he got in a lot of trouble. "He doesn't look like a killer". Alex looked at the photo album for a long time, until her tummy started making noises. She was hungry.
She dressed with some comfy clothes, and headed towards the great hall. Her Gryffindor friends were already there, so she headed towards them.
- Merry Christmas, everyone! - she hugged both twins from behind and sat between them.
- Merry Christmas, Alex! - all of her friends said at the same time.
- Cool sweaters you have there! - Alex noticed both the twins and Ron had similar sweaters, with different letters sewn.
- Our mum made them. - said Ron, but he didn't look very happy about it.
- She always does things like this. - said George.
- Maybe next year we could tell her to make you one, Alex. - said Fred smiling.
- Oh, I would love it! They look pretty warm.
- What did you get for Christmas, Alex? - wondered Harry.
- Well, Draco sent me this necklace, and my uncle sent me a photo album from when he was studying at Hogwarts with my parents. - when she mentioned her parents, the three Weasleys went silent. Harry noticed and asked.
- What's wrong?
- It's…because of my dad, Harry. - they all looked at her. - He did some bad things a long time ago…I was only a baby back then and I never met him. Actually, I just learned about what he did some weeks ago, so…
- He's quite famous in the wizard world…But, you are not to blame for whatever he did, you know? - Fred said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
- Yeah, Fred's right, Alex. You're cool. - George continued, and Ron smiled softly at her.
- I didn't even know about it, so, I don't think it's a problem - Harry smiled too. Alex was glad to have friends and that her parents' past, especially her father's, didn't matter anymore.
They were all eating breakfast when professor Dumbledore came closer to them.
- Good morning, everyone. And merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas, professor Dumbledore! - they all replied in unison.
- If you allow me, I would like to have a private talk with Miss Black. Is that okay? - Alex froze a little bit. Did she do something wrong? She didn't think so…
- Sure…I'll see you later, guys.
- Follow me, Miss Black.
She got up from the table and started following Professor Dumbledore.
- So, Miss Black, how is your first year at Hogwarts going?
- Oh, it's going well…Classes are pretty interesting and I really like it here.
- Good, good. I've heard professor McGonagall say you're one of the best students in her class. And that's not an easy task, may I say.
- Well, it's my favourite class, to be honest, sir. - they were walking towards his office. - Sir, did I do something bad?
- Of course not, Miss Black. You must have noticed we're heading towards my office. Fear not. You got a visitor, and he's waiting there.
- A visitor, sir?
- You'll see.
Once they arrived at his office, Professor Dumbledore stopped. He turned to look at her and told her to walk in. She did as he said, and he stayed outside. When she opened the office door, she couldn't believe her eyes. She fell silent.
- Alex…I…I wasn't sure…
Before the man in front of her could say anything else, she jumped into his arms. She didn't care about anything. She didn't care about her parents' past, or how he had lied to her. All she could think about was the last time she saw him. It had been almost two years since the Malfoys took her away from him. He was her family, somehow, he was her father. And it was all that mattered.
- Uncle Remus! - Alex was crying between his arms. She had missed him so much, it hurt like hell.
- I'm sorry, Alex…I'm truly sorry… - his voice was cracking. He was hurt too. He had raised her since she was a baby, he had done the best that he could, and then, they had taken her away from him, just like that. And the worst part? Not being able to see her or even talk to her through letters. It was like torture. Alex was her daughter, after everything…
- It's okay…I'm sorry, I should have written you back but…I…I didn't know what to say…
- No, no, it's my fault…I should have told you sooner…I just…I didn't know how to do it. - they stayed there, hugging each other and crying for a while. When they separated, Alex was able to look at him. He hadn't changed, not even a bit, since the last time they saw each other. She smiled. - What are you smiling for, young lady?
- You look exactly the same.
- Do I? A little bit old, I'll say. See? I've got some grey hairs! - he pointed at his hair with a sad look, which made her laugh.
- No, you don't! - they looked at each other smiling. Remus's smile fell. He was about to say something, but Alex talked first - How have you been, uncle Remus?
- Well…I'm not going to lie…I've been better, but…I'm not bad. - he caressed Alex's head. - I've missed you, of course. A lot!
- I missed you too…
- Listen, about your parents…
- I know, you're sorry…I've been mad…and sad. But I think I understand why you did it. Why did you keep it from me.
- I only wanted to protect you…No one should go through so much, especially not a little girl, Alex. But I should've told you sooner. I knew that one day you'd found out about it…one way or another. - both of them fell silent. They looked each other in the eyes. And they said more with that than with words.
They both stayed all day at Dumbledore's office, talking about everything they had missed since they were separated. They talked about the Malfoys, Draco, Hogwarts, her friends…Remus told her about her parents, when they were young, all the trouble they got into. Both of them were happy. They were family, and for Alex, seeing Remus was the best Christmas present. When Remus left, they hugged each other for a while.
- Take care of yourself, okay?
- I'm the grown up. I should be saying that.
- I know… – she laughed. - I love you, uncle Remus.
- I love you too, Alex.
When he left, Alex made sure to thank professor Dumbledore for that surprise. That night, Alex went to bed with the biggest smile on her face.