Cardcaptor Pandora
Episode XV
A Christmas to Remember


Pandora couldn't sleep nearly as long on Christmas morning as she had wanted to. Everyone in the entire castle was awake long before seven o'clock, for the news of the arrival of the presents had spread all over. The teachers seemed very baffled, but after testing a few presents figured that everything was alright. Pandora got ready and dressed in a red and white robe, then walked downstairs carrying her three gifts from her mother, as well as a gift she had for Harry and four small identical boxes for the other Cardcaptors.

She was quite happy to see Lauren in the Common Room. The young Second Year hardly seemed as if she only had three hours of sleep as she rushed towards Pandora, grabbed her hands, and said excitedly, Harry and Sydney and Holly are outside waiting for you!

That's good to hear! I have something for all of them. But, isn't Persephone around?

Not that I've noticed... but what does that matter? Lauren said with a shrug, then dragged her friend out of the Gryffindor Common Room and on out into the Great Hall where Harry, Sydney, and Holly were waiting in a corner. Harry was wearing a new knitted sweater, probably from Mrs. Weasley. She looked around the Great Hall for either Persephone or Dray, but neither could be found.

Merry Christmas, Panda! Harry said, coming up to her, giving her a tight hug and a peck on the cheek which made her turn a very cute shade of pink. This is for you, he said, and offered a small box to her wrapped in red and green.

Thank you, she said, surprised that he had managed to get her anything at all. This is for you.

Both Harry and Pandora tore into their presents. Harry broke through to his first, a small, glass ball about the size of a snitch that seemed to have a snow flurry inside of it. He grinned and popped it up in the air and caught it again. This is interesting... Erm... what exactly is it?

Pandora giggled as she continued delicately unwrapping her own gift, as if it would be a sin to rip any part of the packaging. It's called a Weathesphere. It always shows you what the weather is like outside, but if you ask it what the weather is like somewhere else specific, it can show you that too. It's a lot of fun to play with, and it's really very pretty, so I thought you might enjoy that.

Of course I will! he said, and gave Pandora another kiss on the cheek.

A few minutes later Pandora finally managed to open the box, and found a nice case of beautiful hair clips, pins, and combs with multicolored crystals on them. She picked up an exceptionally beautiful comb and let it catch the rays of light. They're gorgeous, Harry! Thank you so much!

You're welcome, but do you want to know the best part? They change color to match whatever you're wearing, or to go with whatever other jewelry you have on.

Her amber eyes lit up and she gave him a very big hug. That probably cost you a fortune! They're beautiful, but you really shouldn't have... She broke off and gave a short laugh, then pulled one of the clips out and pushed back a strand of silvery-blonde hair that kept falling over one eye. The crystal on the clip immediately turned red and green, changing colors back and forth depending on how the light hit it. Harry was glad they did what they were supposed to do. They were almost half the price of a Firebolt. ,

She gave him another hug, and this time a peck on the cheek along with it. Sydney sighed and said, You two are so cute.

Pandora turned and blinked, as if forgetting that everyone else was there. Oh yeah! I have something for all of you guys too!

Sydney blushed. How rude of me! I didn't get anything for anyone! I was just so busy during the past few days getting ready for... well... yeah. Lauren and Holly nodded in agreement.

Hey, I don't care! Pandora said, giving them a friendly grin. Your friendship is all I need. This is just a way for me to express how important you four are to me.

Lauren said, surprised. You're not including Persephone on this, are you?

Of course I am. She is a Carcaptor. Now I need to make sure I hand these out properly...

Each opened their present after they had received it. Inside were six bracelets and a choker. Three of the bracelets were the color which represented their House, and the other three the colors which represented the remaining three Houses. The chokers were all alike. They were made of all four colors wound within eachother.

Now if I could only find Persephone... Pandora said with a sigh.

Aren't you going to open your present from your mum? Harry asked. That one there certainly looks like it might be interesting, he said, indicating the oddly long one.

Pandora grinned and answered, Well, if you insist. First she opened the smallest box, which proved to be a piece of jewelry as she had expected. It was a beautiful little gold ring with pearls all around it. The medium-sized box also met her expectations. It was a new robe, a pale pink one with a baby-blue sash.

Finally she came to the strange present. It was the only one with an actual note attached. It said, Dear Pandora, I hope you enjoy this. Please don't hurt yourself. Love, Mum.

She blinked at the letter. Don't hurt myself? I don't get it... She curiously unwrapped the gift, as if something might jump out and bite her. When she got to the box itself, it didn't give any secrets. It was made of cardboard and didn't give the slightest hint of what it might contain, so she opened it very carefully as well (considering all of her troubles with boxes and all). Finally she got to the gold inside.

She had her very own Nimbus 2000.

Tied around the broomstick was another note which read, Dear Pandora, I know it's not a Firebolt, but you have to start somewhere. These are a bit easier to maneuver and also more predictable, especially since you've never been on a broomstick alone before. I trust that you will take care of yourself and seek proper training before you soar off and we never see you again. And, of course, good luck on making the Quidditch Team whenever you get around to it. Love, Mum.

Harry, can we go out right now and fly it? Please please please please please please please?

He rolled his eyes. It's freezing outside, Pandora. Maybe later. We haven't even eaten breakfast yet. Come on.

She met Harry and everyone else in the Great Hall after she had put all of her presents back in her room. Now all she carried was the gift for Persephone.

They had lost Holly somewhere along the way, then Sydney ran off with Crabbe. Lauren sighed and said, I don't want to hand around you two by myself, you'll be mushy and that's not any fun, so she went off to find her brother and make him give her a present or live with eternal guilt.

Pandora stared after, watching her unruly black hair fly aimlessly about as she ran off. Then she looked at Harry and said, I never really noticed how similar you and Lauren looked until her braid was cut.

Harry smiled nervously and answered, Yeah, that's a coincidence, huh? I mean, I'm no Heir of Gryffindor...

Pandora watched him silently for a moment, then smiled and looked another direction. I have to admit I'm rather glad I could spend Christmas with you, even if I couldn't see my mother. You make everything better.

He blushed and turned her to him, placing a finger under her chin to lift her face. No, I'm lucky to be able to spend this with you. There could never be anything better than spending any amount of time with you.

She felt her face grow hot as their eyes seemed to lock. She leaned forward as he did, their lips begging for a kiss...

Well, well... Merry Christmas is it, Pandora?

She whirled around to face a very smug expression on her brother's face. Oh! Dray! Uh... hi! How are you? she asked, trying to pretend like nothing happened. Right.

He crossed his arms and glared at Harry. I don't suppose your stupid boyfriend managed to get you anything, did he?

Well... yes... she said, and showed him the clip in her hair and explained them to him.

Ah, well, I suppose that was a bit clever of him. But it will never outdo what I got for you... He pulled out a large package from somewhere, wrapped around something that didn't seem to have much of a distinct shape.

She took it and blinked at it. Um... okay... She opened it slowly. It felt very soft and fluffy. As more and more was revealed to her, she saw that it had black and white marking...

Oh, Dray! A cute little plushy panda pillow, HOW CUUUUTE! You're the bestest brother in the whole world, you're so sweet and thoughtful, and I LOVE YOU! Cutie pandaaaaaaaa! ^_^

Draco stared at her like she'd lost a screw. O.o;; You're welcome, he grumbled. -_-

Harry looked like it was quite an effort not to burst out laughing.

You haven't seen Persephone anywhere, have you? he asked suddenly, looking a little worried.

No... I'm looking for her myself.

He sighed and shook her head. I wish she wouldn't just decide not to show up like she does all the time!

Pandora smirked. You almost sound like you really care.

I do! he snapped, then immediately looked guilty for reacting that way to one of his sister's playful remarks. I... I just... Oh, never mind. This is hopeless. I'll talk to you later.

She watched him go without saying anything else, just held the pillow closer. I didn't mean to upset him... she whispered.

Who knows. Persephone's kind of strange, maybe just strange enough to make your brother have actual feelings for her.

Oh, Harry. Be nice. He's not that bad... all the time...

He has no regard for other people except for you and a few select others. He didn't even care how much he hurt Pansy Parkinson when he broke up with her so quickly after Persephone came! Look at her!

He was right. Pansy, in the past having been constantly surrounded by her gang of girls and the boys wanting her attentions and affections, now sat alone at the last seat of the Slytherin table, her back to everyone, staring at the ground and placing one hand over her left forearm, her brow knitted as if in deep thought and perhaps a bit of pain. She's not taking it very well, is she? Pandora admitted, feeling sorry for her. Do you think I should go talk to her?

I don't know what it would accomplish, but then again, that's just the nice kind of person you are, isn't it? Harry said with a smile.

She blushed and nodded. I'll be right back.

Pandora walked over to Pansy, wringing her hands nervously. Um, hi Pansy! she greeted.

Pansy's dark eyes flashed up at her, filled immediately with surprise and disdain. What do you want, Malfoy? she asked sharply.

Pandora couldn't help but wonder why all of Draco's past and present girlfriends referred to her as She sat down next to Pansy and said, I'm just worried about you. I heard that you and Dray had quite a falling-out...

If you want to put it lightly. He was cheating on me and then completely ditched me for that... that... She turned her face away, her shoulders trembling. He promised me... He promised...

Pandora touched her hand lightly.

Pansy jerked her hand away and stood up. Come with me, Malfoy. I'll show you what comes of breaking promises.

Pandora followed her into an emptier area of Hogwarts. At that moment, practically everyone was in the Great Hall. Pansy, still with her back to Pandora, yanked the left sleeve of her robe up above the elbow then turned around, holding that forearm out. This is what came of your brother's broken promises...

Pandora found herself face to face with a Dark Mark.

Pansy... how... why...?

She let the sleeve fall again. He may have broken his promise to me, but I will not do the same in return. I cannot tell you, because that would be breaking the promise, she said, walking slowly past Pandora, adding as she passed without looking back, I love him too much to do that.

When she made it back to the Great Hall, Harry was quick to find her. McGonagall just made a speech about the presents, Harry said with a wink. She sounded completely baffled to say the least, but she also said that there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with them. Just if anyone found something that seemed suspicious to report it.

She smiled weakly. That's nice.

Hey, what's wrong?

It's nothing... she said, her voice trailing as she saw someone she had been looking for for quite a while. I'll be right back.

Persephone seemed intent upon avoiding all people, most especially Pandora Malfoy. Pandora would likely have never caught up with her if there hadn't been someone else she was less anxious to talk to: Draco Malfoy. When he was one direction and Pandora was in the other, she took the lesser of two evils. What do you want, Pandora?

I just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas! she answered with a smile. Persephone rolled her eyes, but Pandora continued, saying, I brought you a present, and handed her the gift.

Persephone took it, then stared at it as if it was some scientific oddity. What...? Why...? She stopped and shook her head. You are very strange, Little Malfoy.

Yeah, well, aren't you going to open it?

Maybe later, she answered, then walked away casually, never looking back. She didn't even thank Pandora for her only present that year.

I guess you got it to her? Harry asked when she came back to him.

she said with a sigh. I don't know what's up with her. She's been through some hard times to say the least.

He nodded, reaching out and taking her hand. You're so caring, Pandora. There's not another girl in the world that's as perfect as you are.

She blushed and laughed nervously. You've been drinking too much eggnog, Love. You need some fresh air. Let's go play in the snow, and I want to fly, dang it!

So she let another day slip by without a real kiss from Harry. She'd get it eventually, she knew. Until then, his presence was plenty enough to make her happy.

((Yes, I know there haven't been a lot of cards lately. I promise next time! And I apologize for being really slow to post these lately. I've been preparing for my college auditions, so I haven't had a whole lot of time to write. I'll try to get another one out soon!

For a picture of the girls dressed up like Santa and the elves, go to:
http://sailorxenex.diaryland.com/images/ccpxmas.jpg ))