Chapter 4: Christmas Hols and Quidditch
Hello again! Well, chapter four is up. Don't even ask me about the title. I know it's about as uncreative as it can get but hey it's 2 am and I'm tired! *sigh* But I had to get this posted some time and so why not now? Anyway, this one will fill in yet another detail from Summer Break and I hope that this one turned out okay. Please read and review and like usual the same warnings apply for this chapter as all the other ones. Hmm. . .and I realize I may have misplaced Quidditch season but bear with me people. This is the only way to make sure that this story works out smoothly. Thanks! ^_^ Now on with the show. . .
Chapter 4: Christmas Hols and Quidditch
"Finally! Hols start tomorrow. No more Snape for two whole weeks!" Ron exclaimed as he collapsed into the chair beside Rai, Harry, and Hermione.
"Hols?" Questioned the elf, confusingly.
Hermione looked up from her book and smiled patiently. "Christmas break. As Ron said, we have two weeks without school. A lot of people return home at this time of the year but students are still welcome to stay at Hogwarts if they want."
Wintry eyes still shone with puzzlement however and Rai tilted his head slightly. "What is Christmas?"
"A human holiday. It's a day where we give and receive gifts. There's a history behind Christmas but it would take a while for me to explain." Harry offered and Rai nodded in understanding.
"If we are to get gifts I should also like to give all of you some but alas I have no wizard's money." Rai sighed and slumped in his chair.
The three Gryffindors smiled warmly at their elven friend and tried to reassure him that gifts were not necessary. Reluctantly, Rai had relented to their insistence but the idea still plagued his mind. /I do wish that I were able to give presents. They have been very hospitable to me after all./ Suddenly a thought entered Rai's mind and slowly a grin spread over his lips. Excusing himself from his three companions, the elf made sure to grab his cloak before vanishing from the common room.
* * * * *
A soft whinny caught Rai's sharp ears as he set down his work and glanced over the edge of his talon. "Aseale? What are you doing here?"
"Searching for you. We were to meet half an hour ago." The Unicorn replied, watching Rai as the brunette gracefully climbed down from the tree.
"Please accept my deepest apology but I have been busy all day with preparing gifts." Bowing in request for forgiveness, the wintry-eyed archer gave a beatific smile. "It really is an interesting concept these humans have. They choose one day every year to just give gifts to others that they care for."
Aseale shook her mane and sat down in front of Rai. "And so you have also chosen to indulge in this tradition?"
Rai nodded. "I had wanted to buy their presents but I fear that I have no money so I have resorted to creating them. So far I have finished Harry's, Ron's, Hermione's, Draco's, and Lord Dumbledore's. I only have one more left to make."
The Unicorn appeared to chuckle lightly, her pale silvery eyes dancing in the moonlight. "I presume the last is for the human that you adore so and I highly doubt that I shall discover what the gift is but I should ask what you have made the others."
"Hmm. . ." Rai fought the blush that threatened to stain his face as he answered. "For Harry I made an emerald charm and a chain. It contains a protection spell and I thought that this could protect him from Voldemort. I baked some lembas for Ron since he seems to enjoy sweets and of course for Hermione I gathered together a few of my old elven texts that I had in the common tongue.[1] Let's see, Draco will receive a quiver of arrows and a bow. He had expressed some interest in archery and I had promised to instruct him but he had not the equipment for it. Lastly, for Lord Dumbledore, I have this ring. Tis a brother to my own and will allow him to summon me if my assistance is ever needed. I owe at least that much to him for saving my life."
Studying Rai for a second, Aseale gave a satisfied snort and nudged the elf's hand.
"What is it?" Rai asked, petting her mane gently.
The snowy creature laid her head in Rai's lap before speaking. "Tis just that I have never seen you so happy before. These humans must be wonderful friends and if I am observing this correctly I do believe that you may have just been offered a second chance to have a childhood. You were young even in the eyes of men when your people had given you your duties."
Rai sighed. "I am an elven mage Aseale. I had no choice. It was my responsibility to train so that I could protect my kindred when the time came and as you can see the need for my powers did befall us."
"Perhaps." Aseale stood and her eyes smiled down gently at the brunette. "But do try to enjoy yourself while you have the chance. Now I do believe that I should be going."
"I shall see you again tomorrow then. And," Wintry eyes sparkled slightly. "I promise I shall try to take advantage of my predicament. Thank you."
Without answer, Aseale trotted off into the foliage leaving Rai to gaze after her for a moment before returning to his talon to prepare his last present.
* * * * *
Derek sighed wistfully as he found himself strolling the grounds again in the middle of the night. Last year he would have found himself brooding in bed but ever since he had been promoted to a Prefect, the Slytherin took to the outdoors. /Why is it that I only act as I do around Rai? Around everyone else I can behave nicely but no matter what I just can't get one compliment out of my mouth to him. It just figures that he would be the one that I want to like me./ Scowling to himself, Derek barely noticed when he accidentally entered the Forbidden Forest. Although when a low growl sounded to his right, the ebony-haired wizard finally took note of his surroundings and he quickly pulled out his wand. /Bloody wonderful. Now how do I get out of here?/
Next thing, Derek knew there was a loud shuffling in the bushes and if it weren't for the arrows that penetrated the monster's skull and heart, it would have killed the wizard. Cobalt eyes, swept the area for his savior and Derek was slightly shocked to find Rai leaping down from one of the trees.
"You should be more careful when you are within the shelter these trees Derek." Rai warned, a tint of concern in his words.
The wizard was still in shock as he numbly nodded and watched as the brunette once again clambered up the nearest tree, jumping expertly from one branch to another until he vanished behind a platform. A few seconds later when Rai noticed that Derek was not about to follow him, peeked his head back over. "Are you coming? Tis not safe for you to remain by yourself on the forest floor."
Derek raised an eyebrow and eyed the tree. "Just how do you expect me to climb this thing? I'm not an elf in case you don't remember."
Rai sighed and made his way down to the ground once again. "I do not favor going up and down over and over again young one." Offering his hand to the cobalt-eyed boy the light elf gently hauled him into the tree. "Come on. I shall help you."
Together they climbed through the branches, going at a much slower pace than Rai had gone by himself. When they reached the talon at last, the elf turned away from Derek to gather his supplies and prepare some food for them to eat.
"Why are you here anyway?" Rai questioned as he handed a cup to the black- haired wizard and set down a plate of lembas. Taking the seat beside Derek, Rai cocked his head to the side adorably.
"I had a lot on my mind. I wanted to go for a walk, I just wasn't aware that I had entered the forest. Why are *you* here?" Retorted Derek as he took a sip of his drink.
"*I* am here because this is my home." Silver-blue eyes glared over the rim of the cup. "If I find that you share this information with anyone I shall make sure that you will regret it."
Derek held up one hand in surrender. "You have my word I won't."
Gazing into the cobalt gems, Rai at last offered a small smile and a silence wrapped around them. Only the sounds of the night life in the forest drifted about the two and even though neither would admit it, they enjoyed the other's presence.
Finally, after a long while, even though it only felt like short moments to the two, Derek spoke. "It's late. We should probably return to our dorms before anyone comes looking for us. Or at least for me. Even my advantages as a Perfect doesn't allow me to wander into the Forbidden Forest at night."
"I suppose." Rai sighed as he gathered the dishes. "I shall return with you for I am finished with my business here for the night." He paused then, his wintry eyes clouding over in confusion. "May I ask a question?"
Derek shrugged nonchalantly. "Why not? What is it?"
"Wh—when is Christmas?" Rai asked quietly, slightly embarrassed at his naivety on the subject.
Smiling, the Slytherin answered. "Let's see. Today is the 19th so Christmas should be in seven days."
"Oh," Rai gently retrieved a few random items, carefully placing them into a small pack. "that's good. Thank you."
"Why did you want to know? You're an elf. Why should you care about one of our holidays?" Derek asked as he climbed down cautiously behind Rai.
Rai glanced behind him and raised an eyebrow. "I have my reasons and tis also an advantage to know about those that you are fated to be with for a long period of time."
"Sure. Whatever you say." They had come to the edge of the trees and moonlight now bathed them instead of the darkness that dominated under the leaves and branches. Strolling through the dew dampened grass the two finally reached the entrance hall where they departed from the other without any further words. It just wasn't necessary as both knew that the tentative truce that they had reached tonight would be dissolved in the morning in front of the many watching and judging eyes. Any utterance from either the elf or the man would upset the fragile balance that allowed them to walk away from the other and so they remained silent, each disappearing into the shadows of the corridors.
* * * * *
"Heads up!" Rai shot through the air and knock away the quaffle just before it entered one of the goal hoops. He grinned as Draco caught the ball and flew over to him. "That was great. I think you really are a natural keeper. Too bad you're a Gryffindor not a Slytherin or I would have you on the team already."
Rai smiled brightly. "I owe it all to you Draco. You are the one that taught me to fly after all."
Draco snorted but he immediately smiled. "You're a natural Rai. You can't deny that. Talk to Potter. He is the team captain and I heard that the Gryffindor team needs a new keeper anyway since Wood left."
"I do not. . ."
"Just try it." The blonde Slytherin coasted to the ground and gracefully landed, shouting back up at Rai who was still in the air. "Tell me how it goes tomorrow."
The elf raised a surprised eyebrow and watched silently as his friend trailed back to the school. Sighing to himself, Rai landed as well and followed the path that Draco had taken. /I guess it wouldn't hurt to give it a try./
* * * * *
Later that night, Draco found himself calmly reading a book in the confines of his bed and the empty dorm room. The hush soothed him and heightened his senses, so when there came the almost silent shift of footsteps in the room, his blonde head shot up and silver eyes narrowed. Drawing his wand, Draco cautiously reached for the drapes before pushing them aside abruptly.
Rai nearly jumped as the curtains to one of the beds flew open but his control allowed him to remain calm and he shook his head as he recognized Draco. "Umm. . .sorry about the intrusion but I have some news for you."
"Sheesh Rai. Don't do that! How did you get in here anyway?" Draco motioned for Rai to take a seat beside him and placed his text on the nightstand.
"Sorry about frightening you and as for how I got in here, that is my secret." The brunette smiled, his wintry eyes sparkling.
Draco leaned back against the headboard and tilted his head slightly in question. "So what was so urgent that you had to sneak into the Slytherin dorms?"
"Well," Rai began. "remember how you told me to ask Harry about the keeper position? I took your advice and he's agreed to allowing me to try out tomorrow afternoon. I was wondering if you wanted to come watch."
"As much as I would love to Rai, you know I can't. Harry will be there and. . ." Rai cut him off.
"Please." Pleaded the elf. "It would mean so much to me."
The blonde flinched as the imploring eyes locked onto his and with a sigh Draco nodded. "Fine but you will owe me big for this. I just don't see how I'm supposed to get in there without someone kicking me out."
Rai grinned. "Leave that up to me. Besides, I've heard that you like to watch Harry fly. This'll give you the perfect chance."
Before Draco could reply though, the elf had disappeared into thin air. Falling back into his bed, the Slytherin knew his cheeks were burning as he remembered Rai's last comment. /You just wait Rai Maxwell. I know exactly who to set you up with./
T.B.C.
1. The common tongue is the normal English language. This is used so that the different races in Middle Earth can communicate to one another without having to learn the others' form of speech.
Well, how's that for the fourth chapter? I know it didn't really go anywhere but I promise it will soon. (i.e.-Quidditch tryouts. *ahem*) Anyway. . .please read and review and now I've gotta start working on some of my other stories and try to finish the next chapter to this one soon. So I guess until next time everyone and feedback is much appreciated.
Hello again! Well, chapter four is up. Don't even ask me about the title. I know it's about as uncreative as it can get but hey it's 2 am and I'm tired! *sigh* But I had to get this posted some time and so why not now? Anyway, this one will fill in yet another detail from Summer Break and I hope that this one turned out okay. Please read and review and like usual the same warnings apply for this chapter as all the other ones. Hmm. . .and I realize I may have misplaced Quidditch season but bear with me people. This is the only way to make sure that this story works out smoothly. Thanks! ^_^ Now on with the show. . .
Chapter 4: Christmas Hols and Quidditch
"Finally! Hols start tomorrow. No more Snape for two whole weeks!" Ron exclaimed as he collapsed into the chair beside Rai, Harry, and Hermione.
"Hols?" Questioned the elf, confusingly.
Hermione looked up from her book and smiled patiently. "Christmas break. As Ron said, we have two weeks without school. A lot of people return home at this time of the year but students are still welcome to stay at Hogwarts if they want."
Wintry eyes still shone with puzzlement however and Rai tilted his head slightly. "What is Christmas?"
"A human holiday. It's a day where we give and receive gifts. There's a history behind Christmas but it would take a while for me to explain." Harry offered and Rai nodded in understanding.
"If we are to get gifts I should also like to give all of you some but alas I have no wizard's money." Rai sighed and slumped in his chair.
The three Gryffindors smiled warmly at their elven friend and tried to reassure him that gifts were not necessary. Reluctantly, Rai had relented to their insistence but the idea still plagued his mind. /I do wish that I were able to give presents. They have been very hospitable to me after all./ Suddenly a thought entered Rai's mind and slowly a grin spread over his lips. Excusing himself from his three companions, the elf made sure to grab his cloak before vanishing from the common room.
* * * * *
A soft whinny caught Rai's sharp ears as he set down his work and glanced over the edge of his talon. "Aseale? What are you doing here?"
"Searching for you. We were to meet half an hour ago." The Unicorn replied, watching Rai as the brunette gracefully climbed down from the tree.
"Please accept my deepest apology but I have been busy all day with preparing gifts." Bowing in request for forgiveness, the wintry-eyed archer gave a beatific smile. "It really is an interesting concept these humans have. They choose one day every year to just give gifts to others that they care for."
Aseale shook her mane and sat down in front of Rai. "And so you have also chosen to indulge in this tradition?"
Rai nodded. "I had wanted to buy their presents but I fear that I have no money so I have resorted to creating them. So far I have finished Harry's, Ron's, Hermione's, Draco's, and Lord Dumbledore's. I only have one more left to make."
The Unicorn appeared to chuckle lightly, her pale silvery eyes dancing in the moonlight. "I presume the last is for the human that you adore so and I highly doubt that I shall discover what the gift is but I should ask what you have made the others."
"Hmm. . ." Rai fought the blush that threatened to stain his face as he answered. "For Harry I made an emerald charm and a chain. It contains a protection spell and I thought that this could protect him from Voldemort. I baked some lembas for Ron since he seems to enjoy sweets and of course for Hermione I gathered together a few of my old elven texts that I had in the common tongue.[1] Let's see, Draco will receive a quiver of arrows and a bow. He had expressed some interest in archery and I had promised to instruct him but he had not the equipment for it. Lastly, for Lord Dumbledore, I have this ring. Tis a brother to my own and will allow him to summon me if my assistance is ever needed. I owe at least that much to him for saving my life."
Studying Rai for a second, Aseale gave a satisfied snort and nudged the elf's hand.
"What is it?" Rai asked, petting her mane gently.
The snowy creature laid her head in Rai's lap before speaking. "Tis just that I have never seen you so happy before. These humans must be wonderful friends and if I am observing this correctly I do believe that you may have just been offered a second chance to have a childhood. You were young even in the eyes of men when your people had given you your duties."
Rai sighed. "I am an elven mage Aseale. I had no choice. It was my responsibility to train so that I could protect my kindred when the time came and as you can see the need for my powers did befall us."
"Perhaps." Aseale stood and her eyes smiled down gently at the brunette. "But do try to enjoy yourself while you have the chance. Now I do believe that I should be going."
"I shall see you again tomorrow then. And," Wintry eyes sparkled slightly. "I promise I shall try to take advantage of my predicament. Thank you."
Without answer, Aseale trotted off into the foliage leaving Rai to gaze after her for a moment before returning to his talon to prepare his last present.
* * * * *
Derek sighed wistfully as he found himself strolling the grounds again in the middle of the night. Last year he would have found himself brooding in bed but ever since he had been promoted to a Prefect, the Slytherin took to the outdoors. /Why is it that I only act as I do around Rai? Around everyone else I can behave nicely but no matter what I just can't get one compliment out of my mouth to him. It just figures that he would be the one that I want to like me./ Scowling to himself, Derek barely noticed when he accidentally entered the Forbidden Forest. Although when a low growl sounded to his right, the ebony-haired wizard finally took note of his surroundings and he quickly pulled out his wand. /Bloody wonderful. Now how do I get out of here?/
Next thing, Derek knew there was a loud shuffling in the bushes and if it weren't for the arrows that penetrated the monster's skull and heart, it would have killed the wizard. Cobalt eyes, swept the area for his savior and Derek was slightly shocked to find Rai leaping down from one of the trees.
"You should be more careful when you are within the shelter these trees Derek." Rai warned, a tint of concern in his words.
The wizard was still in shock as he numbly nodded and watched as the brunette once again clambered up the nearest tree, jumping expertly from one branch to another until he vanished behind a platform. A few seconds later when Rai noticed that Derek was not about to follow him, peeked his head back over. "Are you coming? Tis not safe for you to remain by yourself on the forest floor."
Derek raised an eyebrow and eyed the tree. "Just how do you expect me to climb this thing? I'm not an elf in case you don't remember."
Rai sighed and made his way down to the ground once again. "I do not favor going up and down over and over again young one." Offering his hand to the cobalt-eyed boy the light elf gently hauled him into the tree. "Come on. I shall help you."
Together they climbed through the branches, going at a much slower pace than Rai had gone by himself. When they reached the talon at last, the elf turned away from Derek to gather his supplies and prepare some food for them to eat.
"Why are you here anyway?" Rai questioned as he handed a cup to the black- haired wizard and set down a plate of lembas. Taking the seat beside Derek, Rai cocked his head to the side adorably.
"I had a lot on my mind. I wanted to go for a walk, I just wasn't aware that I had entered the forest. Why are *you* here?" Retorted Derek as he took a sip of his drink.
"*I* am here because this is my home." Silver-blue eyes glared over the rim of the cup. "If I find that you share this information with anyone I shall make sure that you will regret it."
Derek held up one hand in surrender. "You have my word I won't."
Gazing into the cobalt gems, Rai at last offered a small smile and a silence wrapped around them. Only the sounds of the night life in the forest drifted about the two and even though neither would admit it, they enjoyed the other's presence.
Finally, after a long while, even though it only felt like short moments to the two, Derek spoke. "It's late. We should probably return to our dorms before anyone comes looking for us. Or at least for me. Even my advantages as a Perfect doesn't allow me to wander into the Forbidden Forest at night."
"I suppose." Rai sighed as he gathered the dishes. "I shall return with you for I am finished with my business here for the night." He paused then, his wintry eyes clouding over in confusion. "May I ask a question?"
Derek shrugged nonchalantly. "Why not? What is it?"
"Wh—when is Christmas?" Rai asked quietly, slightly embarrassed at his naivety on the subject.
Smiling, the Slytherin answered. "Let's see. Today is the 19th so Christmas should be in seven days."
"Oh," Rai gently retrieved a few random items, carefully placing them into a small pack. "that's good. Thank you."
"Why did you want to know? You're an elf. Why should you care about one of our holidays?" Derek asked as he climbed down cautiously behind Rai.
Rai glanced behind him and raised an eyebrow. "I have my reasons and tis also an advantage to know about those that you are fated to be with for a long period of time."
"Sure. Whatever you say." They had come to the edge of the trees and moonlight now bathed them instead of the darkness that dominated under the leaves and branches. Strolling through the dew dampened grass the two finally reached the entrance hall where they departed from the other without any further words. It just wasn't necessary as both knew that the tentative truce that they had reached tonight would be dissolved in the morning in front of the many watching and judging eyes. Any utterance from either the elf or the man would upset the fragile balance that allowed them to walk away from the other and so they remained silent, each disappearing into the shadows of the corridors.
* * * * *
"Heads up!" Rai shot through the air and knock away the quaffle just before it entered one of the goal hoops. He grinned as Draco caught the ball and flew over to him. "That was great. I think you really are a natural keeper. Too bad you're a Gryffindor not a Slytherin or I would have you on the team already."
Rai smiled brightly. "I owe it all to you Draco. You are the one that taught me to fly after all."
Draco snorted but he immediately smiled. "You're a natural Rai. You can't deny that. Talk to Potter. He is the team captain and I heard that the Gryffindor team needs a new keeper anyway since Wood left."
"I do not. . ."
"Just try it." The blonde Slytherin coasted to the ground and gracefully landed, shouting back up at Rai who was still in the air. "Tell me how it goes tomorrow."
The elf raised a surprised eyebrow and watched silently as his friend trailed back to the school. Sighing to himself, Rai landed as well and followed the path that Draco had taken. /I guess it wouldn't hurt to give it a try./
* * * * *
Later that night, Draco found himself calmly reading a book in the confines of his bed and the empty dorm room. The hush soothed him and heightened his senses, so when there came the almost silent shift of footsteps in the room, his blonde head shot up and silver eyes narrowed. Drawing his wand, Draco cautiously reached for the drapes before pushing them aside abruptly.
Rai nearly jumped as the curtains to one of the beds flew open but his control allowed him to remain calm and he shook his head as he recognized Draco. "Umm. . .sorry about the intrusion but I have some news for you."
"Sheesh Rai. Don't do that! How did you get in here anyway?" Draco motioned for Rai to take a seat beside him and placed his text on the nightstand.
"Sorry about frightening you and as for how I got in here, that is my secret." The brunette smiled, his wintry eyes sparkling.
Draco leaned back against the headboard and tilted his head slightly in question. "So what was so urgent that you had to sneak into the Slytherin dorms?"
"Well," Rai began. "remember how you told me to ask Harry about the keeper position? I took your advice and he's agreed to allowing me to try out tomorrow afternoon. I was wondering if you wanted to come watch."
"As much as I would love to Rai, you know I can't. Harry will be there and. . ." Rai cut him off.
"Please." Pleaded the elf. "It would mean so much to me."
The blonde flinched as the imploring eyes locked onto his and with a sigh Draco nodded. "Fine but you will owe me big for this. I just don't see how I'm supposed to get in there without someone kicking me out."
Rai grinned. "Leave that up to me. Besides, I've heard that you like to watch Harry fly. This'll give you the perfect chance."
Before Draco could reply though, the elf had disappeared into thin air. Falling back into his bed, the Slytherin knew his cheeks were burning as he remembered Rai's last comment. /You just wait Rai Maxwell. I know exactly who to set you up with./
T.B.C.
1. The common tongue is the normal English language. This is used so that the different races in Middle Earth can communicate to one another without having to learn the others' form of speech.
Well, how's that for the fourth chapter? I know it didn't really go anywhere but I promise it will soon. (i.e.-Quidditch tryouts. *ahem*) Anyway. . .please read and review and now I've gotta start working on some of my other stories and try to finish the next chapter to this one soon. So I guess until next time everyone and feedback is much appreciated.