Happy Christmas

Chapter 1: The Season for Romance

LunarianPrincess

Holiday traditions become challenges and your partner is your worst enemy, what's a girl to do? Win, of course! Ginny and Draco are competing in the holiday challenge Dumbledore comes up with to promote unity among the houses.

Each chapter will be named for a different tradition, or a different holiday song. Suggest a favorite tradition of yours or a favorite holiday song and I may use it! But please send lyrics as I will use each in the chapter named for it.

SDA: I own Sam and Claud, thanks for reading! Oh and the song used for this chapter was the inspiration for this fic, and though it doesn't really have anything to do with this chap, it will provide the plot for later chapters. The song is by LeeAnn Womack.

She smiles at him

He says hello,

They stand beneath the mistletoe

Embarrassed by the awkward circumstance

He asks her if she'd like a drink

She says "I better not I think,

Oh what the heck maybe just one glass"

They talk about, oh this and that

He says "I like the way you laugh and

I'm so really glad you're here"

Then suddenly it's much too warm

She feels his hand against her arm

The season loves the reason for romance

It'll get you if you give it half a chance

The night goes on

The music plays

A moonlight Christmas serenade

A lover's song that's meant for only two

And they don't even know it yet

But this is one they'll not forget

The holiday where all their dreams came true

Across the floor he spins her round

Oh could it be they've finally found

The love worth waiting for

Then in the tender yuletide bliss

They share an unexpected kiss

The season loves the reason for romance

It'll get you if you give it half a chance

Then suddenly the night is gone

It's late into an early morn

The season loves the reason for romance

Ohhhh, it'll get you if you give it half a chance

Ginny sat alone at lunch, away from her sparse companions. The Great Hall was nearly empty, as usual for the winter holidays. Looking around she surveyed her companions. The Hufflepuff table had four girls clustered together and two boys at the opposite end, in the middle sat a boy and a girl staring into each other's eyes. She recognized two girls and a boy from her year and the rest were younger. At Ravenclaw's table, two boys sat huddled together heatedly debating something while a black haired girl hunched over her book while occasionally taking a bite of food, at the other end, two girls and a boy sat together talking calmly. Her own table had two first year girls giggling while looking at the newest beauty magazine while two third year boys perused a Quidditch booklet on the newest brooms, at the opposite end a boy sat alone, Claudius, he was a transfer student and was in the year ahead of her, a few seats down from him were a girl and boy third years, he was talking and she was giggling.

The last table was Slytherin. There were three girls grouped together though they seemed very hostile towards each other. One girl was sitting alone, she was in Ginny's year and had the most beautiful chestnut curls. She had glasses on and she was reading a book. Ginny knew that this was one of the only decent Slytherin girls, her name was Samantha Myst and she was one of the smartest girls in the year. Her eyes drifted down to where a group of boys were arguing, it seemed that it was two against one and she smiled as the single boy argued passionately. Near them a girl was smiling at a boy and he seemed captivated, she turned away jealously, why was it that at the holidays everyone was preoccupied with love. Her eyes continued down the table, where part of it was obscured by shadow. She was shocked to see pale silver eyes staring back at her. She gasped and saw that Malfoy sat alone, far away from the normally admiring fans of his house. It occurred to her that he was hiding, but what possible reason could the great Malfoy have to avoid his fellow housemates.

Ignoring the inscrutable eyes she returned to her lonely meal. Glaring into space, she thought about the friends that had left her. Harry, Luna, Ron, and Hermione had all gone on a winter holiday with the reward money they had received for defeating Lord Voldemort. Ginny had gotten money, but she had saved some of it or spent it on other things. She had gotten presents for everyone in her family and bought new robes and a new, top of the line, racing broom. Her mum and dad had said that she was welcome to return home, but with the absence of all her brothers she knew she would be lonely so she had opted to stay at Hogwarts, at least there were trips to Hogsmeade, Quidditch, and other activities to keep her occupied.

Finding she had lost her appetite she pushed her plate away and strode quickly out of the unusually quiet Great Hall. She started up the stairs and headed towards the Gryffindor common room. She got there and found the two people she had known were missing from dinner. Collin and his new boyfriend, Benjamin, were curled up in front of the fire. They smiled at her when she walked in, she gave a wave and continued on towards the small room she had to herself. Being a prefect she had her own room that was separate from that of her house, also it had its own password. She walked in and lit her own fire. Feeling restricted by her school clothes she changed quickly into her newly purchased pajamas. Her black pants and tank top had tiny purple stars and moons embroidered all over them. Once she had changed, she headed to her favorite spot, the window seat.

She sat and looked out at the glistening landscape. The white frost was lit by the moon and gave everything a mysterious glow. She looked out on the desolate landscape and felt curiously at peace. Growing bored she grabbed a few books she had to return to the library. Grabbing her matching jacket she zipped it up and headed back to the common room. She told Collin and Benji where she was going when they politely inquired, and walked down to the library. She walked for a while lost in her contemplations, not noticing that she had passed the library. The halls were oddly empty and she noticed that the candle lit passages seemed even more shadowy and secluded than normal, she was so caught up in looking furtively around that she wasn't watching where she was going. Before she realized it she had nearly mowed someone down. She almost let out a terrified scream and instead covered it with loud cough. She started apologizing and grabbing the various articles that had fallen. She set her books on the side and straightened the person's books and various parchments. She glanced up and found enigmatic grey eyes watching her every move. Self consciously she handed him his things before speaking.

"Sorry, Malfoy, I was a little… distracted," she said in a small voice. He raised his eyebrow at her show of nerves. She huffed angrily and grabbed her scattered things from the floor.

"Well, little weasel, what has got you so distracted that you didn't see me," he asked haughtily, with a laugh in his voice. She glared at him before jutting her chin forward challengingly.

"Well, it was dark and I thought I saw something, besides you aren't all that noticeable," she lied. He narrowed his eyes at her and she took that moment to survey his appearance. His platinum hair was slightly mussed from their collision and he was wearing green silk pajama bottoms and a white tank top that showed off his muscular arms and showed off his trim figure, a black robe finished the look. He raised his eyebrow at her inspection before scoffing.

"Not that noticeable, right, Weasley if you are going to lie make sure it's not to a master," he waited a beat before looking at her quizzically, "besides what are you doing near the Slytherin dungeons?" he questioned her suspiciously.

"Oh, is that where I am, I wondered why I didn't recognize anything, no I was on my way to the library when my overactive imagination caught up with me," she said self-mockingly.

"Aww, was the little weasel scared," Malfoy drawled. She glared at him before stomping away from him, calling over her shoulder "You're a git, Malfoy!" she stomped a little ways away before looking around confusedly. "Well, weasel, if you're going to make a grand exit at least make sure you know where you're going," his voice said mockingly from directly behind her. She jumped and spun around to face him, she almost lost her balance but she grabbed his arm to keep upright.

"Don't do that!" she said loudly, catching her breath. Malfoy laughed at her and waited for her to get her composure back. She had felt her skin heat when she grabbed his arm and quickly let go of the offending limb.

"You do know that to discourage people from sabotaging Slytherin dorms that anyone who doesn't know where they are going will get lost down here right?" he asked her mockingly.

"I knew I should have listened to Hermione and read Hogwarts: a History," she muttered under her breath. She swallowed and looked up. "Malfoy will you show me how to get back to the main staircase?" she asked in a tone of ultimate patience.

"What do I get out of it, Weasley?" he asked her arrogantly.

"The sooner you show me the sooner you get rid of me," she remarked irritably.

"Yes, but insulting you is always so entertaining," he rejoined sarcastically. She glared at him while he waited for her answer.

"I'll owe you, okay?" she offered impatiently. "Now, can you please get me out of here, it's creepy down here in the dark," she said looking apprehensively around the dim hallway.

"C'mon," he said, grabbing her arm and propelling her in the opposite direction, as he laughed at her fear. Ginny recognized where she was a few minutes later, they had reached a hall that was in front of the Potions dungeon. Turning she faced Malfoy, he crossed his arms and looked at her haughtily. She looked him over again, taking in his clothes and posture. She was struck by how unarmed he looked, he didn't seem as confident and aloof.

"Thank you, Malfoy," she said softly standing and watching him.

"Well, Weasley, don't forget it's near Christmas and you owe me," he said darkly before turning and stalking into the Potions dungeon. Ginny stood there in silence for a minute. She went over their odd meeting and quickly shrugged it off. Grabbing her things she headed up the rambling staircases and headed into the library. She sat at a small table in the back behind many bookshelves, her customary table, and pulled out a small book from the other stack. It was a book on Hogwarts Christmas traditions, Dumbledore had made an announcement that for this Christmas the staff and remaining students would participate in many old holiday traditions. Ginny had been intrigued by this peculiar announcement. She had always loved the holidays for it represented a time of unity and harmony between friends and enemies alike.

She perused the book, recognizing many of the traditions, laughing when she saw odd ones and reading avidly when she found something interesting. A long while later she looked at the clock, she was surprised to note that it was well after 9 and she had a ten o'clock curfew. She went to the front desk to drop off her books and to recheck out the Christmas Traditions book. Walking slowly she tramped slowly towards Gryffindor tower, this time paying attention to which hallways she took. She stood before the portrait and said the password, holly-something. She walked in and found Collin and Benji in almost the same position. Collin lay across the sofa and Benji was between his legs, reclining, asleep. Ginny smiled at her best friend and waved, he smiled and blew her a cheeky kiss. She laughed silently before heading down an obscure passageway to her solitary room. It had its own door, about a level or two below, but she hardly ever used it, she preferred to keep in touch with her friends in the common room.

She walked into her room to find an unusual gift left on her bed. A red package wrapped with a golden ribbon, on top was a piece of parchment. She set her books on the desk that was near the door. Walking over she picked it up and inspected, all over the package and embossed picture of holly lay. The card read: Dear Hogwarts student, I would like to inform you of a new tradition that has been implemented to provide a chance for house unity. We will have a series of competitions, based on a variety of holiday traditions, all students third year or above will participate. Each person competing will have an alias, yours happens to be Holly, as such a costume has been provide for your activities, please wear it and enjoy! Also you will have a partner who will compete in all competitions with you. The two winners of the competitions will preside over the Christmas Feast as king and queen of the festivities. Happy Holidays.

Ginny smiled at the note, this was what Dumbledore had been talking about. She opened the package carefully and pulled out the well wrapped gift, unfurling it she let out a breath of reverence. An old fashioned gown of red velvet was held in front of her, it had accents of deep green. Reaching inside the box she extracted more gifts. A pair of earrings, a necklace, and combs for her hair were in a box together, also a mask that were all adorned with holly designs. Under that was a dark green velvet cloak lined with red silk and edged in white fur, she stroked the luxurious fabric and smiled at the chance she was being given. At the bottom lay another note, she unfolded it and held it up. Your first challenge is a sleigh ride, to be held tomorrow at 10 o'clock. Please report to the front hall at 9:45 sharp tomorrow morning. You will be told who your partner will be and you must reach all checkpoints and receive your ornament, to go on your team tree, the winner of the game will be determined by the tree with the most challenge ornaments. Good luck!

Ginny hung the dress carefully in her wardrobe and laid the jewelry reverently on her dresser. She grabbed the book of her desk and sat in the window seat, it was a small alcove in her room and she loved to sit there, reading or just thinking. She opened the festively bound Traditions book. She flipped to the part about sleigh rides and was surprised to note that it was originally used as a courting tool. The couple, or couples, would sing carols while riding. She remembered as a kid, her brothers pulling her around on a small sled while they all sung, her mother had dressed them up and they went caroling from house to house. She smiled nostalgically, remembering the snowball fights that had broken out on their route. She yawned widely, stretching leisurely. Setting the book down, she extinguished all the lights and fell into bed. The light from the moon reflected on the snow illuminated the room with a pale blue cast. She fell asleep and dreamt of riding in a carriage cuddled up next to a warm, comfortable body.

Well, that's it for the first chapter, next chapter Sleigh Ride. The whole dark chamber and coming up behind her, really happened to me, only it was much less romantic. PS the whole two winners implied the pair not two pairs of winners. I'd love to have some feedback, do you think it's too early for x-mas fics? Oh well, please review! LP