Daniel pushed away from the dinner table and patted his belly. He had come a long way from being the small and scrawny boy who had put on his first Hogwarts robe. Eating large amounts of good food had fattened him up, though he was still on the slender side. Four long months of climbing goalposts, whacking Bludgers, and (as much as he disliked it) splitting logs, had broadened his shoulders and put muscle on his frame.
There had been no log-splitting this morning, though. The previous morning, when he had returned Daniel's wand, Chonker had brusquely told him, "Mistress says you can have a lie in next three days. That's tomorrow, Christmas, an' Boxing Day. But be back on the 27th, usual time."
"Tell her thanks for me, OK?" Daniel said. With the classrooms remaining unheated, and a number of dormitories empty, he was usually done in an hour anyway, but waking up at 4:00 AM wore him down.
It was good not to have to wake early, but the extra free time just gave Daniel extra time to think. And his thoughts were not especially happy ones. Around Christmas, they never were.
After being abandoned at birth, he had been placed with an adoptive family for three and a half years. He had few memories of that place, which had ended when the father's business had gone under and the couple had divorced. The next two had merely been temporary shelters, good people who had treated him well, but understood that he was merely a houseguest. But the fourth had been different: the couple had been too old to adopt, but they had loved him and treated him as a son. He had been with them for nearly two years, and had two happy Christmases. Memories of that home had sustained him in the seven terrible months he had spent at his fifth and last home, and the ensuing two and a half years at Morning Sun.
Seeing the other students so excited about the coming holidays reminded Daniel of his kindergarten and first grade years, and eagerly awaiting the holiday with his friends. The specials on TV, the treats, the lights, decorating the trees, and finally opening the presents on Christmas morning. And then, enjoying his presents. Of course, there was no more of that at foster home number five, no sir-ee. The only thing he had gotten on Christmas that day was a few strokes across the rear end with a leather belt.
At Morning Sun, it was little better. The state gave everyone a few small gifts, but nothing more than boxes of crayons, bags of candy, school boxes. But that was fine, in its own way, because the bigger kids didn't bother stealing them, at least not from him anymore. A few peppermints and a Lion King school box weren't worth getting bitten for. But there wasn't anything to get excited about, either. And of course, if you believed in Santa when you arrived there, you were enlightened in that regard. No childhood innocence existed there, just hard reality.
He felt his spirits lift as he glanced around the hall. He could live without the television; it was all crap these days anyway, and the food was there: among the dainties he had just filled himself up with were fudge, Christmas cookies, and eggnog. There were also candy canes of all flavour, several of which he tucked in his pocket alongside his wand. And the trees were awesome. Muggles could do amazing things with lights, but nothing like what Flitwick had managed here.
He and Harry had talked in private once, about the subject of presents. Daniel knew that compared to his roommate, he had had it good. He had experienced seven months of abuse, but Harry had endured close to ten years of it. And Daniel at least remembered what it was like to get Christmas presents. The closest thing Harry had come was handing the Dursley's their presents on Christmas morning. And so, when Ron had confided to him that his mother had written him and asked for Harry's approximate size, Daniel knew that he had no right to envy Harry's good fortune. Especially since Mrs. Weasley's ire with him was entirely justified.
Still, he thought, it would be difficult to watch everyone open their gifts when he had none of his own. And he couldn't expect his friends to give him stuff, not when he couldn't afford to give them anything. But his current net worth was a sickle and eighteen knuts.
He wended his way through the castle, hoping to burn the hours between dinner and bedtime by exploring, when something hauntingly familiar reached his ears. Something that took him back to a time when he was smaller and happier and more innocent. He remembered two Christmas Eves past, when he was five and six. He recalled sitting in a dimly lit building, very much like the Great Hall but with a ceiling. And music, beautiful music, some of it sung by a group of people in robes, some of it sung by everyone in the building. It had gone way past his bedtime, and by the time they got to the last thundering chorus of "Joy to the World", he had been out on his feet. He hadn't made it home either time: the first time, he had winked out in his foster dad's arms on the way to the car, on the second, he had fallen asleep in the car on the way home. Both times, he had awakened in his bed on Christmas morning, and discovered that Santa had made his annual midnight visit.
The world was different, and he was different. He was alone now, and any religious faith he might have had as a young boy had been splintered by his last foster home, and pulverized by Morning Sun. But the memories of the past drew him onward, into a small tunnel just outside the entrance to Hufflepuff house. It led to what appeared to be a chapel of sorts. A gathering of students were there, in full uniform, singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem". Professor Flitwick was at the front of the group, directing them.
As they sang, Daniel noticed that four or five of the students at the front were folding large green frogs in their hands, and the creatures croaked along to the tune. It didn't seem like that would sound good, but for some odd reason it did.
When the song ended, Flitwick nodded. "Lovely, just lovely. Let's move on to. . . oh, hello there. Daniel, right?"
Daniel nodded. "That's me."
"Well, were you thinking of joining us? We're going to Hogsmeade, we and several other groups are having a carol-sing there."
"I don't think I can go," Daniel said, but Flitwick shook his head.
"That rule does not apply to observances such as this," he said. "As long as you're with the group, it is permissible."
"Sounds like fun," Daniel said.
"He doesn't know the songs, though," said one of the very few Slytherin's present. "And we don't have time for him to get his stuff."
"He can just sing the melody this time around," Flitwick replied. "If he decides to join us for real, we can concern ourselves with parts. And as for the clothes, I still remember how to perform a Summoning charm."
And so, it came to pass that Daniel made his way into Hogsmeade village that night, as a light snow drifted down and added to the blanket of soft whiteness already on the ground. Melanie Maddox, a seventh-year Gryffindor prefect, made a point of taking him under her wing and showing him the closed-up shops. "That's Zonko's joke shop right there," she said, pointing. "And there's Honeydukes, where you can get every imaginable kind of goody. And down the road a ways is the Shrieking Shack."
"How come we can't go here yet?" Daniel asked, holding onto Melanie's mittened hand. There were a lot of people about, and she didn't want him to get lost.
"I don't know. It's just the rules. There it is." She indicated the town square. Another choir was already up on the risers that had been placed (or conjured up maybe) in its center, underneath an old-style gas-powered streetlamp. They were singing a carol that Daniel didn't know.
"Hey, Melanie? What do I do if you guys sing a song I don't know?"
"You should know most of the tunes, and the words are in your book." She indicated a songbook they both had. "If you get to one you don't know, just mouth the words and look happy."
Flitwick indicated the risers, and the singers climbed up onto them. Daniel was placed in the front row, though he wasn't holding a frog. "We'll start with Jingle Bells," Flitwick whispered. He gave Daniel a quick smile. "Don't worry, boy. You're supposed to be having fun."
The group went through their considerable repertoire. Daniel did have to mouth the words for two or three songs, but he knew most of it. It was funny, he thought, he had had so little to sing about for so long, he had forgotten just how much fun it was. Finally, an hour later, they had completed their last song, and the next choir was up. A few students left, but Daniel and Melanie stayed around for them. Finally, the concert was over, and the crowd began to disperse.
As Melanie and Daniel were leaving, a friendly-faced Hufflepuff addressed them. "Hey, Mel. You guys want to join us for a butterbeer?"
"I'd love to, but I've got to go wrap presents," Melanie said. "Besides, they'd never let him in." You had to at least pass for a third-year to get into the Three Broomsticks. Daniel barely passed for a first-year.
"All right, then. Couple for the road?"
"You read my mind." The young man disappeared inside, then emerged with two bottles, steaming warm in the cold. Daniel eyed his with interest. "Try it, kid. It's butterbeer."
Daniel took a drink. "Mmmmmmmmm. Oh, yeah, that's good."
Flitwick addressed Daniel as they headed back. "You have a nice voice, Daniel. You'd be welcome in our group. We rehearse on Thursday nights at 7:30."
"I'll be there," Daniel said.
As he returned to Gryffindor, now walking much more slowly than before, he spied Cassandra sitting by the fire. The twins, Fred and George, were with her. Daniel smiled at all three of them. "Hey, guys. How's it going?"
"All right, Dan," Cass said. The twins nodded to him as well.
Daniel somehow sensed that they were waiting for the room to empty out, but he was too tired to worry about why. "Well, good night, all."
Up in the dorm, Harry was asleep already. Since he expected no presents the next day, he had no reason to be excited. Ron was still sitting up, feeding his pet rat.
"Where have you been?" Ron wanted to know, noting his black cloak, which still had ice crystals clinging to it.
"Hogsmeade," Daniel said.
"What? No! How'd you get there!"
Daniel told the story, as he got ready for bed. "If you ever get there, make sure you try the butterbeer. It's great stuff."
Ron nodded. "I know, Fred and George sneaked me some once. You're so lucky."
As Daniel climbed into his bed, which was all toasty, thanks to the warming pan there, he thought about that. He really was lucky. He had a warm bed he wouldn't have to fight to keep, all the good food, and the best friends anyone could ask for. Even the lengthy detention was, in its way, a good thing: it showed that the people here actually cared about him. He resolved then and there to count his blessings this Christmas, rather than get in a tizzy about what he didn't have.
Chapter 92: Cassandra SerenityThe holidays at Hogwarts were very different from anything Cass had expected. Almost all of the children had gone home for the holidays to spend time with their families. In fact, Cassandra was the only girl in her year that had stayed behind. This left her with a very large room, which also turned out to be very quiet when there was no one to share it with. For that reason Cassandra hadn't been staying her dorm room much at all. Instead she had been lingering in the common room most of the time.
Besides Cassandra Daniel, the Weasley boys and Harry had all stayed at Hogwarts for the holidays as well. This made her feel a bit better. She at least still had some friends around to pass the time with, which is exactly what she did. Playing chess with Ron, chatting with Daniel and Harry, and even joking around with the twins all of this seemed to make the holidays a bit more bearable.
It had been hard on Cassandra to tell her grandmum that she wouldn't be coming home for the holidays. Actually, Cassandra had been rather shocked when her grandmum had sent a simple reply of "I understand". Grandmum is always like that Cass thought to herself as she read the reply one morning in the great hall. She always has this mysterious way of knowing just the right thing to say and do.
To keep her mind off of not being with her family, Cassandra had been trying to keep as busy as she could. Hanging out and playing games with the boys during the day and chatting Quistle, Panthe, and Orest's rather large ears off at night. Though she could still feel the ache of not being home, Cassandra felt better about her decision.
The time seemed to be passing quicker than she had thought it would and Cassandra soon found that it was the day before Christmas. She had already wrapped all of her presents and sent those that needed to be delivered out by owl. Now she was lazily sitting in front of the roar common room fire and listening to the wizarding wireless network.
"Hi Cass" can the sound of two voices speaking in perfect unison.
"Hi George, Hi Fred" Cass replied without even looking up to see who had spoken to her.
Fred and George Weasley both plopped down in seats next to Cassandra, their normal grinning faces looking especially jovial today. Seeing that the two were up to something Cass looked them both up and down for a moment.
"Ok, what are you two up too?" She asked while keeping a steady eye on both of them.
"Us?" Fred replied with a mocking look of disbelief.
"Up to something?" chorused in George with the same mocking look of disbelief placed firmly on his face.
"Oh, don't give me that." Cass piped up quickly.
The two boys looked at each with smirks slowly spreading across their faces. They seemed to be doing that thing that twins do, talking to each other without ever saying a word. It was very odd to watch and the expressions that both boys wore only made the interaction all the more strange. Finally, George broke the rather unpleasant silence that had formed while the two boys were staring at each other.
"We wanted to know" George started.
"If you wanted to come" Fred continued.
"With us tonight" George finished with a very large grin.
"Come where?" Cassandra questioned with a bit of apprehension, her eyes darting back and forth between the two mischievous looking boys.
Fred was the first to talk this time. "You said you wanted to"
"come with us some time" George, again finishing the sentence his brother had started.
Cassandra wasn't sure what the two had in mind, but to back down now would mean weeks if not months of jokes, all at her expense. She knew she would rather face the trouble she could get into than the pranks and jokes that would follow if she didn't go along. Summoning up all her courage Cassandra gave a nod, both to herself and to the boys.
"Ok, I'm in" she said with not a single waver in her voice. "When?"
"Tonight" Fred whispered so that only she and George would hear.
"We have a few plans to brighten the holidays" George continued to whisper. For some reason the sound of him whispering softly to her made a shiver run up her spine.
"Ok, tonight then" Cass replied with a feeling of excitement starting to build inside of herself.
It was now 1am, technically Christmas, and Cassandra was descending the steps from the girl's dorm room. She had pulled on pair of black pants and a warm dark blue sweater that was well fitting. Her scarlet red hair was pulled back into a ponytail with small wisps of hair curling around her face. She had also grabbed her cloak, just in case they would be venturing out into the cold.
After entering the common room Cassandra saw that both Fred and George were already waiting for her. The both were wearing black slacks and matching blue sweaters, except for George's had a large 'G' while Fred's had a large 'F' on it. They had also brought down their cloaks so Cassandra was sure they would be leaving the common room.
"Hey there Cass" they both said as she stepped off the last step into the common room. "Ready to go?"
"I guess so" she intoned a bit nervous as to what they would be doing tonight.
"Don't worry" George said with a smile.
"We wouldn't do anything to get you killed" Fred added in with a laugh. Cassandra could feel her excitement turning to dread with that single comment.
Following after the boys Cassandra stayed as close as she could without actually stepping on one of them. The two boys were twisting and turning through the maze of halls and corridors that made up Hogwarts. Stopping on occasion to take a quick look at a map and then again they were off.
It seemed rather strange to Cassandra the two third years would need a map of Hogwarts, especially these to third years. However, Cass never got close enough to take a look at the map. She was spending most of her time feeling her heart racing and beating so hard she thought it would escape from her chest.
Finally the three Gryffindor's found themselves in the entrance hall. Following after Fred and George, they slipped through a door on the right hand side of the stairs and entered a long hallway. After a bit of a walk the three students were standing in front of a picture of a bowl of fruit. Fred reached up and tickled a pear in the painting. To Cassandra's surprise the pear giggled and became a door handle.
"Where are we going?" Cassandra whispered to George as she followed him through the doorway.
She was never answer, however, as she could see for herself where they were. The three Gryffindor's had just come into a large room with high ceilings and a huge brick fireplace at the other end of the room. Pots and pans lined the walls and four large tables the size of those used in the great hall were sitting in front of them.
As if this wasn't enough for Cass to take in, there were hundreds of house elves all running up to them asking what they could do for them. Looking over the mass of house elves Cassandra spotted Quistle, Panthe, and Orest all moving from the blazing fire towards the three humans. Panthe was the first of the three house elves Cassandra knew to reach her.
"Miss, what's you doing down here?" she asked in a quiet tone.
Cassandra shook her head slightly not sure what to say. "I don't really know Panthe" was all she could think of. "I guess you should ask these two" she answered motioning to the two large boys in front of her.
"Miss knows those two?" Panthe asked a bit of surprise in her voice. Cassandra gave a small smile and nodded yes.
At hearing Cass talking to someone George turned around. Looking from Panthe to Cassandra and back again, Cassandra couldn't help but give a giggle. This was the same look she had used on the twins many times over when she just wasn't sure about them.
"Seems you already know some house elves" he said with a laughing voice.
"Yes, this is Panthe" Cassandra said looking to the house elf in a pink pillow case dress. "She takes care of Gryffindor tower and this is Orest" she pointed to another house elf who was wearing a blue bath towel as a loin cloth. Finally she pointed to a house elf in a hunter green sheet that was tied up like a toga "and this is Quistle."
The formal introduction seemed to embarrass the three elves for they were all bowing down low and Cassandra could see a hint of pink forming at their ear tips. George also seemed taken back by the formal introduction of three house elves. He gave a smile and nodded to each of the elves and then turned back to his brother who was asking different elves for different things. Each elf that was asked for something would then run off and fetch it back as quickly as possible.
"Mistress wants something from the kitchens?" Quistle asked with his usual anxious tone.
"No, I'm fine" Cassandra replied with a soft smile to her friend.
After a few more minutes of speaking to Panthe, Quistle and Orest, Cassandra finally tapped George on the shoulder to get his attention. His arms were full of treats and goodies in different parcels and packages. He actually looked more like a mule carrying a heavy load then the boy she knew.
"Is that what we're doing here?" she asked looking to all the food and treats.
"Yeah, but there's more, we just needed to stop here first and get supplies." was George's reply.
"Are we going to carry all of that back up stairs?" she asked a bit worried.
"Of course" Fred chimed in.
"Well why don't we just ask my friends to bring it upstairs for us?" she remarked looking at the two boys as if they had lost their minds.
Cassandra then turned to Panthe, Orest, and Quistle. "Would you mind taking this up to the common room for us?" she asked sincerely. The three house elves beamed with pride as they all shook their heads yes.
Emptying their heavily loaded arms of the many parcels and packages, the two twins gave Cassandra a smirk. "See, I knew there was a reason we brought the smart one with us" quipped George with a laugh.
After saying a quick farewell to her friends and the other house elves Cassandra followed Fred and George back up to Gryffindor tower. Taking as many twists and turns on the way back as they had on the way down. If it had been for her following the two of them Cassandra would have been thoroughly lost.
Upon entering the common room the three noticed the large pile of goodies they had been planning on carrying up the eight flights of stairs. It was placed carefully on a long table near the right side of the room and it actually appeared to have grown by a bit more. Cassandra gave an inward smile knowing that her friend must have added a few more treats of their own.
"So now what?" Cassandra questioned as the three slumped down into the couch in front of the fire.
"Now it's time for the fun." Fred said with a glint in his eye.
The three set to work adding a bit more holiday cheer to the common room. Besides the garland and tree that had already been placed in the room. The three added a few streaming banners that flashed 'Merry Christmas', some mistletoe for any lovers who might be left, colored sparkles that lit up the fire red and green, and George charmed each entrance to the common room to throw glitter and bits of colored paper as each person entered the common room.
It was well passed 4am when the three had finished with their feet for the night. Sitting in front of the fire, watching as it changed colours between red and green, Cassandra eyes began to feel heavy. Slumber was calling to her and she could feel herself being pulled into its trance. With a small look to her left Cassandra noted that sleep had already claimed Fred. He was curled up in an armchair, his cloak thrown over him like a blanket. Looking to her right Cassandra saw George sitting at the other end of the couch. His eyes closed and his breath coming evenly, he was asleep as well. With her last bit of conscious thought Cassandra noticed how handsome George looked as he slept. Then a blissful peace settled over her as sleep finally took hold.
The sight the next morning would be a special one to behold. The common room was decorated with as much cheer as could possible fit into one room and there in the center of it were three sleeping Gryffindor's. Fred, sleeping soundly in a large armchair, his head resting firm against the chairs back wing, while his cloak sheltered him from the cold. On the couch George and Cassandra lay together. His head peacefully resting on the couch's left arm while Cassandra's head softly lay on the other arm. Their bodies close together and a single warm blanket folded over the two of them.
Chapter 93: Magenta ColdrenIt was December 24, Christmas Eve day, and Magenta was in high spirits. Tomorrow was Christmas, one of her favourite holidays. She had been prancing around Hogwarts since then end of November, singing Christmas tunes and yelling yuletide greetings to everyone.
From her place on the windowsill, Magenta counted the snowflakes that she could see through the white blur that surrounded her condo. It felt great to be home. She was in her room, which was all done up with bright colours, with big windows and a huge bed. She stood, went to her bed and flopped down on the mattress, yawning. It was evening, about 8 p.m. She stood once again and left her bedroom, bound for the kitchen.
Aunt Viv half walked, half danced around the kitchen, avoiding the corners of each counter surface. The radio was on, tuned to the station that played Christmas music all day at this time of year.
Vivian Coldren had been Magenta's father's sister. Ever since he had left his wife, who had died shortly after, now thirty-eight year old Vivian had taken care of her niece. She was very pretty, with brown eyes and a long, straight brown hair that fell to her mid back. She was not short, but not tall with a curvy figure and a gentle face. Magenta had always wished she could be as pretty as her aunt.
Magenta skipped her way over to the sink, dancing along with her aunt and singing along as well. As she washed the small pile of dishes that had accumulated there since the previous evening (they had held the annual Christmas neighbourhood get together), she and her aunt sang a little duet.
"I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
and presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams..."
Magenta wasn't the best singer in the world, but if the song was right, as this one was, she could hit the notes easily and sing almost as well as her friend Alondra.
After the song ended, Magenta was silent for a long time. Not only did she miss Christmas at Moor Castle, but she hadn't anticipated missing Cassandra, Daniel, and Alondra and the rest of her Hogwarts friends this much. She stared sadly at the plate she was working on drying. She wondered what they were doing just then.
"You miss them, don't you Maggie?" asked her Aunt from the oven, where she had just set the Cornish Game hens (a tradition for Christmas eve dinner) roasting. She turned her kind face to Magenta; her brown eyes locking with her nieces clear blue ones.
Vivian had always worried for Magenta, even before the Moor Castle attack. Sure, Magenta was a strong girl, she could stand up for herself, but there was only so much in life you could take after a while. Her father barely ever appeared in her life, although he had sent her very nice holiday greeting this year, the first time in three years, but a card couldn't substitute involvement in his daughter's own life. She knew that with each card, Magenta felt wearier. Vivian had never been sure that sending Magenta off to Hogwarts was a good idea, But, luckily, Magenta seemed to be taking to the school very well.
"Miss who, aunt Viv?" asked Magenta brightly, trying to mask her sadness.
"You know who I'm talking about, Magenta." said her aunt, glancing at her.
Before Magenta could respond, the phone rang.
"I'll get it!" she called, running out into the living room. She pulled the phone out of its receiver on the wall and answered "Merry Christmas! Coldren residence!"
"Merry Christmas to you too, Maggie, it's Mickey, is your aunt there?" asked Mickey Davis. Mickey was an Auror, like Magenta's aunt, and also part of the League, a team of highly train professionals from all over the U.S. who handled problem.
"Aunt Viv, it's Mick!" she called back to her aunt. Viv walked out into the living room and took the phone from her niece. Magenta went back to the kitchen. In the other room she could hear her aunt.
"Mick, I can't go out there! Maggie is here, what will she do? Mick, please, It's Christmas, don't do this to me!" There was a pause, apparently Mick speaking. Then, finally, "Fine, I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning. Yeah, Merry Christmas to you too, Mick. See ya there, I guess."
Magenta stood, staring at the door. She's leaving? She thought. Her aunt came back into the kitchen, opened the oven and pull out dinner. Without looking at the crestfallen Magenta, she told her what was going on.
"There's trouble up north, I gotta go help out. I can't get out of this, magenta, I swear. Next year, ok?" she said, turning to look Magenta in the eye. Magenta nodded sadly
"Um, okay, so... where am I going for the rest of the holidays?" she inquired. Vivian thought for moment.
"Well, I could get you a portkey back to Hogwarts, I think..." she began.
"Yes!" Said Magenta, brightening up considerably.
"Okay, go get packed, and quick!" Magenta didn't need to be asked twice. She darted up to her room and set about putting her things in her trunk, trying to be neat.
Vivian led her niece through the hustle and bustle of the portkey station. Magenta was looking excitedly around at the differing people, ranging form normal witches and wizards to all manner of other types. She kept up with Vivian despite her fascination, staying close behind her aunt.
I cannot believe they are making me do this! And at Christmas no less. Good God... thought Vivian as she trudged though the crowd. She had wanted to spend the holidays with magenta, a nice, bright holiday with her long-time companion. Magenta had been with her for so long, and Vivian was taking this sudden long-term separation hard. Back at Moor Castle, Magenta had come home more often. Now, she was gone for almost eleven months straight, and the few days they had together had been interrupted, So Vivian was almost livid.
They reached the desk where the portkeys to Kings Cross were handed out. Vivian had contacted Dumbledore and arranged for transportation to Hogwarts from there.
"Well, Maggie, I guess this is it." she said, biting back tears as she had when she had seen Magenta off the first time on the train. She pulled a box out of her pocket, it was plain and white, with her name on it. Magenta took it and slowly pulled the lid off, revealing a ring.
"Maggie, this was your grandmother's, my mother's. It's been handed down through generations of Coldren's. That's amber and topaz. Now, magenta, we don't wear this on our fingers, we put it on a chain. And... I completely forgot to get you one!" she sighed exasperated.
"I've already got one!" Exclaimed Magenta excitedly. She tugged at something about her neck and pulled out a silver chain. She had bought it at Maria's Jewellery in Crook Street on the second day of Holidays. Hanging from her chain was a piece of star shaped Charoite with an 'M' on it.
She unhooked the chain and slid the ring onto it carefully, then tucked it back under her shirt.
"Don't loose it, okay?"
"I promise I won't."
Vivian hugged Magenta then handed her the portkey, and good thing she did, because as soon as Magenta had it, she was gone.
Magenta felt a tug below her stomach and was instantly sent through a swirling mass of blurred colours. For what seemed like a long time, she couldn't think, breathe or do anything at all but rush forward.
"Ouch!" she yelped as she landed on the hard, white floor. She was in the International Portkey Station under Kings Cross Station. She looked around for the exit and spotted, it. She wove her way through a group of Latvian tourists and up the stairs then out to the main station.
It was just as busy as it had been on her first day here, brimming with people. She pushed through the crowd and made her way to platform 9 1/3 where she was instructed to go.
She leaned on the solid barrier and sunk through. On the other side, there was the headmaster, dressed in robes of red and green. He smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling as usual.
"Happy Christmas, Miss Coldren. I take it you are ready to return to the Castle?" he asked when she reached him, her suitcase dragging behind her.
She nodded. "Yes, Professor... Um, how are we getting there?" she asked, looking around.
"You are going on the Knight Bus, I'm afraid I cannot accompany you back to Hogwarts, as I have business in Diagon Alley, Im sure you've heard of it." he explained. Magenta nodded, she had.
"Um, Professor, where exactly do you catch the Knight Bus? Is there a stop nearby?" she asked. Dumbledore smiled.
"Stick out your right hand." he said. She did as told. There was a faint motor sound, and then, with a loud bang, a huge, double-decker purple bus appeared before her, the Words "The Knight Bus" embellished in gold on the side. A tall, lanky youth wearing a shabby footman's uniform stood on the back, hold onto a pole.
He stepped down and walked up to Dumbledore, shaking his hand vigorously.
"Mr. Dumbledore, sir, Stan Shunpike, at yer service, 'ow can I be helpin' ya? He asked eagerly, glancing at Magenta.
"Actually, Mr. Shunpike, I had hoped you would be able to return a student to Hogwarts, this is Magenta Coldren." he said, introducing her. Stan grinned, showing several missing and crooked teeth. She smiled back as Stan quickly pulled her luggage onto the bus, and beckoned her to follow him.
Fifteen minutes later, a very dizzy and slightly deafened Magenta ambled through the castle up to Gryffindor common room. It was late now, about 11. As she entered through the portrait whole, she was glad to find the entire place deserted.
She yawned and quietly went up to the girls dorm and went to bed, the aspect of tomorrow letting her sleep soundly.
"Magenta, when did you get here! Wake up, it's Christmas!" exclaimed an ecstatic Cassandra in Magenta's ear. She was grinning, apparently excited about the holiday. Magenta shot out of bed and was surprised to see a pile of presents on her trunk.
She almost dove into them. The first she pulled out was form Allie. It was a shirt, black with pink lining and a cute belt with the Gryffindor crest. She smiled. Allie had a great fashion sense.
The nest was a potion from Cassandra. Magenta stared for a moment before Cass elaborated.
"When you drink it, you can change your hair colour at will." she said, smiling. Magenta's eyes lit up. She immediately drank it all in one gulp, and by the end of the day, she had tried eighteen different colours.
The nest was from her dad. It was a check for 30 galleons. He had apparently found out about her attending Hogwarts. Nice to see he noticed, bet Aunt Viv told him. she thought wryly.
She also received a bag of Chocolate frogs from Harry and Berty Botts Every Flavour Beans from Ron. Angelina, Katie, and Alicia, along with Fred and George, had gotten her a few books. Oliver, as a gift, had gotten her a new crest for her Quidditch robes; it was the standard Gryffindor, with pink instead of red. She giggled a bit.
She and Cass went to late breakfast and ate quickly. When they got back, Magenta saw Daniel in the Common Room and hurried upstairs to get his present. When she returned, she had a round package on her hands.
She dribbled it on her knees for a moment. "Hey, Dan, catch!" she called. She shifted the ball to her foot and kicked it to him across the room. He caught it, tore off the wrapping paper, and looked up at her.
"A soccer ball?" he inquired. She nodded.
"Thought you might have played once of twice. Have you?" He nodded. "You any good?"
"I like to think so. You?"
"MVP, on the neighbourhood team, that is no uniforms, but still fun. But, you know, I wouldn't say it if I wasn't good." she boasted. He smiled.
"Is that a challenge, Magenta?"
"Only if you take it as one."
"You're on. Come spring, you're going down!" he said, smiling, then, his face fell. "I don't have anything to give you."
"No prob. It'll be enough of a present when you loose in spring." she said.
"Well, then, you'll have to go present-less, because I will be the winner." he said.
Magenta shook her head, chuckling.
Magenta spent the day with Cassandra and Daniel, roaming the school and just hanging around until dinner.
Down in the Great Hall, it was amazing how beautiful it all was. There were twelve Christmas trees lining the walls, and the decorations were magnificent. The feast was great. Lots of food, turkey, mashed potatoes, and lots of other goodies.
She was busy in a burping contest with the twins and Daniel when they were ushered back up to their rooms by the teachers.
"Good night, Cassandra." whispered Magenta.
"Good night, Magenta." she replied.
Magenta drifted of to sleep, her newly purple hair shining in the moonlight. Today had been great, and Magenta smiled gently to herself as she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 94: Alondra BrachoThe Bracho household was quite a site on Christmas morning. It was illuminated by the soft glow of a hazy sunshine outside, white fluffy snow covered all of the classically styled houses, and the Christmas lights glowed happily.
Paloma Bracho was busy in the kitchen, making Christmas galletas-cookies-, egg nogg, and hot chocolate. Her soft caramel eyes glistened with joy as she turned to the fork shaped clock on her kitchen wall.
"7 AM! Damion, are the children up yet? Is Francesca here?" she called as she untied her Christmas designed apron and hung it back in it's rightful place. Paloma straightened out her Christmas outfit and went to gather the treats she'd made to pile onto a platter to take into the living room.
It was amazing how much Alondra resembled her mother. They both had the same dreamy caramel colored eyes, the same dazzling smile, and melodic laughter. Alondra adored her mother, and hoped to be as kind, loving, and beautiful like her when she grew up. A soft smile spread over Alondra's delicate features as she admired her mother, bustling around in the kitchen for last minute arrangements.
Paloma wore a loosened burgundy v-neck long sleeved blouse, black slacks, and high heeled black boots. Her rich brown curls sprawled gracefully about her shoulders.
"Damion!"
"It's fine, mama. Jason, Ethan, and I are up and ready to open our presents. I just came in here to see if you needed any help taking some of these out there," Alondra said smiling happily to her stunning mother. Paloma spun around and smiled lovingly at her only daughter.
"Thank you, mija. Oh, sweetie, you look muy linda! Spin around for me," Paloma replied smiling proudly at Alondra. Alondra beamed and twirled happily for her mother.
Alondra had curled her now dark locks, her hair resembling her mother's greatly. She was dressed in a silk ivory long bell sleeved blouse and an above the knee pleated black skirt with black stockings and dress shoes. Her cheeks had a natural rosy glow to them, and she had applied a clear pink layer of lip gloss to her lips. Paloma went and hugged her daughter closely.
"Oh, Feliz Navidad, mija!" Paloma told her softly, and Alondra buried her face in her mother's soft hair and breathed in her signature rose scent.
"Merry Christmas, mama! Mmmmmm! It all smells so yummy in here. Is this for after the opening of presents or before? Please say before!" Alondra requested taking in a deep breath of the 'galletas' by the egg nogg.
Paloma laughed softly. "I'm afraid until after, sweetie. But you can have one now, just don't tell your father or brother, ok? I'll have one with you," Paloma then suggested playfully.
They each took a warm cookie and ate it happily. They were delicious, and Alondra was beaming happily.
"Paloma, Alondra! Francesca is here, we want to open some gifts now!" Damion's deep voice called from the living room.
Alondra hurried out to the living room, she hadn't seen Francesca for months. The enormous and full evergreen Christmas Tree stood proudly adorned with different colored bulbs, a great bright star shimmered from a top it. The tree looked majestic with the stacks of presents around the bottom.
Alondra noticed her father, Damion, and brother, Jason, talking animatedly to one another. Both father and son dressed almost the same. Black slacks, dress shoes, and high collar long sleeved shirts. Damion's in burgundy, and Jason's in emerald green.
Finally Alondra spotted Francesca seated by the tree with little Ethan in her arms. She wore a simple but elegant long sleeved form fitting black dress with black stiletto heels. Her shoulder length ashy blonde hair had been cut to her ear lobes and trendily styled.
Little Ethan wore grey slacks, a white long sleeved shirt and matching grey vest. He kept gurgling happily at Francesca's funny faces. Alondra breathed in deep and smiled happily admiring the warm scene before her. She felt so thrilled to be home.
"Alondra Persephone Bracho!" Francesca then exclaimed happily as Damion, and Jason turned to her and grinned. Francesca set little Ethan down and went to hug Alondra fiercely. Alondra beamed.
"Francesca Devon Basset! Oh, Frannie, I've missed you so much!"
"And I've missed you as well, Allie! Look at you, you're even prettier than the last time I saw you! Your hair, oh angel girl, it suits you so well and it's gotten longer! Gosh, Jason, your older brother role will not get any easier as this doll gets older," Francesca said proudly, playing with a dark lock of Alondra's hair.
Jason laughed and walked over to them, he pinched Alondra's cheek playfully and wrapped his arm around Francesca's small waist. "Don't I know it. I'm telling you, she's gonna be quite the heartbreaker. Just like her older brother,"
Alondra and Francesca looked to one another and laughed.
"Whatever you say, Jas." Alondra replied.
"You're so full of yourself, hun!" Francesca smiled and kissed Jason tenderly on his cheek. Jason grinned.
"Come on you three, Ethan's getting restless he wants to tear some gifts open," Damion called to them.
And so the process of tearing open paper wrapping, opening boxes, taking pictures, and laughing into the video camera, began.
Alondra looked to all her presents happily. Francesca was fastening the tiny clasp of Magenta's gift necklace around Alondra's delicate throat.
"I wonder what this stone is. Do you know, Frannie?"
"It's a rose quartz. Allie, it's a wonderful stone. And not to mention, fits your personality perfectly! Your friend Magenta is a smart girl,"
"Well, that I know. Magenta's brilliant, but what do you mean by 'fits my personality well', Frannie?" Alondra asked confused and held the heart shaped pendant in her hand thoughtfully.
"A Rose Quartz is said to heal psychic wounds of the heart and gives tenderness, softness and openness to our feelings." Francesca replied while Alondra flinched slightly and then nodded for her to go on. " It's used for defensive magic, for it sends negativity back to the original sender. It's also carried for healing and health and worn by young women to promote beauty and grace. Basically a Rose quartz is used to stimulate love, to open the heart, and used for promoting peace and in fidelity in a lasting relationship."
Alondra pondered Francesca's words and took in a deep breath, her dark caramel eyes staring off into space with their trademark haunted look to them.
"What an amazing stone, then. Magenta really didn't have to go to all this trouble for me," Alondra murmured to herself as Jason walked over to her with the video camera in his hand. Alondra blinked and turned smiling brightly and waving into the camera at Jason.
"All right, Allie, let's see those gifts!" Jason requested, smiling sweetly at his younger sister.
Alondra giggled and nodded happily. She held out her heart shaped Rose quartz pendant.
"This gift is from Magenta, isn't it lovely? Thanks so much, Maggie! Oh, and this radio is from Cassandra, it receives the WWN which is the Wizard Wireless Network. Now I can carry the music from the magical world everywhere with me, I love it, Cassie! This book right here, " A Keeper's Guide" was given to me from Harry. I'm flattered he'd think of me a Quidditch girl especially a Keeper! This box here, full of chocolate frogs and other goodies are from Ron. He knows I have a very good sweet tooth, " Alondra laughed and then went to show off the rest of the gifts her friends had mailed to her.
"This other book is from Hermione and is on the art of potion making...maybe I'll pass Snape's class with a decent mark next semester. Oh, and this beautiful diary is a gift from Oliver! See, the picture right there, it's a picture of the Quidditch pitch and all these people waving at us are the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Oliver's right...there, and then there's Katie, Fred, George, Angelina, Alicia and the reserves Daniel and Magenta!" Jason zoomed in on the enchanted picture and looked thrilled at the waving kids on it.
"And Katie gave me this framed picture of us sitting in the common room with Oliver. See, Oliver's sitting between the both of us. We tease him so much and he tolerates it, it's great! Like right there we were teasing him about being Gryffindor's 'Heartthrob'...see how red he is. Katie is like my older sister at Hogwarts and Oliver is my older brother, so you can imagine what a ruckus it is when we get together. Actually before my hair darkened, Oliver used to say Katie and I looked like sisters," Alondra piped up and frowned slightly looking at the enchanted photo mistily, reminiscing over her golden locks now so dark.
"Well, you look beautiful with any hair colour, angel girl!" Jason said to her heartedly and smiled. Alondra looked to him and smiled as well.
"Thanks bro! Um, let's see...Ah! This gift is from Fred and George...I'll open it later in private...it might just blow up in my face," Alondra giggled to herself, and Jason looked to her oddly. Alondra picked up the next gift and a soft crimson blush invaded her face. "This gift is from Cedric...they're bangle bracelets, aren't they lovely? He knows I love white gold for jewellery and shiny crystals," Alondra said shyly and slipped them on her arm happily. They made a twinkling noise when she waved her arm about.
"Oh, they're gorgeous, Allie! Not to mention, he has great taste in jewellery," Francesca piped up and Alondra giggled. Jason huffed and rolled his eyes, in a very protective older brother manner.
"Yea, yea,...Cedric's gift is just peachy keen, can you please get to the gifts WE got for you?" Jason asked impatiently giddy.
"Oh! Right here, look at this lovely outfit mama and papa gave me! In ivory of course, my favourite colour! And these new shoes and barrettes for my hair, really mama and papa spoil me...Thank you! And look, this handbag is from Francesca, with a new tube of lip gloss, thank you Frannie! Oh and finally, is this beautiful doll and album from you, Jas!" Alondra told him happily and Jason chuckled smugly. Alondra smirked and rolled her eyes and Francesca laughed.
Jason then turned and went over to his parents who were sharing a special romantic moment by the mistelle toe.
"Woohoo! Go 'rents, you sly little devils you!" Jason teased and Paloma and Damion turned to him blushing profusely and looking to him playfully annoyed.
Alondra laughed happily and Francesca grinned and went over to share a special moment with Jason as he put the camera down for a while. Alondra sighed and then noticed a gurgling little Ethan run to her at full speed with his arms spread wide.
"Awonda!"
"Ethan! Oh, there's my little brother, you look SO cute today...like such a big boy!" Alondra cooed her younger sibling, Ethan wrapped his arms around her neck happily and kicked his little legs happily. Alondra held him tightly, she then proceeded to tickle his stomach causing Ethan to chuckle playfully. They were interrupted by the door bell ringing, and Alondra found herself automatically putting little Ethan down and going to answer the door.
"Mrs. Stirling!"
"Hello, Alondra," Sebastian's mother greeted her warmly.
"Please, come in!" Alondra said surprised and yet delighted to see her. Diana smiled softly.
"Actually, I was hoping you could step onto the porch with me, sweetie. Just for a few minutes,"
Alondra smiled brilliantly and nodded. Diana Stirling was truly an angel. Always so kind and lovely. Like right then she was wearing a burgundy skirt business suit and matching burgundy trench coat. Her fiery red hair pulled up and away from her face, in long curled tendrils falling down her back. Her dark green eyes, sparkled kindly.
Alondra took a hold of her woollen cashmere ivory pea coat and ivory scarf. She wrapped them around her snugly and went to sit on the porch swing with Diana.
"Alondra, darling, I know that you and Sebastian are not speaking to one another right now-"
"Mrs. Stirling, honestly the thing you have to know about that is-"
"No, Alondra," Diana interrupted her softly and smiled. "You don't have to explain anything to me. I know all about the hurtful things Sebastian said to you, and all about how your hair darkened because of it, "
Alondra frowned and nodded slowly, she pulled a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. Diana patted her shoulder lightly and comfortingly.
"Let's not dwell on that, shall we? I came here, because I have something for you,"
"For me?" Alondra asked with a delighted expression on her face as she took the scarlet gift wrapped box from Diana.
"Open it,"
Alondra lifted the top off of the gift box and removed the patty paper. She gasped and took the scarlet jewellery box out. It had gold lining and hearts engraved on the edges.
"It's beautiful," Alondra murmured mesmerized as opened the lid of the box and the melody of 'Once Upon a Dream' from Sleeping Beauty filled her ears. The jewellery box was scarlet velvet inside, and in the middle of the inside was a doll with a delicate porcelain face and a long ruffled pastel pink gown, and she twirled angelically to the music.
What suddenly made Alondra gasp was the doll's hair. Her hair had been styled in a classy updo so that one thick lock fell over her shoulder, curling tastefully at the top of the gown's bodice. The hair had been enchanted to go from a spun gold colour to a rich mahogany brown.
"Oh, Mrs. Stirling! I love it! Thank you so much!" Alondra exclaimed merrily and holding her gift to her chest, hugged Diana gratefully. Diana returned her hug warmly and smiled softly.
"I'm so glad you love it, sweetie. But I have to confess that the gift is not from me nor my husband. I am merely a messenger! Read the card,"
Alondra furrowed her dark brows curiously and went to pick up the small golden colored card and read it to herself.
Persephone,
Even though certain complications forbid us from being the best friends we once were, please know that I will always be on your side! Even if it's from afar. Feliz Navidad!
Sebastian
P.S. I'm sorry for hurting your feelings. I do think dark hair suits you nicely, though. However, please remember that this gift doesn't change anything between us.
Alondra bit down on her lower lip contemplating and then closed the card with shaky hands.
"Oh my," Alondra breathed softly and then hugged the jewellery box closer to her.
Diana frowned and in a soft maternal touch pushed back a dark stray lock behind Alondra's ear. "I know things are very confusing for you right now, Alondra. But please, know that it's for the best! No matter how distanced you and Sebastian can be from one another, you'll always be together in spirit. You have to believe that, it's the power of a friendship as special and as strong as yours,"
Alondra breathed in deep and turned dark haunted eyes to Diana. She smiled softly and nodded.
"Come along, Alondra. Chin up! I have another gift for you, this one is from me, though." Diana piped up warmly and handed Alondra a small square shaped powdered pink box with a white bow. "You have to promise me you'll wait to open it until your quinceañera, however. I know it'll have more meaning to you then,"
"My quince? Oh, but why, Mrs. Stirling? I want to open it now!" Alondra asked giddily.
Diana laughed beautifully and held Alondra's rosy cheek in her delicate hand. "Just wait a little while, Alondra. You'll see why on that day, I promise."
Alondra sighed, but then relented. She gave Diana a dazzling smile and hugged her once again. "Thank you, Mrs. Stirling. I promise I won't open this until my quinceñera...as soon as I awake that day I'm opening it!" She giggled joyfully.
Diana grinned and nodded. "Well, I must be going, sweetie. Alexander will wonder where I went off to. Wish your parents, and brothers a Feliz Navidad for me," She then requested kindly.
Alondra nodded enthusiastically. "I will! Wish Mr. Stirling a very Feliz Navidad from me, please,"
Diana seemed to pale slightly and then nodded slowly pressing her lips together. "I will as well. Thank you, Alondra. Good-bye!"
Diana helped Alondra gather her gifts neatly in her arms and then hugged her one final time and headed down the Bracho porch and out into the snowy distance.
Alondra sighed contently and headed into her warm lively home feeling as bubbly and as free-spirited as ever. She removed her coat and scarf and hanged them up where they belonged. She then placed her gifts on the coat table pondering on the gifts, the card from Sebastian, Diana's words, but most of all the curious expression on Diana's face at the mention of Alexander Stirling.
"Alondra! Get in here, the galletas are almost gone!" Jason suddenly yelled from inside the living room.
Blinking away her daze, Alondra beamed. "I'm coming!" She smiled brilliantly into the hall mirror and winked at her reflection playfully. "Sebastian still cares for me. And I know that in a way, he always will!"
With that happy realization she glided away into the living room and into the arms of her loving family, content with the world.
Chapter 95: Sebastian Stirling"Top of the morning to you all!" Boomed the voice of the radio man from Sebastian's alarm clock. "Happy Christmas! All you young lads and lassies best be gettin' up and see what jolly Ol' Saint Nick brought for ya. Let's start the morning with a little romance..."
The snow is falling, the city is white
Your eyes are shining like diamonds tonight
And we're all alone
There's no one home
You're finally in my arms again
The night is silent
and Christmas is here
I couldn't ask for more than having you near
Cuz I love you girl,
I always will
And now I know the moment is right
Cuz I've been waiting to give this gift tonight
Im' down on my knees, there's no better time
It's something to last for as long as you live
Tonight I'm going to give you all my heart can give"
Sebastian shut off his alarm annoyed. 'That bloody song! Bunch of mush,' He sat up in bed and stretched lazily, he was about to curse the arrival of Christmas morning when a letter fell into his lap.
'Time to rise, son.' The outer ledge of the envelope read in loopy and elegant writing. Sebastian felt a smile tug at the corner of his mouth.
"Mum?" he questioned aloud to himself as he was about to rip open the envelope, but the letter ripped open itself. The card unfolded in the air and his mother's soft voice greeted him.
"Merry Christmas, poppet!
I'm so terribly sad that you're not home with me right now. Believe me, I had a fall out with your father over his absurd decision to keep you at Hogwarts over the holidays. Chin up though, poppet. I took the liberty and joy to get you everything on your Christmas list. I know these gifts hardly compensate for your father's rude behaviour,"
At this point there was a pause and his mother's voice cracked with emotion.
"Forgive him, my sweet boy. He thinks he's doing what is best for you. He loves you, truly he does. Also please forgive me, love, for not being strong enough to oppose his rules. Well, let's not dwell on the sadness, shall we? It's Christmas! Go on, poppet, open your presents. You'll find that among our gifts are gifts from your nannies, the Malfoys, and the Brachos.
You're a lucky boy, Sebastian. So many people love you, but no one loves you more than me. I love you so much, my sweet. Write to me soon."
Diana's angelic voice then began to sing a note from 'Winter Wonderland' and with a kiss, the card folded up again and fell onto Sebastian's bed.
He hastily picked up the card and hugged it closely to him as silent tears trailed down his face. He loved his mother dearly. She was an angel, an angel sadly captive at the hands of an unkind keeper-his father.
He got to his feet and placed the card proudly on his nightstand table. He rushed into the shower, then dressed in his usual attire-slacks, a button down, and an emerald green jacket. He ran quick fingers through his wet hair and rushed to his bedside at the tower of presents before him.
One in particular present stood out, however. It wasn't wrapped and it simply had a large gold bow on it. A broom?
"Great. Me doing housework?"
He read the small card by the handle,
-Sebastian,
Now that you will have a whole 2 weeks to yourself to ponder on your behaviour; I suggest you practice your flying. I want you to try out for the Slytherin Quidditch team, next year with Draco. He's been practicing for the Seeker position, but I've always envisioned you to follow in my footsteps as a Beater. Don't mess this up, make me proud son.
Father.
P.S. Happy Christmas.-
Sebastian threw the card aside and threw the broom on the floor, eyeing it. He noticed it was a Nimbus 2000, like the broom Harry Potter owned. He stepped beside it and extended his arm over it.
"Up!"
The broom slammed into his hand without hesitance. Sebastian held it firmly and mounted it. A small smile came to him as he floated in the air almost bumping his head on the ceiling. He looked down at the rest of his presents. They could wait, he figured, as he gripped the broom naturally and laughed.
"I believe this is one order I'd be more than happy to oblige to, father."
With that he hovered on the broom's handle and flew a few laps around his room happily.
Chapter 96: Holly EthersHolly kissed Grandmamma on the cheek.
"Nite, Grandmamma. Happy Christmas. Love ya."
Grandmamma chuckled. "You and your lovings. Happy Christmas, my little Lioness."
"Stop calling her that!" her father looked up from his work. Holly looked down. They were about to get into one of their fights.
"She's a lioness and I will call her that."
"She is not a lion! She's an Ethers!" Father hissed, starting to turn even whiter then his skin was already.
"Then why is she in Gryffindor?" asked Grandmamma, standing up.
"Dumbledore had a hand in it, I know it!" Father said, raising himself so he could tower over her. "He did this just so she wouldn't grow up with proper people, other Slytherin's!"
"Gryffindor's are proper people!" Holly burst out. Her father turned to look at her.
"You're to young to understand." Father said evenly.
"No, I'm not! Just because you want me to make friends with Slytherin's and I'm not and I'm making friends with Gryffindor doesn't mean..."
Father cut her off. "Do you have friends in Gryffindor? Because I would be very interested to hear about them" Father said, smirking. "No? Well then, I will talk to my friends who have children your age at Hogwarts, and have them meet with you," Father continued when Holly said nothing.
"No, Father I will not."
"Yes, Father." Her father said forcefully. Holly glared at him.
"I told you she's a lioness." Grandmamma commented.
"Get out of here, old bat!" Father yelled.
Grandmamma shook her head. "I could say the same thing to you." She said, taking Holly's hand and leading her out of the room. "Lets go, Lioness." Grandmamma added as she walked out. Holly heard a shatter of glass as her father threw something at the wall.
"Grandmamma, you shouldn't anger Father like that." Holly said as they walked back to her room.
Grandmamma laughed. "Holly, my girl, I got stuck here when your mother died. My time here is coming to a close, I can feel it in my bones, and I will be a huge thorn in his side before I die!" Her Grandmamma said savagely.
"Grandmamma, I know Father doesn't love me but-" Holly began, but Grandmamma stopped her.
"Holly, I love you and I always will. Your mother adored you."
"Why did Mum marry Father?" Holly asked, looking in Grandmamma's face.
Grandmamma sighed. "She was love-struck Holly. She didn't know what your father really was until later. Until…well, I can't tell you. But Listen to me Holly. You are a Lioness. Nothing your father says or does changes that. But Adrian is dangerous, Holly, remember that. Or rather who he works for. Never give into what your father says, Holly. Run away if you have to, just don't give in." Her grandmother said, making Holly look in her face.
""But who will help me, if you're not here?"
"I'll help you Holly, I'll always help you. In more ways then you think." Grandmamma replied, opening the door to Holly's room.
"Grandmamma?" Holly said, before her grandmother closed the door.
"Yes?" She asked, pausing.
"I love you, Grandmamma." Holly said, standing on tiptoe to kiss her cheek.
Grandmamma smiled. "I love you too, my little Lioness."
Chapter 97: Daniel SmithRon and Harry were sound sleepers. So, when Daniel went tearing through the dorm at 4:45 in the morning, finally racing out wearing only his pyjamas, shoes, and school robe, neither one of them even stirred.
He pounded down the hallway. He was late. His alarm had not gone off. Of course, he had not set it, but in his groggy state of mind (he had just woken up, after all), he had forgotten that. He was hit by a blast of confetti as he entered the common room, and happened to notice that the fire was burning red. Undeterred, he raced to the Fat Lady's portrait, then skidded to a stop. The confetti and red flames had caused him to remember what day it was.
It was Christmas. He was off detention for three days, including this one. Chonker was not expecting him. He would not tell McGonagall that he wasn't there. He would not get sent back to Morning Sun. Gasping with relief, he turned... and gasped again.
Fred, George, and Cassandra were there. And George and Cassandra were cuddled together under a blanket.
All three of them were stirring; Daniel's warp-speed passage through the room had not been silent. Cass, seeing him there, suddenly turned red. "Dan, what are you doing up so early?"
"Going back to bed," Daniel said.
"You won't tell anyone, will you?" Cass indicated George. "Please?"
"I won't," Daniel assured her. "But you might want to get back to bed before everyone else wakes up."
"Right," Cassandra said. She and the three boys headed quickly for their respective beds.
Daniel was reawakened a few hours later by a conversation between Ron and Harry: "Good morning, Harry," Ron said. As Daniel sat up, he noticed that Ron was wearing a knitted sweater with an "R" on it.
"What are you wearing, Ron?" Harry queried as he put on his glasses.
"Oh, my mum made it," Ron said, holding up a squishy-looking package. "Looks like you got one, too."
"I got presents?" Harry said with surprise. Daniel, who had known this was coming, smiled sleepily.
"Yeah," Ron replied. "There's stuff here for you and Dan both. Is he awake yet?"
Daniel popped up so quickly that his sleep tousled mop of hair fell down over his face. "He's awake," Harry said.
The two boys tackled their presents. Harry received, sure enough, a lovely dark green sweater, obviously hand-knitted, from Mrs. Weasley, and the best present of all. It looked like a simple silver cloak, but it was actually a much rarer and more valuable item: if you wrapped yourself in it, you were invisible, at least to the human eye. "Wow," Daniel said, very impressed. "Who's that from?"
Harry handed him the note that had come with the cloak. "So this was your dad's?"
"I guess," Harry said. "I don't recognize the handwriting."
"It was an adult, because they knew your father," Daniel said. "But not a teacher. At least, not one we have. But there's no Owl Post mark, so it came from within the castle."
"Not necessarily," Ron said. "Lots of people have their own owls."
"True, but check out the wrapping paper," Daniel reminded him. "It's pretty flimsy. If I was sending a package by owl, I'd wrap it more securely." He indicated the thick brown paper that the other owl-delivered parcels were wrapped in.
Daniel didn't receive anything as extravagant as an Inviso Cloak (which technically wasn't really a present, since it was Harry's by rights anyway), but it was more than he could have hoped for. His bundle of carefully wrapped packages consisted of a new pair of blue jeans, two polo shirts with Quidditch teams' logos on them, and a startlingly red sweatshirt that would block out nearly any chill. An envelope accompanied it all, containing a letter:
Dear Daniel,
I am Diana Serenity, your friend Cassandra's grandmother. She and I have frequently corresponded, and she alerted me that you had very little to wear other than your school uniforms. I know that Cassandra greatly appreciates your friendship, and I want you to know that I appreciate you as well. I hope that these items make your first Hogwarts Christmas a little happier.
Regards,
Diana Serenity.
"They made it more than just a little happier," Daniel said to himself, discreetly brushing at an annoying wetness at the corner of his eye.
There was another package there as well. He opened it to reveal a large oval board that looked like a Quidditch pitch, plus a small box that contained fifteen miniature people on broomsticks, two teams and a referee, and models of all four balls. It also had a note, this one in a familiar hand:
Merry Christmas, Daniel.
I hope you like your gift. I thought it was quite suitable for you, since now you're a reserve player. Congrats again for that, and I hope this comes in handy for you. Maybe you could help Oliver with some plays. See you after the Holidays.
Love from,
Alondra
"This is cool," Daniel said. "Uh. . . what is it?"
"It's a Quidditch board set," Ron explained. "Here, watch what we can do with it." He set up the players, then levelled his wand at them. "Show me the Wronski Feint."
The tip of Ron's wand glowed a soft blue, indicating that it was discharging power. The minuscule players came to flying life, chasing the balls. The two Seekers shot downward, even though neither was near the Snitch. One pulled up at the last second, and the other went smashing into the turf and lay in a sprawl on the ground. "Whoa! That's so cool!" Daniel said in amazement. He drew his own wand. "Show me..." he grinned. "Show me the Falmouth Charge."
After they had gone through a couple dozen more plays, they got dressed and made their way to the Common Room, Daniel dressed in his new finery. As the three boys reached the entrance to the cosy chamber, their eyes nearly popped out of his head. A shower of glittery confetti rained down on their heads, and colourful sparkling banners and garland winked at him from every direction. The fire, amazingly, was cycling from red to green and back. Fred, George, and Cass were standing in the middle of the room, receiving adulation from all quarters. And, happily, there was a plateful of treats on the table.
Someone else Daniel knew was also there. "Magenta!" he said, running over to her. "I thought you went home."
"I did, but there was a change of plans," Magenta explained. "I just got back yesterday, so that's why you didn't see me. Don't go away." She raced back up to the girls' dorms, returning with a round package, which she booted around, then kicked over to him. "Hey, Dan! Catch!"
Daniel opened it, wondering why she had treated his present in this matter, but the mystery was solved once the paper was off, revealing... "A soccer ball?"
"Thought you might have played once of twice. Have you?"
Daniel nodded. He had played a couple seasons in a youth soccer league at his last happy home, and still remembered it fondly.
Magenta smiled at the news. "You any good?"
"I like to think so," Daniel said. He'd always been one of the smallest boys on the team, but he was a good ball-handler and had a truckload of stamina, which was why he had typically played center halfback: that was the one position that had to cover pretty much the whole field. "You?"
"MVP, on the neighbourhood team, that is no uniforms, but still fun. But, you know, I wouldn't say it if I wasn't good." she boasted. He smiled.
Daniel twirled the ball on his finger. "Is that a challenge, Magenta?"
"Only if you take it as one."
The two agreed to test out their skills on the grounds, or on the pitch maybe, come spring. Daniel made a mental note to talk to Dean Thomas. A huge soccer fan, he could undoubtedly give Daniel a few pointers.
"This is from me," Cassandra added, presenting him with a lumpy package. He opened it, revealing a sort of leather strap-on thing. "It's a wand holster for your wrist," she said. "It'll let you get your wand into action that much faster."
Daniel tried it on. It took some figuring out, but it was a good fit. Wearing it was awkward at first, because his arm was so short, but it allowed him to pull his wand far faster than reaching into his pocket. "I like it."
By the time they got out of the common room, it was already lunchtime, but the table was mostly decorated with breakfast foods. The house-elves understood that few students were going to make it to breakfast on Christmas morning, so they saved the food and simply made it a brunch. Daniel was as hungry as a wolf, like always. Halfway through his second plate of food, he noticed an owl heading his way. As it flew over him, it delivered its payload with the usual unerring accuracy. A brightly wrapped parcel fell into his lap. He opened it, revealing a package of chocolate frogs. Included was a note, which he read.
Dear Daniel,
I realise that a Christmas present from me is least expected, but I just wanted to say thank you for not treating me like the rest of the Slytherin's during our early morning exercise. I hope that you are okay and have not been turned off by the weather, as I haven't seen you in a few days.
I just wanted to let you know that I understand what you are going through, my parents disowned me when I was sorted into Slytherin, so I am just learning what it means to be on your own, and I wanted to show you that as much as you may think you are, you are not alone...
I have changed places to jog; I have taken over the great hall first thing of a morning, as soon as you can get back, I'd be glad to see you...
I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.
Love,
Ray Jones
"Wow," said Cassandra. "Who's that from?"
"It's from Rachel, the girl I used to work out with," Daniel replied. He didn't have to explain why he wasn't, of course, they all knew about his detention.
"The one in Slytherin?" Magenta wanted to know.
Daniel gave her a warning look. "Yes. That one." He idly wondered how many Slytherin's truly had turned out bad, and how many just went bad because everyone else expected them to.
Magenta took the hint. "Oh. That was nice of her."
After lunch, as the rest of the group headed back up to Gryffindor to kick back and enjoy the presents some more, Daniel made a quick detour to the Slytherin table, where Ray was finishing up her lunch, and sitting alone as always. "Hi, Ray," he said. "Uh... just wanted to say thanks for the frogs."
"Oh, don't mention it," Ray replied. "I haven't seen you in the mornings lately. Have you been working out?"
"Something like that." Daniel explained what had happened earlier in the month, and the consequences.
Ray nodded lowly. "Oh. I heard that some students went into the west wing, but I heard that they were all expelled."
"No one was expelled, but I came pretty damn close," Daniel said. "When McGonagall asked for my wand, I thought I'd had it." The memory still made him shudder.
"Well, I'm glad you're still around," Ray said. "And I know I'm not the only one." She looked at her watch. "Guess I'd better get going."
"Me too." Daniel headed out of the hall to return to Gryffindor. Walking along, he was certain that he was the luckiest person on the face of the earth. He had rediscovered nearly every joy of Christmas he had thought was lost forever. He still missed having a family, but having friends was pretty darn good too.
Chapter 98: Cassandra SerenityChristmas day had started out with a rather embarrassing moment for Cassandra. She, George and Fred has spent so much time and energy last night planning and implementing their surprises for their fellow Gryffindor's that they had had little energy left to climb the stairs and retreat back to their dorm rooms before falling asleep that night. Instead they had taken a moment to rest by the fire and fallen asleep.
Cassandra vaguely remembered looking over at the two boys before closing her eyes for a brief moment. The next thing she saw was Daniel waking her with a very amused look on his face. Fluttering her eyes open Cassandra found the bright fire light of the common room harsh at first. However, the first sight she saw after Daniel was by far the most bracing. There wrapped in the same blanket as her was George Weasley, his head still resting on the couch arm just as she remembered from the night before.
The sight made Cassandra nearly jump up off the couch, a deep red flush coming over her all at once. At the same time her stomach was doing funny flip-flops as she looked down at her sleeping friend. Daniel was very respectful of the whole situation and promised not to tell anyone else about it. A wave of relief washed over Cassandra as she thought of what Magenta and Alondra would have said if they had seen the same thing.
Cassandra returned to their dorm room to find a large pile of presents waiting for her at the end of her bed. Before opening them though, Cassandra padded over to Magenta's bed and woke her sleeping friend. As a child opening presents had been one of Cassandra's favourite things. The idea of ripping through paper and finding a hidden treasure waiting for her was just too much. Even though she had grown some and now didn't tear at the paper like a wild dog, she still enjoyed the feeling of finding something hidden as she opened her presents.
Her first present was from her grandmum, a new dress which Cassandra decided to wear for the rest of the day. Next, was a present from her mother, Cassandra knew that her grandmum had really bought it and merely put her mothers name on it, but still the thought of her mother made Cassandra both happy and sad. Opening the present she found an old spell book on charms. That had been her mother's best subject as well.
Cassandra's cousin Ray had also sent her a present. This was something that made Cass stop and think. It was a snow globe like any you might see really. It was made to be a sunny beach somewhere with glitter, water, sand, and lots of people, but for some odd reason the people were wearing what Cassandra thought were Santa hats. Underneath, on the wood base was a small plaque, which read 'Christmas in Australia on a scorching hot Summer Day'.
With family out of the way Cassandra was overjoyed to see that she still quite the pile. Alondra had sent a beautifully wrapped present in royal blue with a silver bow. Inside Cassandra found several things, a dream journal, another book this one on general magic, an enchanted white gold charm bracelet with several charms on it, and phoenix pendant. The charm bracelet held Cassandra's attention for some time as she picked out each charm, there was a book, the letter 'C', a potions bottle, a wand, a feather, a cauldron, and a small phoenix.
A present wrapped in bright red with a gold bow was next, this was from Magenta. Magenta sat on the bed with Cassandra her eyes fixed on Cass as she opened the present from her. Opening the present Cassandra found a beautiful round necklace made out of some beautiful blue stone that was both light and dark blue in its colour. Engraved in the center of the blue stone was a large letter 'C'. After a questioning look to Magenta the girl had explained that the stone was called azurite and that it was said to be used for divination, dreams, and healing.
Only four more presents remained now. One was from Hermione who had sent Cass a book entitled 'Hogwarts: A History' the note had said it was one of Hermione's favourite books. Ron had sent some fizzing whizbees which were Cassandra's favourite kind of candy. Harry had sent a new quill and parchment set. The quill was blue and the plumage of the feather was light and airy. Cassandra liked the feeling of it as she passed it over her cheek. Finally, the twins had sent her brightly wrapped present in a deep blue, which matched their normal Christmas sweaters. Inside Cassandra found a hand knit sweater, much like the ones that the twins had been wearing the night before. However, it had no letter on the chest as the Weasley sweaters often did. It was a pastel blue in colour and felt soft in her hands as Cassandra held it.
With presents open she and Magenta headed back down to the common room. Now in her new dress Cassandra felt very pretty. The soft blue dress fell to just below her knees and had an empire waist. The skirt moved slightly with every moved Cassandra made and felt like silk even though it was made of two layers. The inner layer was satin while the outer layer was see-thru chiffon. The sleeves where bell shaped and to finish it off there was a small bow in the back where the empire waist was.
Soon Daniel, Harry, Ron, Percy, and the other Gryffindor's staying over the holidays were down stairs in the common room as well. Daniel and Cassandra had saved the twins the embarrassment of letting their brothers know they had spent all night in the company of a girl. The four of them knew all to well the harassment that would come if they let it slip, both for the twins and for Cassandra.
Other than the surprises that the threesome had left for their fellow Gryffindor's, and the one they hadn't intended, Christmas morning was bright and beautiful. Everyone seems overjoyed by the day and was in very high spirits. Harry and Daniel looked as though they could walk on water as they showed off the presents they had received. A great warmth filled Cassandra as she watched Daniel tell everyone about the presents her grandmum has sent him.
Cassandra had, of course, mentioned her friends in the letters she had sent home. Telling her grandmum all about Magenta, Daniel, Alondra, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the twins, their likes, dislikes, and the small facts and observations she had made about each of them. A very obvious observation being that Daniel had very few worldly positions and could do with some new non-school clothes. Of course, her grandmum hadn't said she would be doing anything about that, but that was exactly how her grandmum worked, in the shadows.
These thoughts lead to more thoughts about her family and how she missed them this holiday season. Cassandra questioned whether she was right to stay here instead of going home. In doing so Cassandra felt her heart start to sink, what if she had done the wrong thing by staying here. What were her grandmum and mother doing right now she wondered? Thankfully Cassandra was pulled from her saddening thoughts by Ron's voice.
"Ay, Cassandra" Ron said loudly to get her attention. "You got another present under here" Ron pointed to under the Christmas tree, which was beautifully decorated.
Cassandra had a very puzzled look on her face as she answered, "I do?"
"Yep" was Ron's only remark as he handed Cassandra a very small package wrapped in a gossamer silver wrapping paper.
All eyes were on Cassandra as she stared at the small package. Looking at it she turned it over and over again in her hands searching for a card or note, but finding nothing. Finally after a few remarks of "Open it already" from Ron and the twins, Cassandra slowly unwrapped the package.
Beneath its gossamer wrapping paper was a small white box, inside of that was a smaller black velvet box. Finally Cassandra opened the last box and was taken back as she looked down at a beautiful silver locket. Her hands trembling slightly as she moved them to retrieve the precious gift. Its mirror like surface shinning in the light as the small blue sapphires that adorned it created rainbows around the room.
Everyone seemed transfixed by the small object until finally Daniel spoke up. "Who's it from?" he questioned.
"I.. I don't know" Cassandra replied as she kept her bright blue eyes fixed to the dangling pendent.
Magenta grabbed the package from Cassandra's hand and began to inspect it. Looking it over and over again just as Cassandra had done moments before. Still she could not find the missing card either.
"Maybe it's from a secret admirer?" Fred joked with a wide grin spreading across his face.
Cassandra's eyes shot to Fred with lighting speed, leaving the locket for the first time since seeing it beneath the black velvet case. "What?" she asked a bit breathless, speaking in almost a whisper.
George seemed not to be too keen on Fred's joke either and quickly jabbed his elbow into Fred's ribs. His face was unreadable though, with no emotions showing at all. Only his eyes seemed to move as they watched the locket dangling from Cassandra's hand.
The thought of someone sending her something as beautiful as this locket was beyond Cassandra, but to think that she had a secret admirer was even farther beyond that. Yes she knew she was pretty and she always tried to be kind to others, but what was there to admirer about her? There were far more pretty and interesting girls at Hogwarts than she was.
Giving Fred a bit of a dirty look Magenta walked over to Cassandra and gave her a reassuring smile. Taking the locket from out of Cassandra's hand, this time a lot more gently then she had done with the boxes, Magenta moved behind Cassandra and asked her to lift her hair. Cassandra did as she was told, working on almost automatic pilot. Reaching around Cassandra's slender neck Magenta hung the locket over Cassandra's heart and fastened the claps to the silver chain.
"There" she said as she finished and stepped away from Cassandra.
Looking down Cassandra saw the beautiful silver locket hanging just above her heart, its polished surface reflecting the light like a mirror in all directions. Reaching up with her right hand Cassandra brushed the surface of the locket ever so lightly. With that touch the locket began to make music.
The melody was as beautiful as the locket itself, but Cassandra couldn't place the tune. Looking up at the group around her she questioned them all with her eyes, each shrugging their shoulders as she looked at them. No one seemed to know the melody or who could have sent the locket. With another touch to the locket it went silent, the last note of the melody hanging in the air.
The rest of the day was a bit foggy to Cassandra. She moved through it with her friends sharing in the Christmas spirit and enjoying the day. However, at the same time always a bit removed, her mind focused on the locket she wore around her neck. Who had sent it and why? Why hadn't they sent a note or a message with the locket? These questions kept pulling at Cassandra's conscious mind as the day wore on.
Still she smiled and remembered to give out her gifts to her dear friends, having forgotten to put them out for the house elves to deliver the night before. She had to admit it was a bit more fun handing her friends their gifts and seeing their faces as they opened them then sending the gifts to them through a house elf. Thankfully she had already sent out the presents to people how weren't staying at Hogwarts.
Cassandra had given Magenta a potion which when applied to the hair would change colour at a mere thought. Magenta's eyes lit up when Cassandra explained what the potion did. The bear hug that followed had nearly pushed all of the air out of Cassandra's lungs.
Daniel had received a wand holster to make sure he was always ready for a fight. Heaven knew that he would be getting into more of them and Cassandra wanted to make sure her friend was prepared. He had given her a soft smile and a somewhat awkward hug. He still wasn't ready for a lot of physical attention, but Cassandra knew that as time went on he would open up to it more.
Not really knowing either of them very well yet, but still considering them friends Cassandra had gotten both Harry and Ron presents. For Harry she got a book entitled 'Seeker Secrets' which she thought he could use for Quidditch. Ron was even harder to shop for and Cassandra had settled on a large bag of chocolate frogs and fizzing whizbees.
The twins were another matter all together. She knew them both and had been growing fond of them ever since their first encounter that night in the common room. It had been really hard to think of something to get them, but Cassandra had finally decided on matching shirts, which were enchanted to spell out and blink a new phrase each day. Knowing the two of them Cassandra was a bit afraid of what they would come up for new phrase, but still felt the gift suited them both very well. The twins agreed and quickly put them on, enchanting them to spell out and blink 'Merry Christmas', with Fred's shirt saying 'Merry' and George's shirt saying 'Christmas'.
After presents were exchanged and the treats Cass, Fred, and George had brought up that night were gone it was time for the Christmas feast. The great hall looked much like it had before the holidays with decorations and trees making everything look bright and cheerful. Every house had at least a few students staying over the holidays. It seemed the Gryffindor had by far the most staying though.
The feast was wonderful, with more food then even Ron and Daniel could eat combined. With full tummies all the students left the great hall headed back to their common rooms. It had taken most of the day, but the locket which hung around Cassandra's neck was now beginning to feel like part of her. She still questioned it origins, but decided that to worry about it was too much for now.
Back in the common room people all dispersed to their separate dorm rooms. Cassandra and Magenta fell down on Magenta's bed with heavy sighs after making their way up to their dorm room. There was a moment of blissful silence before the questions started, but only a moment.
Chapter 99: Rachael JonesRay blinked, careful not to move she wondered where she was. The last thing she remembered was sitting in silence with Severus. She blinked again, and looked around, then shook her head. She was still in Severus' quarters. How? Why? Sitting up she looked up at the clock to see the clock on the wall, it read six am, much to early for a school holiday morning.
She stood up and folded the blanket that Severus had covered her with, thinking how nice it was of him to just let her sleep, she quietly snuck over to his bedroom door and peeked in finding that he was still asleep she crept out of his quarters and back to her rooms, to get a change of clothes and to change into her gym clothes. Since it was winter and snowing, she had started jogging around the great hall before the students arrived, it wasn't the best solution, but it helped.
After jogging for an hour, she piled up a plate full of food, for both her and Severus and ventured back to his rooms.
"Severus?" she called in a stage whisper.
"Ray, Good Morning, I trust you slept well?" he replied from his leather armchair, startling her.
"You're awake, good. I brought us breakfast from the great hall if you want some," she replied happily. "Have you been up long?" she asked, whilst setting the food down on the small coffee table, and grabbing a piece of toast before sitting in front of the fire on the ground.
"No, not long, but you didn't answer my question Ray, did you sleep well?" he asked again, smirking.
"Yes, Severus, I slept wonderfully, I'm sorry I fell asleep down here," she said, blushing a little.
"Its not a problem Ray, I don't mind and the headmaster suggested that I allow you to should you need to," he answered.
"Do the house elf's always put on a feast on Christmas morning?" she asked timidly.
"Hmmm, sorry, what was that," asked Severus, who hadn't been paying attention because he was busy staring at the Christmas tree and the pile of presents under it.
"I… I was just wondering about the house elves and the Christmas morning feast. The just seemed to put a lot of effort in for such a small number of people," said Ray.
"Hmmm… yes they always go overboard on Christmas morning, just you wait till you see the Christmas lunch they have prepared. Now Ray, would you like to open some presents?" asked Severus.
"Oh I got you something," she said jumping up and rushing over to the tree and digging out Severus' present. "Here," she said shoving it into his hands before returning to her spot in front of the fire and chewing on her fingernail.
"Ray," Severus said softly, "You didn't need to get me anything," he said before adding "but thank you."
"Can you open it before you thank me?" asked Ray nervously, "You may not like it, if you don't you can always take it back, the man at the shop thought you would like it, but who knows, so just tell me the truth," she said quickly without breath.
Severus chuckled at Ray's nervous energy, what ever she had gotten him; it had certainly gotten her worked up. He looked at the package, it wasn't small, but rather the size of a shoebox, but it was very light, feeling more like an empty box. He peeled back the carefully wrapped box, and had to chuckle to himself when he noted that it was in fact a shoebox.
Lifting the lid off the shoebox, Severus noted that it was filled with potions ingredients all lined up in little glass bottle; the first bottle that he picked up was full of Phionex tears, the next had a bezoar, the next one had Ashwinder eggs, another had Dried Billywig stingers – a rare ingredient from Australia, and so on and so forth, more and more little bottles full of ingredients.
"Ray," Severus choked out, "this… this… its too much, this would have cost you a fortune, you shouldn't be spending your money on me."
"I'm... I'm sorry Severus, I didn't mean to upset you, if you don't like it I'll just take it back," said Ray quickly.
"Ray, I'm sorry, I love the present, I just didn't expect something like this, thank you," he answered softly.
"How about you open your's then?" he asked, summoning a pile of presents from under the tree to in front of Ray.
"They're all for me?" she asked amazed, there were four presents two from Severus, and one each from her cousin Cassandra and her Gran.
"What should I open first?" she asked getting excited for the first time that morning.
"How about this one?" Severus smirked pointing to a very small package.
"Why don't I trust the look on your face Severus?" said Ray cheekily, Severus raised an eyebrow in response.
"Maybe I'll open this one first then?" she said picking up a package that looked rather like a book. "It's from Gran."
Peeling back the paper she found that it was indeed a book, it was a journal, a magical journal. The note from her Grandmother told her that there were several special locking spells, a never-ending spell so that the book wouldn't run out, and a spell that would record every unauthorised entry.
"Wow," she said, amazed at the things that magic could do. She looked at the card on her next present, it was from her cousin Cassandra, peeling the paper off the small present, she found that it was a picture frame, with a picture of what looked to be her grandparents and a much younger version of her father and his sister, her aunt. 'She has given me some family' thought Ray.
Opening the next present she noted that it was the bigger one from Severus, peeling back the wrapping, she noticed that as well was a book, she looked more carefully at the book only to find that it was a photo album, 'Why would Severus give me a photo album,' she thought to herself, 'I don't have anyone to take photos of or anyone to take photos of me?'
Opening the album, she found that it was full of photos, some of her since coming to Hogwarts, some of her doing gymnastics, but the ones that interested her the most were the ones of Severus, from when he was her age and up. Severus had once again given her something of himself. She was shocked to notice that she had tears in her eyes as she got up off the floor and went to give Severus a thank you hug.
"You still have a few to go," he reminded her.
She carefully picked up the small package from Severus, peeling back the wrapping, it was a small velvet box, a jewellery box, opening the small box she found a silver bracelet, it had a fine Celtic pattern but in the middle of the bracelet it had her name engraved in it 'Rachael Jones'. Ray once again threw herself at Severus, giving him a hug, but this time she didn't leave his lap, she settled in for awhile, the both sat there in silence, no words necessary this was much better than either had expected Christmas day to be.
