DISCLAIMER: I still don't own Harry Potter…

Chapter 17: The Letter

Most of the students went home for Christmas break. Hermione and Ron went back to the Burrow. They had invited Harry to, but he decided to stay with Raven. She had confided in him that she didn't like going home for the holidays.

Hermione, of course, was going to the Burrow to be with Bill. She had begged Harry to come so she wouldn't be the only one there that wasn't in the family. She was disappointed when she found out Harry wasn't coming. However, she cheered up when she heard that Fred was bringing Angelina and George was bringing his new girlfriend. Charlie was also bringing his new fiancé.

So she left with Ron and the other students. That left Harry, Raven, and three other Gryffindors. Raven had took to staying in Hermione's room (Head Girl dorm) during and Harry stayed with her, giving them some alone time together (they didn't do anything! Harry slept in an extra room Hermione had magic's there for him to stay in while she was gone because he didn't want to sleep in Draco's room .).

They spent most of their time there together in the Heads common room. Sometimes they would laugh and tease each other and other times they would just sit with each other on the couch, staring into the flames. They were content to be silent.

Harry could sense something, in those moments of silence, was deeply troubling Raven. She wouldn't share her thoughts with him but he knew they had to be something bad. But he decided in the end that he didn't want to push her about it; he hoped she would tell him on her own.

But she didn't and the days before Christmas flew by. Before either of them knew it, it was Christmas morning. Christmas carols could be heard coming from the enchanted Christmas tree in the common room, waking both Raven and Harry.

Harry found Raven sitting on the couch as he entered the common room. She was still in her pajamas. She was also glaring evilly at the Christmas tree.

"Good morning Raven."

She turned her glare on him but then softened her gaze. "Good morning Harry and Happy Christmas."

"To you too." He walked over and took a seat beside her. "Do you want to open presents?"

She smiled at him. "Of course!"

They opened the gifts from the Burrow first. Harry got the traditional Weasley sweater and some chocolate from Mrs. Weasley. Ron got him a book on the best Quiddich moves. Hermione got him a book on spells and a bottle of muggle cologne.

Raven received a Weasley sweater too. It was a deep black with her name written in silver across it. Ron got her a bottle of perfume. And Hermione, predictably, got her a book.

They decided to exchange gifts. Harry handed her a small box and she handed him a large box. She told him to open his first.

He pulled out a new cloak first. It was one of the expensive ones with silver lining. Next, he pulled out a box that said 'Practice Snitch'.

"It's an enchanted snitch," Raven explained. "It does everything a regular one does only this one stays within a certain boundary."

"That's wicked!" Harry exclaimed. He reached down in the box for the remaining item. He pulled out a book.

"It teaches you the best spells to use in a tight situation," Raven told him.

"Really?"

"Yeah. It even has some spells that you can use to remain strong while being tortured," Raven continued.

"Wow, thanks. This will probably come in handy," he replied thinking of the inevitable battle with Voldemort.

She smiled at him and started opening her present from him. She gasped when she saw what it was. She pulled out a locket.

"It's an enchanted locket. On one side, it shows the person you are thinking of. On the other side it shows what they are doing and where they are at."

"It's beautiful Harry," she whispered. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome. I hope you like it."

"Oh I do…"

An owl caught her gaze as it swooped in the room. It dropped a black letter in her lap, the left just as quick. They both stared at the letter.

"Well…," Harry started, "are you going to open it?"

"Yeah," she said, picking up the letter. She opened it and read the contents. Her face paled as she reached the bottom.

"Raven…is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine," she replied coolly as she snapped the letter shut. "I have to go. Thank you for my gift."

Then she left. She left the Head dorm and left Harry staring after her. What was in that letter?

Outside in the hall, an enchanted locket showed a simple grave in a cold forest.