Snowfall.

Tiny crystals of ice descended upon the land. Once, this could have broken a man. Killed his crops, frozen his animals to the bone. Now, all we see of it is the reflection of the light that shines in our eyes.

It's strange how the worlds of wizard and man evolve over time. In the first days of man, we used clubs to beat animals to death to eat. Then, the world changed with the bow and arrow - we no longer needed to be recklessly aggressive whilst hunting. And then, it changed again with the discovery of gunpowder and bullets.

But the world of man is far different from the Wizarding World, as I have learned first hand. We have always had magic at our disposal, we just didn't realize it until we learned to harness our gifts. Our 'bloodright', as many Slytherins would say.

"What are you doing?"

As I heard the voice, my head shot towards my door, and I saw my caretaker, Ms. Sarah.

I gave her a faux smile, and then held up the book in my hands that I drifted away from to delve deeper into my own mind as I thought about the snow falling down outside.

"Just reading." I responded.

She nodded, and gave me a gentle smile as she responded "Okay. I just wanted to let you know that it's about time for Mr. Greengrass's attendants to pick you up."

"Thank you." I said, and then she nodded, closing the door.

I pulled myself out of my bed as I heard her footsteps loudly touch the floor outside my door, and walked over to Bruma, who had been sleeping gently in his cage.

As I pulled the gate open, and touched his soft feathers, his bright, yellow eyes blinked open, and he let out an affectionate *Coo*.

I smiled, and ran my hand through his feathers once more before offering him my arm, and picking him up. I walked over to my window, and then opened it up, letting the snowy owl go free for the night.

"We all need to celebrate Christmas, Bruma. I'll make sure you have a nice, juicy rat waiting for you when you get back. That is, if you haven't filled up on squirrels and the like."

Bruma let off one more happy *Coo!* before flapping his wings, and carrying himself outside.

The window closed as I pushed the handle down, and I felt a tight slithering around my legs.

When I looked down, I saw Nagi, who was characteristically vying for my attention.

"Isss it too much to asssk that the bird getsss left behind?"

I quickly bent down, and roughly tapped Nagi on her nose, to which her tongue flicked out in annoyance.

"Don't be mean, Nagi. Bruma's earned his place in this little family of ours, just as you have. Besides, it's Christmas. At least extend a hand of friendship, even if it only applies to today."

The snake flicked it's tongue once more, and then grimly muttered "Fine…"

Smiling, I held out my hand to her, and let her crawl up it.

"That's my girl." I said, to which the snake nuzzled my cheek as her tail wrapped itself around my neck.

I took one more glance around my room before my eyes landed on a pile of neatly wrapped-up presents, and I picked them up. None of them were exceptionally heavy, or large for that matter, but they all came from the heart.

With the matters in my room attended to, I opened up my door, and walked outside, immediately feeling my body grow warmer from the toasty halls of the place that I called home.

*Knock Knock*

I quickly opened up the doors, and was greeted by two men wearing dark green tailored suits, and strange ball masks that hid away everything on their face, with the exception of their eyes.

"Corvus Gaunt of the House of Gaunt?" one of the men in the tailored suits asked. His voice was deep. Fitting, given his large stature, and his athletic body.

I nodded, and they each gave me a deep bow, putting their hands across their chest in a bid to honor me.

"Lord Commodus Greengrass extends his seasonal greetings to your and your guardian. Is there anything you shall need before we depart for the Greengrass Estate?"

I shook my head, and looked at the pile of presents sitting in a corner as I said "Just my pre-"

And then one of the attendants pulled out his wand, and pointed it towards the pile, causing each of the presents to uniformly fly up, and hover over our heads before disappearing somewhere behind the men.

"There is no need to trouble yourself, Master Corvus. We will do everything we can to accommodate you. Are you prepared to depart?" he said, staring into my own eyes.

I don't think he blinked once during our whole conversation. HIs mind was left bare. It would take little more than a push to see what he's thinking, though, I doubt it matters much.

I turned around and yelled "Ms. Sarah! I'm leaving! I'll be back soon!"

"Okay! Try not to stay out too late! I'll be waiting for you next to the fireplace!" she yelled back, and then I looked to the attendants, who had quickly moved to the side to allow me a passage.

I won't lie, I was a little nervous when the carriage I was in began to fly. Apparently, I had neglected to look at the steads who were pulling the carriage, and in the process, didn't notice the wings on their backs. It didn't take long for me to get used to it, though. It seemed like it only took a few moments for me to acclimate before I was comfortable, and even enjoying the ride to an extent.

"Who is all going to be in attendance for the party?" I asked, to which the man in front of me blinked, and then pulled out what looked to be some sort of scroll-like list from a bag next to him.

"Primarily French families of a certain wealth and power, although many British Pure-Blood families will also be in attendance. Of the British, those included are: Abbott, Crouch, Gaunt," he took a pause to stare at me and say "you," and then he went back to the list spouting off "Malfoy, Nott, Parkinson, and the Prewett's. Of those not belonging to Pure-Blooded families, we have a Tracey Davis, and the Zabini family."

'So all my friends will be there.' I thought as I grinned, although the thought of Draco attending made me a little upset. 'The Malfoy's are probably just there as a formality.'

I watched out the window as I witnessed more and more snow falling outside. The snowflakes looked like they were stars in the night sky as we shot past them in the barely-lit carriage.

"It won't take too much longer, Master Gaunt. In fact, we should be noticing the estate in just a few moments if you would look a little further to your right."

At first, it was faint, but I noticed a ball of warm light , and then I began noticing more and more of the estate as we got closer.

This estate, it made the Buckingham Palace look paltry. Rows and rows of marble statues and hedges trimmed into the shapes of various birds passed by as we got closer and closer to the entrance of the estate until we had pulled up in a paved circle wedged between the entrance, and a grand fountain of water.

The door to the carriage opened as an attendant pulled it outwards, and rather than feeling the intense cold of winter, I felt warm, as though this place had been enchanted to stay heated.

I took a few steps down the carriage steps, and then looked around. While the towering building in front of me looked like a fortress of windows and marble, the hedges behind me looked lush and green; even more healthy than they looked whilst I was staring out the window.

"The Greengrass family must spend a fortune on herbologists." I muttered, to which the attendant nodded in agreement.

"The Greengrass family specializes in potions and potion ingredients. Both this garden, and the numerous Greengrass harvesting plants have the quality of their ingredients set as a priority."

With that, the attendant approached the door, and motioned towards it as another man wearing similar garbs opened the door.

"This carriage will be ready whenever you feel like departing. Please, enjoy your stay."

I nodded, and then walked in. Immediately, I felt the heat from a dozen hearths warm me up even more than the warmth from the area outside the manor did.

"Sir, the party is down the hall in the ballroom. Shall I escort you?"

I nodded, and the man began walking me down the hall, giving me the opportunity to look at the various paintings and elaborate decorations that littered the hallways and the main hall.

Just as I heard the commotion of music, cheers, and laughter, we reached a large set of double doors.

With a set of three knocks, the door opened, and I witnessed a large staircase that led down to the bottom floor where there must have been nearly one hundred and fifty people dancing in a manner that I could only describe as noble, or conversing along the sidelines as they snacked on food, and listened to the music being played by the band in the corner of the ballroom.

"Corvus Gaunt of the House of Gaunt has arrived!" the escort announced, and then he left the room, pulling the doors behind him shut.

Whilst the band continued playing, a large number of people stopped to stare at me. Some with disgust behind their masks, while others seemed to be amused.

What's worse is that I couldn't seem to find any one of my friends.

I began walking down the stairs as the people continued dancing or conversing with each other. Truthfully, I felt a little under dressed. I knew this was going to be a Christmas party, but I don't know anything about how nobles throw parties outside of what I've seen in movies, television, or read in books.

Everyone here, they seemed to have expensive, almost regal masks, along with expensive-looking tailored suits.

When I finally reached the bottom step, a single house-elf appeared, and offered a tray to me.

"A drink for the young master?" the elf asked in a gentle, but eager to please voice.

I waited a little bit before holding my hand up, and asking "Is this drink alcoholic?"

The drink itself seemed to resemble champagne, with its nearly clear appearance with its subtle yellowish tint, and the bubbles that seemed to drift up from the bottom of the glass.

"No, sir! Horvish swears he would punish Horvish for even entertaining the thought of serving such a drink to an underage wizard!" the elf cried out.

"Oh?" I began. "Then what is it?"

"Sparkling apple juice, sir!"

Smiling, I grabbed a glass, and took a sip of the drink, feeling the carbonated drink fizzle in my mouth.

"This is really good. Thank you." I said, to which the elf broke out in excitement before beginning to leave.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you very much!"

I couldn't help but chuckle with the drink in my hand as the elf wandered off.

I heard some heavy footsteps from behind me, next to the staircase, and as I turneda round, I saw the familiar visage of Mr. Greengrass. Er, well, what looks like Mr. Greengrass. It's hard to tell because of the mask, but I'm 99% sure it's him.

"Welcome to the Greengrass Estate, Corvus! I am pleased that you could make it. You didn't have any issues on the trip here, did you?"

'Yep. It's him.' I thought.

"No, no!" I assured him, "The people you sent to get me were more than accommodating."

The man paused for a minute before chuckling to himself.

"Accommodating?" he asked, "You're quite eloquent for an eleven year old. Even more so than Daphne."

I smiled, stating "So I've been told."

Before we could continue our personal conversation, I asked "Er, where is Daphne, anyways? I thought that she would've already come to find me by now."

The man smiled, and put his hand on my shoulder before saying "Don't worry, my boy. I'm sure that she'll find us eventually. Besides, I wanted to talk to you about something."

I felt uneasy at the man's insistence on conversation, especially since he began walking with his hand wrapped onto my shoulder farthest from him.

"There are many dangers to young pure-bloods like yourself - people who have great inheritances that many wish to acquire out of greed. Out of your friendship with Daphne, I am more than willing to teach you everything you need to know with no extra cost. Noble etiquette, qualities to distinguish friend or foe, even business management, if you wish to learn, but I require one single thing in return."

At my noticeable hesitation, he quickly turned and said "Don't worry. I won't tell you to do anything rash like squander your inheritance, but it will be life-changing."

Feeling my chest grow hot, I asked "What do you want from me, then?"

He smiled as he responded "A favour."

"…"

"Of course, I can't tell you what that favour is, and I won't call it in now. Not until you're nearly graduated, at the very least, but I can assure you, it will be life-changing. And for the better, I might add."

"Why can't you tell me what it is?" I asked.

He shook his head as we continued across the dance floor towards a white door with a gold trim on it.

"I refuse to bother someone of your potential with the difficulties of adulthood. It's not so much that I am worried you'll refuse than it is my own personal morals. In fact, I won't even make a contract for you to sign. All I need is your word in good faith."

I waited for a moment. Maybe a moment too long as Mr. Greengrass continued.

"I've seen the place you live in. That dreadful home of children struggling to get the basic necessities. As a bonus, I swear to you that I will throw in a sponsorship for your home. That, and my protection."

I could tell he was trying to sweeten the deal even without looking into his eyes to tell what he was thinking, but I couldn't detect any maliciousness in his honeyed words.

"I need to look into your eyes." I said, and then he turned to me.

"What for?"

I smiled, stating "They say that eyes are the window to the soul. Think of this as my method of learning to trust you."

He smiled, and took his ballroom mask off, revealing his familiar matured eyes that flared with intellect and intuition.

And then, I tried invading his mind.

…

And tried…

And tried again…

…

Eventually, I gave up with a huff.

Mr. Greengrass smiled, and then kneeled down to me as he fixed my collar which had somehow become slightly disheveled.

"You're a smart and talented young man, Corvus, but please do not try to read my mind again. You're a strong ligilimens; one of the strongest I've ever witnessed, but you lack finesse and subtlety. As for my word, you can trust it. If you ever feel like I'm taking advantage of you, you can refuse the deal."

He finished fixing my collar, and then clasped my shoulder.

"Do we have a deal?"

I thought for a while, and stood perfectly still as I thought in depth of the outcomes of both refusing him, and going along with his deal, but in the end, couldn't find many detriments other than this mysterious favour that he wanted form me.

"… Fine." I said. "I'll make this deal with you."

Mr. Greengrass's face grew bright just as he pulled his mask over his face once more.

"Excellent! With this, you're now an honorary member of the Greengrass family in everything but name… Er, by that, I mean that the Gaunt family is already a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, so there's nothing to gain from taking it."

I gave a wry smile, and then he continued to go to the door only a few steps away, and opened it to reveal a smaller, more isolated room with a large fireplace, and an incredibly large Christmas tree in the corner.

From the inside of the room, I could faintly hear the sounds of conversation and laughter.

"Your friends are inside, Corvus. I do hope you have a happy Christmas."

I nodded in return.

"Thank you, sir."

As I walked into the room, the smell of freshly baked cookies wafted into my nose, and I could almost feel the Christmas cheer fill my body.

"Hey, it's Corvus! We were just talking about you!"

I smiled as I saw Blaise's face pop out from a couch. His usual enthusiasm had already begun to infect me once more. It had only been a week, and I was already starting to miss my friends.

"Corvus!" Daphne cried out.

Her head poked out from the couch as well, but she quickly got off to hug me tightly.

As her arms wrapped around me, she whispered "Merry Christmas!" before quickly letting go.

I looked around the room and my eyes quickly met with Theo's own. I could even almost see the faint signs of a smile growing on his face.

I walked up to him before offering him my hand. As his hand grasped my own, I clasped him on his shoulder.

"How have you been, Theodore? Not too shabby, I take it?"

Theo gave me a short nod, and I turned around the room.

"Where's Tracey?" I asked. I looked around the room once more in an attempt to find her before Daphne spoke up.

"Oh! She just went to the bathroom not too long ago. She should be-"

Then the door suddenly swung open, and Tracey appeared in what Christmas themed pajamas fit with Christmas trees, wreaths, and candy canes randomly placed along the leg. But… what drew my attention far more was the few strands of hair that had been dyed platinum blonde on her right side, and the absence of her glasses.

"Corvus?" she asked as she caught sight of me.

"Tracey?" I returned. "Where are you glasses? And…nice touch with the hair."

I swear I could see a tinge of pink as I complimented her hair. As she brushed her hair back behind one of her ears, she said "I've replaced my glasses with contacts. I didn't think that glasses looked that good on me."

Honestly, Tracey looked fine to me before, but I couldn't believe just how different Tracey looked with a slight change to her normal wardrobe.

"I think you look great, with or without the glasses!"

She walked up to me before giving me a tight hug.

"Thank you." she said, and then she let go to sit down on the couch next to Theodore.

I followed her onto the couch opposite of hers and sat down next to Blaise, with Daphne quickly taking the spot next to me.

I looked down at the coffee table separating us, and saw a plate of cookies that I promptly took one from.

"Chocolate chip. My favorite." I remarked, and then I looked around. "Where are my presents?"

With that, Daphne clapped her hands twice, and with a *Thunk!*-like sound, a pile of presents appeared. Far more than I had brought myself.

"Who should open first?" Daphne asked, and I raised my hand.

"I think I would like to hand out my presents personally, if you guys don't mind," with murmurs of agreement on their side. "Excellent."

At that, I approached my presents, and picked them out. I really hoped that they would like them, especially because they weren't presents that originated in the Wizarding World.

The first present was given to Theodore.

A small package. Only a few inches wide and a few centimeters tall, but it was the contents within that counted most.

"Here, Theo. I hope you like it."

He slowly began tearing away the paper, revealing a small box with a lid loosely attached to the top. As he took of the lid, and picked up the small circular object within, I couldn't help but smile.

"It's a watch, Theo. You've got an incredible mind, but be careful that you don't lose track of time keeping your studies in check. With this watch that I fixed myself, I hope that you keep that in mind."

"One could literally say the same for you." Blaise said, to which Daphne and Tracey giggled."

"You're one of my best friends, Theo." I continued. "Let's promise to always stick by each other, yeah?"

He gave me a nod, but smiled. The first time I've ever seen him so blatantly show emotion.

"…nks"

My ears twitched at his sudden words, but I only nodded in understanding. His silence, he keeps it for a reason, and I won't be the one to bring out the reason. At least not now.

"Don't mention it." I said, and then I moved on. "Tracey, you're next."

Her box was even smaller than Theo's but I put just as much heart into it. Maybe even more.

As she tore off the paper and opened up the box, I reached in, and gently pulled out two earrings in the shape of a heart. In the center of the small heart-shaped gaps, there lied red ruby hearts connected to the outer layer by a thin piece of metal.

"I actually had to send a letter to Gringotts to exchange my wizard currency for muggle money to pay for this. I had it specially crafted, much like Daphne's."

I held them out to her, and offered to put them on. With her consent, and the turn of her head, I began to poke the sharp bit into the small holes.

"I got you hearts to represent your compassion. You may not realize this, but you're the most normal out of all of us, albeit more kind than most other people. Every time you see these earrings, I hope you're reminded of just how much we need you in our little group."

As I finished putting them on, her arms wrapped around my neck.

"Thank you so much! I promise I'll always be there for you guys!"

I chuckled as she hugged me, and rubbed her back until she eventually let go (which took far longer than I thought it would. I still had two gifts.

"Now… Blaise, what I got you isn't as thoughtful, but I think you will appreciate it just as much. It's a-"

Before I could finish, he tore open the entire package, and pulled out a t-shirt with a matching jacket and jogging pants.

"Montrose Magpies merch! How did you know?" he asked, to which my eyebrow curled.

"Are you serious?" I asked. "You've literally got a Magpies calendar right next to your bed."

"And! You're always gushing about them, especially whenever we go to a quidditch match." Tracey interjected, playing with her earrings.

"I hope you like it. From what I understand, that particular ensemble is quite rare now."

"It's the 1978 collection!" he said, and then threw the clothes into the clothes box. With a speed I didn't know he was capable of, he ran out of the room to the bathroom Tracey came out of.

"I… don't know what to say about that." I admitted. "I guess he likes it?"

Tracey started to laugh, but I merely smiled and shook my head.

"Now, I guess all that's left is you, Daphne." I said. Her box was a little different than the other's. It was about the same size as Tracey's, but the wrapping had a black and green pattern on it, with a small green bow on it.

"I hope you don't mind. I know you're not a super materialistic person, but I thought you'd like something shiny to show off."

Unlike the others, she gently took off the wrapping paper, starting with the tape first. Maybe it was because she wanted to savor the moment, or maybe it was just a side effect of her upbringing, but I couldn't help but smile as she opened up the package. When she finally lifted the lid off, I couldn't help but grin ear to ear as she looked at it.

"While Tracey got ruby earrings, I thought I'd get something more befitting of the Greengrass family."

As I picked up the ring, I observed the handiwork once more. I had designed it myself, although I wish that I had known the Greengrass family for a little longer so the carvings in the metal would suit Daphne more. Instead, I would have to be satisfied with the designs I had already ordered.

In the center of the ring lied a large, multi-faceted emerald that seemed to effortlessly reflect light coming from the fire, and the lights on the ceiling. On the sides, a brilliant lustrous platinum band inlaid with golden indentations. In my own words, it's… beautiful.

"It's beautiful…" she repeated. Daphne sniffled as she held out her hand, obviously intent on me placing the ring on her finger. Holding her wrist steady, I slipped the ring on the finger in between her middle finger and pinkie. "Thank you… so much."

And then she hugged me as well.

"Corvus, I really have to commend you on this one. These clothes fit me - Woah? Is that a ring?" Blaise asked, barging into the room. "Corvus? Have you proposed already? Awful early for a wizard, but then again, I suppose you are pure-bloods."

I merely shook my head as Daphne let her arms untangle around my neck.

"No, but I do have to admit, you look pretty good in those clothes."

Blaise smiled as he said "Thanks. A good friend of mine got it for me."

And we all laughed.

Right here, right now, I was reminded of how much I valued my friends. Only a few months had passed since the beginning of the year, but I already valued them all so dearly.

In time, I'll tell them everything. All of my secrets. The fact that I can talk to snakes, my relationship with Gellert Grindelwald, they'll know everything.

"You'll tell them everything?" Gellert asked. "Every little secret you've kept in that little heart of yours?"

I nodded as Gellert continued. He may just be teasing me, but I could tell he was happy.

"Good," he continued. "There was once a person I trusted that much. Still do, in fact. Maybe one day, I'll see him again."

"You mean Dumbledore." I said, to which Gellert's eyes glinted with both excitement and amusement. "I know who you are now."

"Yes. Yes you do, but what will you do with that information now that you know it? Now that you know I was once the darkest wizard to roam the world?"

"… Nothing." I admitted as I stared out at the stars and snow as it drifted onto the ground from the sky. "I don't think you've got any malicious plans. As strange as it sounds… I trust you."

I could almost hear Gellert grin.

"Now that is good news. I'm glad that you've decided to place your trust in me. It's been a long time since I've met somebody who holds me in esteem as high as you do, especially since the forties."

For once, I felt a little uncomfortable as I asked "That offer… the one to join you in Austria. Is it still on the table?" Grindelwald is unquestionably a powerful wizard. Almost, if not just as powerful, as Dumbledore himself. The things he could teach me…

"Of course, my boy. Just use the tools I have given you, and you'll never lose your way to Nurmengard. I'll be waiting on the front doorstep for you."

"Good." I said. "I'll find you just as soon as I can. And Gellert?"

"Yes?"

"Merry Christmas." I said.

"Merry Christmas, Corvus."

Sorry for the late update! This last week has kicked my ass between Thanksgiving and Black Friday, so I hope you'll forgive me for my shitty excuse, but I really couldn't do it on time. Hopefully it'll be smooth sailing after the holidays, but until then, I'm going to do everything I can to keep my schedule. On the other hand, we're nearing the end of the first book, and the real start of where I can begin making my own storylines, starting with Summer Break in which Corvus goes to Austria. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, even if it's not that action packed and is contains a lot of feel-good filler. Until then, I'll eagerly wait to hear what you guys think about this chapter.

-CStrain