Chapter 8

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Rebekah was the only one of her year in the House of Snakes to stay during the Yule holiday. Of course, older members were staying but none of them were near her age. All of them were in the fourth year or above, luckily the Slytherin Prefects had stayed so Rebekah wasn't defenceless against the older Gryffindors that terrorised the younger Slytherin members.

The First-year dorms were cold, not because the temperature dropped, it had been cold since November, it was cold because there was no sign of life. Everything was polished, dusted, and placed in the correct places, tucked or stowed away. There was no sign of life besides Rebekah and Emperor, who, given a choice, would have stayed in their dorm room and not left unless it was for food or the library.

They stayed huddled together, swaddled by thick blankets and pillows on the large sofa. Rebekah had placed out several books, textbooks, volumes, texts and lined paper on the coffee table, spread perfectly so she could reach for something if needed. They stayed like this a lot, most of the time they weren't in the blankets but today was particularly cold. They loved it like this, they wanted to stay like this.

But no, every single time food was presented in the Grand Hall, Gemma Farley refused to let a First-year stay alone in the school without protections. And since Farley didn't have the skills to duplicate herself to be in two places at the same time yet, Rebekah was forced to leave her sanctuary every breakfast, lunch and dinner without any exception. She was bitter about it, Rebekah had better things to do than socialise with people who didn't even speak to her, and she told Farley this.

"I would rather be in my dorm, doing something productive," Rebekah pouted, stroking kitten-sized Emperor in her arms. "I'm ignored, it's boring to sit there in silence for an hour each time we eat."

"Well, why don't ya just join in?"

"Because, if no one listens, there is no point speaking,"

"Go talk with the Quidditch team about how you can improve,"

"Already did, we plan to start practising after Yule. Flint suggested that we relax for a bit before we start training again."

"Fine, I'll leave you be, only if you join us in the Winter celebrations; you're the only muggle-raised Slytherin in your year. You'll need to know our traditions sooner or later."

Rebehak thought of everything that she knew about Winter solstice celebrations, which wasn't much compared to taking part in it. She shrugged with a lopsided smile, "Alright, I suppose it wouldn't hurt."

"They'll be drinks, some alcohol ones, maybe some from the Muggle World. You won't be drinkin' until you're fifteen, or at least fifth year," Farley said, she shrugged and crossed her arms. "Alright, I'll ask Carrow if food can be brought by House-Elf."

"That'll be unneeded, I'll ask Talpey if I'm hungry," Rebekah said, thus summoning the House-Elf. "Talpey, can you bring me several brioche breads with raspberry jam and a warm cup of tea?"

"Yes, of course, Miss Potter," Talpey said, his left ear flopped backwards. "With three spoons of honey also?"

"Yes, thanks. And leave it on my desk," Talpey popped away, leaving the two girls alone. "See."

"Alright, I'll see you in the common room at around nine-thirty. Tonight is Winter Solstice, even Snape is joining us. He is always here when there is a tradition to celebrate."

"Goodbye, I'll see you then."

Rebekah sighed and closed the door of her room. It had been a long day, even with the irony of that day being the shortest in the year. It was a quarter to eight, so she had plenty of time to nip to the library and get some books again. She was getting so bored, Rebekah started reading anything she could.

She never knew there were so many books on Magical Law, it was almost unbelievable to imagine so many laws that could be broken or bent, twisted or twirled around the tongue to make it obey. Law was a strange concept to Rebekah, things one had to obey but were simply rules that one person or another made to make themselves and others happy.

Brushing the crumbs off her desk, she pulled a notebook out. A sleek black notebook with a bound spine and a small lock. She uncapped her black-ink fountain pen and began writing what she found out that day; all the little details, notes, knowledge, and facts that she stored away in her mind. Rebekah waved her wand, wishing to vanish the writing as she said the words.

Nothing.

She tried again, her movements more forceful but firm. She flicked her wrist quickly.

The writing vanished, and she shot up from her chair, yelling, "YES!"

Then she realised that she had just vanished an hour's worth of notes. Grumbling, she looked through her textbook for the reversal charm.

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Her Winter Solstice outfit, the outfit she was wearing, was a cream tank top with dark wash jeans, she added an indigo purple turtle-neck and a pair of warm boots. Rebekah french-braided her hair by hand, letting it hang loosely down her back.

Everyone wore similar outfits; mostly robes with Muggle clothes underneath. Luckily, Emperor somehow knew and took one of her adored robes. The hems had runes sewn by hand, infused with magic as the light hit them. Small protection runes scattered here and there.

Rebekah had no clue what happened with the Winter Solstice, there wasn't much written about it. There were rocks building pressure on her chest, her shivers became more apparent as she watched on.

No one rushed. Everyone placed small offerings, galleons, vials of potions, herbs, books, fabric, on the altar. The common room was extended again, not as far but further enough that the altar, one metre-by-metre raised table sat in the middle, could be surrounded by everyone. Pets and Familiars alike also placed offerings.

She didn't move.

"Miss Potter," Rebekah turned her head upwards, Snape stood there. "As I know, this is your first Winter Solstice, correct?"

"Yes, I believe you are right. I have only ever celebrated Muggle Christmas,"

"Ah, the demented version of our traditions," He said. "Nonetheless, you will soon figure out our ways. I suggest you place an offering, it can be anything. It will help you be renewed when all of this is over."

"Renewed?" She asked. "What does that mean in this context?"

"We celebrate the Winter Solstice, or Yule as the Lighter Houses call it, as it is the shortest day and longest night of the year. The themes of this tradition are rebirth, hope and settling intentions for the year to come." He said, his own familiar joined his side, a crisp white hawk with beady black eyes. "We partake to renew ourselves and our Magic, giving back the gifts we were given by chance, and showing that we are grateful for them. We burn the offerings to send them to Earth."

Rebekah nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, I'll join in."

Emperor had her little journal, the one she had been writing all year long, and gave it to her. She had copies of these journals hidden, but this was the original. She understood that it would be burnt, gone forever, but to give it to the ones that gave her Magic, it was more than worth it. She placed the book atop the others, her offering was one of the last.

For the next few hours, until the grandfather clock struck midnight, Rebekah stayed curled on the green sofas with most of the animals, they were all pets of the students. Most were birds and felines, there were only two toads. In total there were fifteen animals and seven familiars. Rebekah had asked Snape to extend one of the sofas for her to sit on, the felines all sat there with her, most of them napping. The birds hooked themselves onto the back of the sofa, preening themselves. The toads sat happily on the table.

She had one of her books in hand, flipping the pages as she finished them. The cats grumbled as she shuffled up a little, getting into a comfortable position on the sofa. The fires roared around the extended common room, it was colder than normal and thus Snape and some of the older years lit the fires. While Rebekah was covered around by animals, her own Familiar decided to leave her. Emperor lied down before the largest fire, curling and stretching in its warmth.

The hour of nothing hit, Snape quickly went from speaking to some of the other teachers that partook in these traditions, to summoning the attention of the students.

"Slytherin House, I am pleased to announce that the time of the burning of offerings is here. With everyone who is here, here, we can begin." He lit the altar with a flick of his wand, bursting all of the offerings into flames. It burnt an illuminating blue. "And with that, the tradition of the Winter Solstice is finished. Students may stay up for another two hours for the party."

Rebekah didn't stay for long, just enough to say goodbye. She was extremely tired but relaxed. It didn't take long for her and Emperor to fall asleep.

Every fire lit in the Slytherin Dungeons glowed blue, a sign of thanks and gratitude from each student, teacher and animal.

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Rebekah found several presents at the foot of her bed, almost all adored with fancy paper that had swirling and twisting designs. Each gift was a slightly different shade of green and gold. Not all the gifts were for her, Emperor had wormed his way into the hearts of her groups, even if he was a little pest at times. She slipped a jumper on and went on her way to open them all up.

The first gift, wrapped in an electric green paper, was a loose, warm grey coat from Draco. It was quite like the one his mother wore before the train trip, he must have asked her what Rebekah would have liked. He had the decency to try and get her a pleasant gift that she would enjoy or like.

The second was from Pansy, a gorgeous little ring that looked like a snake twirled around her finger. Rebekah slipped the ring onto her left hand, placing it on her middle finger. It glittered with its silver setting and a ruby gem. Rubies were Rebekah's birthstones.

Blaise sent a rather large, leather-bound journal that had a drawing of Emperor changing his forms. She flipped the pages and saw that the drawing also followed, Emperor was intrigued by this and simply stared at a smaller version of himself.

Rebekah received an enchanted bar brooch from Daphne. It had five equal-sized stones set into silver, each stone was a slightly different shade. One was warm-toned, another cool, the other had specks of tiny blue petals, a different one reflected light and shone a slightly silver hue. The middle one was Avada-Kadabra green with a tiny emerald set in the middle.

"Emperor, get out of the treats!" Rebekah said, startling him as she stood up abruptly. She shoved the feline away from the catnip and then placed it into her pocket. "You'll get some of these after breakfast,

Another present, one Rebekah knew was from her Aunt and Uncle, contained a simple silver chain necklace. She asked for one when she found her normal necklace broke during Practice a few weeks prior. It was simple with tiny, linked chains, and made from good quality silver. Under that was Dudley's present, a children's book that they both loved.

Rebekah hated ripping the paper, so she used a little dagger to slice open each package carefully. But once, when she tried to open the last, she sliced her thumb from tip to bottom knuckle.

"Are you kidding me?!" Rebekah hissed, putting that finger into her mouth. "Are you joking? For Morgan's sake, that hurt!"

She hurried to the bathroom and shuffled through her little shelves. Finding the first aid kit, she disinfected it and bandaged the wound. Rebekah made a note to herself to go to the Hospital Wing before Breakfast.

"What's left?" Rebekah said to Emperor as she went to finish opening the gifts, with even more care this time.

"Meow."

"I know, I was being an idiot when I opened this one. Anyway, what is this?" Rebekah lifted the silver-grey blanket thing. "Do you have any clue, Emperor?"

"No," Emperor licked his paw.

Rebekah chuckled and swung the blanket over her shoulders, she looked down to see the pattern, but her body disappeared. She dropped it and stepped out, checking herself, then sighed when everything was there. Rebekah noticed a note, it was nestled between some of the layers.

Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you.

Use it well.

A Very Merry Christmas to you

She chuckled at the handwriting, barely legible with its large loops. It seemed like Rebekah Potter just gained an Invisibility Cloak of sorts. She already had plans of mischief in her mind forming.

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