Harry and Rowan began spending time together, even apart from their typical DA meetings. Ron wasn't overjoyed about Harry's newfound friend and often grumbled about being replaced by a "filthy snake", which Harry tried to ignore. She had suggested they try to keep their communications secret as it could negatively impact them both. Rowan was a strange puzzle to him and he was still trying to figure out the pieces, which seemed to get closer each time they hung out together. She had invited him along to Hogsmeade for holiday shopping, as it was the last weekend before they returned home. Silently, they left the castle and began heading to the small village. The smaller girl seemed weighed down by something, more so than usual.

" Are you alright?"

She nodded, "I'm just nervous about going home."

She had slowed her pace and gulped, "Sometimes Dad's friends come there and things turn bad."

"What do you mean by bad, Rowan?"

"Well, they're Death Eaters, they aren't the most upstanding members of society."

"How do things go wrong?"

"They just… do things. They started when I turned thirteen and haven't stopped."

"Ro, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, does your father know?" Harry was horrified at what she had implied, surely Mr. Rosier wouldn't let them go that far if he had known what was happening.

"Yes, he doesn't even try to intervene. He won't let me tell my mother. I'm sorry, Harry. I meant for this to be a fun day, you don't need to hear all of my pathetic problems. I shouldn't have mentioned it." Harry noticed her onyx orbs were swimming with tears and he felt the urge to hold her. While their relationship had been beautifully platonic, he had feelings for the Slytherin girl.

"Is it… would it be okay if I hugged you?" He didn't want to overstep the boundaries and make her uncomfortable, yet he wanted to provide comfort.

She nodded and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, hers around his waist. She inhaled his scent at the pulse in his neck, cedar and something musky like patchouli. Hers enveloped his nose, freesia and citrus.

"Please don't pity me, Harry. I just want to be treated normally."

He kept his arm wrapped around the raven haired witch's shoulders, leading them into Hogsmeade. While he was still thinking about the awful things that those men had done to an innocent girl, he didn't want her to be reliving any of those memories. Steering them into Zonko's, he managed to make her laugh with their newest products until the tears were happy. While there, he purchased presents for his mates and Sirius. He was curious to what the heir of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black would think about his new friend. Ron was destined to bring up the issue at Christmas. He wrapped the silver and green scarf tighter around Rowan, shooting her a smile which she returned. Her small hand slipped in his and he felt the coolness of her fingertips as they wedged in between his fingers. Warm, bubbling began to rise in his chest as she led them to the Three Broomsticks. Ushering her to a booth in the back, secluded from view, he ordered two butterbeers.

"I got you something, well some things, for Christmas," Rowan said, pulling two things out of her pocket.

"I shrunk the first thing so you could take it with you, I made it out of enchanted yarn so it should keep you warm." It was a maroon and gold striped afghan quilt, she had made it long enough to cover the entirety of his dorm bed. He was shocked. Aside from Mrs. Weasley, no one had made anything quite so comforting and personal for him.

"The second thing is this," she said, tossing a snake coin on the table, "it is a portkey for the safe house I inherited from my sister, I figured it was something you'd eventually use. The place is untraceable and covered in protection enchantments. If you ever find yourself in peril, use this and I will meet you there."

"Thank you, Rowan. You didn't have to do all this, no one has really ever done this much for me before. I had gotten you some stuff as well though."

Diving into his coat pockets, he pulled out a jewelry gift box and a green leather journal.

"Oh wow, thank you so much, Harry. Wait, is the pendant a Rowan tree?" She said, gasping as she held the necklace and inspected it.

"Yes, I figured you'd appreciate it. I'm so glad you like it. Thank you for being a great companion this year."

"Can you put it on me?"

Harry nodded and removed the fragile chain from its box, placing it around her slender neck, trying to avoid the curls that ended there. They sipped their butterbeer and laughed in agreement as they lightly gossiped about their peers. Harry's thumbs brushed over Rowan's knuckles under the table. A blush crept in her cheeks as they arose to leave the busy business. Walking into the main strip of Hogsmeade, they continued to hold hands. As they rounded a corner, a bundle of mistletoe was placed above them in the archway. Harry hesitated as she stared up at the bundle and glanced their interlocked hands. Rowan glanced at him with determination and trust. He slid his palms up her arms until it rested on her pale, cold cheek. Slowly, he leaned in and she wrapped her arms around him, keeping him close to her. Their lips touched and electricity shot through them rapidly, leaving them kissing even deeper and getting as close as they possibly could. Silently, Rowan pulled back and smiled, pecking the corner of his mouth.

"Happy Christmas, Ro."

"Happy Christmas, Harry. Thank you again."