The days pass slowly until the end of term, especially thanks to newfound drama with Harry. Thankfully, Fred and George are the best at forgetting drama, or at least adding humor to it. The three of us spend the rest of the days until Christmas holiday parading Harry about the halls as though he's a king, shouting about how "Everyone must make way for the Heir of Slytherin!" and "fending him off" with cloves of garlic.
One day, as I sit alone in the Common Room, weaving garlic necklaces for myself and the boys, Hermione comes up behind me and sits on the couch directly behind where I sit on the floor.
"'Ay, 'Mione," I greet her, waving a garlic necklace.
"Hullo, Rey. You don't actually believe all that about Harry, do you?" she asks, concerned.
"Nah. Only joking, Love," I smile.
"Good. I just wanted to make sure you were on the right side of things, is all."
I nod. "We're not offending Harry, are we? That's the last thing I want." "No, no. I think it actually makes him feel better, people acting like the idea of him being the Heir is insane." "I get that. I gotta go, 'Mione," I start, having finished the necklaces. "We'll catch up more over Christmas, okay?"
She nods, watching as I stand to go.
When the holiday starts, I've almost never been happier. I'm sure of it. At least in the Gryffindor tower, it's just me and my boys, their siblings, Harry, and Hermione. That makes me unendingly happy, the amount of freedom and privacy, though Percy's still a nag.
The twins and I spend most of our time curled up in front of the Common Room fireplace, playing Wizard Chess and Exploding Snap. Sometimes, we even practice dueling. It's nice and I'm comfortable, falling asleep later than usual each night, curled up beside George. Instead of going up to the dorms, we grabbed the three of ours' mattresses from our dorms and brought them downstairs, laying them in front of the fire in the Common Room. With those and a ton of blankets and pillows, we sleep each night, me sandwiched between the twins. It's the most comfortable sleep I've ever gotten, heat from the fireplace enveloping us.
On Christmas morning, I stumble out of bed earlier than usual to go get the gifts I got the boys, having stolen Harry's Invisibility Cloak one day when students were going to Hogsmeade. Don't worry, I made sure he wouldn't need it that day and returned it in the same condition. Grabbing the two neatly wrapped presents from under my bed in the girls' dorm, I prance downstairs, singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" loudly as I go in an attempt to wake the twins. Sure enough, it works, and the sleepy boys wake.
"Hey, Losers! It's Christmas!" I remind the boys giddily.
"Yeah, it is. I didn't realize that translated to, 'wake us up at the crack of dawn'," Fred flashes me a smile.
"I was just so excited for you guys to open your gifts!" I hop from one foot to the other, giddy.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Hand 'em over!" Fred grins widely.
Carefully, I hand them their gifts, certain not to mix them up. Green wrapping paper for George and red for Fred. You get it? Hilarious.
"One at a time," I demand.
"I'm older, so I'll go first," Fred elbows George in the ribs, ripping the paper.
Inside is a book called Pranking Made Easy - Boils, Extra Limbs, and Much More! and a large box of Filibuster Fireworks. I also included a note that reads:
To One of My Best Friends in the World,
Thank you for the adventures, and I hope these gifts will help aid us in having many more. I love you so much, and I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for your friendship.
Love you Lots,
Audrey Tyler xoxo
Chuckling, he stands to give me a hug.
"Your turn, Georgie," I announce.
To One of My Best Friends in the World,
The clothes can be considered payback for all the ones I stole from you, but they can also be considered an investment, because, after you've had 'em a while, I'm gonna steal 'em back for sure. Also, I'll probably steal some of the candy. This is the nature of our friendship. I love you so much, Georgie. More than I can express with words. I am so grateful for you, and I am so thankful you put up with me - night terrors, stealing, and all.
Love you Lots,
Audrey Tyler xoxo
He laughs softly, that sad sort of joy in his eyes, and stands to hug me deeply. When he breaks away, Fred exclaims, "Time for Rey's presents from us!"
Both boys sprint upstairs, leaving me waiting, but not for long. The boys come down with messily wrapped gifts, both wrapped in bright magenta wrapping paper. First, I open Fred's. Inside are several band shirts, one Eminem and the rest are all classic rock. There is also a package of a few Chocolate Frogs and a note that reads:
To My Best Friend I'm Not Related to,
I made my dad order these shirts online, and he had a hard time with Muggle delivery. He's gonna make you explain it. Just a heads up. I love you, Rey. You quickly became a huge part of George and I's world. I don't know what we'd do without you. Just know that we care about you a whole lot. Don't go anywhere, okay?
Love,
Forge xoxo
I grin up at Fred. "These shirts are awesome! Thank you!" I pull him into a big hug. I know how hard it must've been to get them.
"Hey! My turn!" George snaps playfully, handing over a box. Unwrapping it carefully, I notice that inside the box are two smaller boxes. The first has "Master Pranking Kit" printed on the front. Opening it up, I find a pamphlet, several gag gifts and simple prancing supplies, some Filibusters, odd quills, and a lot more. It's awesome! Then, I open another box. Inside, there's a delicate necklace, the charm on it being an actual inactive Golden Snitch. Pulling it out of the box in awe, I hand it to George, wordlessly asking him to help me clasp it around my neck. I lift my hair and he does so gently. Then, I move onto the card.
To the Most Amazing Girl I Know,
This time last year, you were in the hospital wing, and I was the most heartbroken I've ever been. I lost everything, my two best friends (you and George), my grades were slipping, and I could barely focus on anything. Then, you were back, and it was like the light switch in my head was flicked on. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I need you. So, just don't leave me. You can sleep in my bed and steal all my t-shirts, but as long as you're here I'll be content.
Love you,
Gred xoxo
I feel tears well up in my big grey eyes, and I sniffle as George pulls me into a fierce hug. "I love you, too, Rey," he chuckles, not having been prepared for my reaction. "Now, no more tears," he pulls away gently. "Time to open the other presents."
The boys have gifts from their mother and brothers. To my surprise, I have one from Mrs. Weasley as well. Inside all of our gifts from Molly, there are sweaters, identical to the ones from last year, and plum cakes, which look delicious. The three of us pull on our matching sweaters and eat small pieces of our cakes while we open other gifts.
From my dad, I receive several pairs of earbuds (I'm running out) and a new charger for my MP3 player as well as a sweet note saying how he and Raymond miss me so much. I shudder at the thought. Also, from Hermione, I receive a set of Robert Louis Stevenson books like Treasure Island, Body Snatchers, and Olalla. She must have remembered our conversation in our first year about how much we loved The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I smile, grateful I'd thought to get her a gift, too.
At the feast that night, the boys and I agree to have a little fun and dress a little more formally. So, that night, I shower and do my makeup before putting on a soft red dress that's skin tight everywhere except the skirt, which flares out. It's not super fancy or anything, but it's certainly not as casual as the outfit I'd usually wear to dinner.
When I get downstairs, the boys are dressed in matching red button downs and grey slacks with grey ties, looking particularly nice. "No jackets?" I chortle.
"No, that would be far too much," Fred winks, offering his elbow for me to hook onto. I take it, walking arm in arm with him down to the Great Hall, excited for the feast. Fred and I giggle a bit about nothing and everything, while George walks ahead of us, leading the way.
Inside the Great Hall, everything looks splendid. There are huge evergreen trees, well-decorated, lined up along the walls, and there are twinkling lights suspended in the air. The air feels vibrant with magic.
Taking a seat, I start to think as I wait for the feast to appear on the table. The way I see it, Christmas is a time to be grateful. I don't know what could be a better thing to be thankful for than that I'm here to spend a lovely Christmas with my beloved boys. I couldn't ask for anything better.