Jigsaw lands on the bed with a thud and starts to purr in Gwen's ear. She smiles stretching out tickling her cat's head right between the ears, "Morning" she yawns rolling over to look at her alarm clock, "It's too early," she moans as the clock says that it's only just gone six, "Go get Fletcher to feed you," she sinks back into her soft pillow knowing that Fletcher will deal with her cat.
Fletcher is the fifth generation of house elf that has worked for the family but only the second to be free, he stays because he wants to and despite his misgivings her father even pays him. He is an excellent cook and Gwen loves him like he's a member of the family.
She goes back to sleep and in her dreams she is at Hogwarts with her Severus. It is a pleasant dream that soon turns sour as Bella arrives and steals him. She wakes up in a cold sweat and runs herself a bath to try to calm her. It's amazing how much good a good old soak can do and by the time that Fletcher calls for her she has regained her Christmas spirit.
"Good morning miss," he smiles. His voice is creaky with age as is his back.
"Good morning Fletcher," she beams back following him down the spiral stairs to the dining room. She always wanted to eat in the kitchen as a child favouring the company of the servants over the formality of eating with her father and the endless codes of conduct.
He stands, "Good morning Gwyneth," he nods in a way that isn't exactly happy.
She kisses his cheek, "You too father," she sits laying the napkin on her lap. The long mahogany table is full with fruit and cereals, there is too much for just the two of them and she sighs. She's going to have eat something; she picks up a grapefruit and halves it. Usually her father reads the Daily Prophet at the table and she merely pretends to eat but today his eyes are on her.
She starts to scoop out the flesh with the silver spoon; she isn't stupid she knows her relationship with food isn't healthy but she just can't face eating. She forces the fruit down and can picture Severus' face in her mind all full of concern. He wouldn't want her to be unhealthy; he would want her to be strong. There isn't even any conversation to hide behind; one does not talk at the table. Merlin she wants to be back at the school where every meal is full of noise and chaos.
They finish breakfast, "what plans do you have for the day?" He asks.
"Studying," she answers knowing that any other answer would get her into trouble.
"Brilliant," he smiles, "I've a few errands that I wanted you to do for the dinner party, I have a list but you will have to go to Gringotts to take out the required funds."
"Yes father," she nods glad for a reason to be outside even if last minute shopping on Christmas Eve isn't exactly the best thing in the world. She takes the list and travels via flue powder to Diagon Alley.
She stands up dusting herself off wishing that she could apperate already. She shoves her hands inside her fur coat because the wind is chilly. She walks amongst the crowd towards the bank; the bank is a very imposing building that still manages to make her feel so very small in its shadow. The bank unlike the muggles never closes, there are decorations however indicating the season. The Llewellyn vault is a short trip by cart and is as large as it is well stacked.
"Father wanted this much exactly," she says handing the dwarf the parchment.
"Of course," he goes and gets the right amount.
"Thank you," she smiles taking the money.
She leaves the bank and starts her shopping. She stops by the Leaky Cauldron because she needs a drink of Butter beer to warm her up. The Cauldron is full but she manages to find a little table in the corner by the fire where she can keep an eye on the door.
The door opens and in stroll Potter and Black sharing a joke between them. Gwen tries to hide and not to stare but when he's laughing Sirius looks even hotter, she hates that she still finds him so attractive. She's no naive child so she knows the difference between a simple crush and love but things would be a lot easier if her legs didn't turn to jelly as soon as she looks at him.
"Oh look its Gwenie," James smiles as they sit opposite her, "On your own?" He asks.
"Sev spends Christmas at Hogwarts," she answers. She hasn't really spoken to them off the pitch since the incident in Hogsmead and she has to admit that she misses them. They may be annoying and pig headed but they've been her friends for years. "I wish you could just accept us as a couple, it would make life a bit easier."
"But it's Snape," James shudders, "Have you...well you know?"
She smiles, "That would be between me and Severus," she answers. She knows exactly what it is that he's asking and she hasn't done that yet, at least not with Severus.
"Oh so that's a big ole no," Sirius teases smiling, "Although the thought of you and him doing that is enough to put me of my drink."
"He's really lovely when you get to know him, he brought me this for Christmas," she smiles showing them the necklace, "Isn't it pretty."
"Oh yeah Snape's the best," James glares. "He must only pretend to be a dick." He mutters under his breath making Sirius laugh.
"And you don't?" She smiles, "Come on guys I know it's crazy but I do love him and he makes me happy."
"So you're pleading insanity as defence?" Sirius asks, he's been reading Peter's muggle crime novels and it's affected his brain.
"What?" She asks, "I don't need a defence, I've not broken any rules that exist outside of your head. Look fellas I'm going to go, you two have a great holiday and I'll see you back at school, okay?" She finishes her drink and goes back to her shopping.
The Hogwarts express pulls into Hogsmead station and the students get off the red train. Gwen is arm in arm with Lily as they catch up; Petunia was being a right cow as usual but otherwise everything was good in the Evans household and Gwen doesn't go into too much detail because she hates her life. There is however one good thing about her holiday and it's waiting for her at the school; she gets to be reunited with her love.
Severus watches the parade of students arrive from the clock tower. He has been doing a lot of thinking this past two weeks and the thoughts in his head have not been pleasant. He has to make a choice.
Bella wearing a slinky black dress made of lace curls herself around him, "She's not like us Severus," she smiles. "She's a Gryffindor, they don't have what it takes to be truly great not like us and she might be a pure blood but look she chooses to be friends with."
"Mugbloods and blood-traitors," Malfoy answers for him. He doesn't particularly like Severus but the boy has potential, all that anger and suspicion could make him a perfect brother if he is well groomed. "Including Potter and Black," he has interest in the boys but Gwen, well she is family.
Severus growls. Since he started Potter and his friends have made his life hell, it was only Lily who cared and who helped but now even she isn't there and he blames that on them. Then there was Gwen. She is like a light in the dark and to suddenly lose that one joy to Sirius is more than he can bear. He would do anything to keep her by his side.
"Do you want to keep her Severus?" Malfoy asks his voice as slippery as the snake that represents their house. "Does she mean so much to you that you're willing to do whatever it takes?" He loves it when a plan comes together.
Severus nods, "Yes, I would do anything."
"Then let us help you," Bella smiles stroking his cheek. "Come on love let's try to snare your girl back, pretty little thing isn't she?" She leads him to the Slytherin dorms.
Malfoy follows them with a big liquid smile on his pale face.