The months dragged on and it felt like it was going slow on purpose. Riddle and I kept in constant contact throughout these months and I was glad for it. Luckily for him time was flying.

Christmas soon approached and the orphanage was a depressing sight as the children roamed around the room staring gloomily out windows as outsiders put their decorations up. Many didn't believe Santa existed simply because he rarely gave them what they wanted; actually he never gave them what they wanted.

As usual I received my weekly owl from Riddle:

Dearest Bethany,

You should see how spectacular Hogwarts looks! Never have I seen such fine decorations! The trees too are amazing and stand in every corner of the great hall. How I wish you were here to see it!

I know the orphanage doesn't do much in the way of Christmas; it must be awful there, I pity you.

How are you coping by the way? Your letters are full of sadness and I often wonder how the others treat you. I could always return for Christmas? Maybe that would stop your suffering?

Well, keep warm wont you? The snow here has been falling thick and we had to stay inside. How is the weather back there? I have been dying to get out into the snow so that I could at least throw a hard snowball at my enemies faces.

Oh and as to your last question; I passed every exam and was top of every class though secretly I think that's what the teachers expected. Defence Against The Dark Arts was easy!

But I must conclude here, I will await your reply and I hope that you have much more to tell me and that you are slightly more cheerful.

Love,

Tom.

As usual I wrote my reply on the back and sent the owl on its way feeling gloomier than ever. I insisted that he stay at Hogwarts for Christmas as the orphanage was cold and extremely depressing and not as warm or as welcoming as Hogwarts sounded.

I couldn't help but envy him. Being cooped up indoors for a long time does nothing for the soul. How I longed for the sun….and for Riddle.

Once I had managed to get free of the orphanage and roam up and down the street listening to the carolers then at dusk gasp in amazement as the street lit up with multi coloured lights. Not as spectacular as Hogwarts sounded but still breath taking.

On Christmas eve I sat alone on my bed watching the snow fall silently onto the window ledge as quietly the lights switched off for the night and all was white. The streets were bare and icy cold and my breath fogged the window and for a second I could almost picture Riddle standing in the snow.

Around midnight a wind whistled outside and my room turned into an ice cube as I shivered beneath my thin blanket. Sleep was not an option; I wasn't going to get any anyway.

Somehow I had managed to fall asleep.

I lay with my eyes closed knowing it was morning but not wanting to get up; I was too comfortable and no one was bringing me presents anyway so I didn't need to get up.

A gentle hand brushed a strand of auburn hair from my cheek and my eyes fluttered open.

"you looked too peaceful to wake up" smiled Riddle.

Instantly I sat up believing that this was all just a dream, "but…I told you to stay at Hogwarts"

His smile widened "since when have I listened to others?-you look pale" he added.

"You should have stayed" I muttered "it's horrible here"

"Your letters made me concerned, I had to see if you were okay-you should have seen the other children's faces when they saw me walk through the door!" he giggled.

"I'm not dreaming am I?" I asked rather pathetically.

He smiled a little kinder "no-look here! I bring gifts"

He had a large brown parcel in his hand which he promptly placed on my lap. My cheeks went warm again.

"I didn't get you anything"

"Seeing you alive is enough" he smiled "now open it"

Carefully I opened the gift and pulled out what looked like a bunch of sweets and a long electric blue robe at least that's what I think it was.

"Matches your eyes see?" smiled Riddle holding the robe up to my eyes "it's what wizards wear in my world."

"It's beautiful" I ran my hands over the material "but what are 'Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans'?" I asked picking up and oddly shaped sweetie parcel.

He giggled "try one"