Cedric rolled his eyes when he heard Avery's dreamy sigh. She had just gotten a letter from her parents, probably telling her where they were going for Christmas.

"Where are they going this year?"

"Moscow. Mum has always wanted to go there."

"Wish you could go?" he asked.

"Of course, but those are their romantic getaways. I'm fine with staying here. What about you?"

"Dad convinced Mum to bring us to Paris. So that's where we're going."

"Oh, you'll love it. We used to every summer!"

"Okay, so what do you want for Christmas?"

Avery smirked and cooed sweetly, "Would little Cedric like to knit a hat for me?"

Cedric punched her arm lightly and opened his mail. Avery frowned when a paper bird landed in front of her. She unfolded the creases and read: Do you ever cry when your brother speaks American? Rolling her eyes, she climbed off the bench and walked over to the Gryffindor table. Fred and George were talking happily with their younger brother and his friends.

"Really, Fred?"

One twin grinned as the other glared. George was really starting to reciprocate Avery's hatred. His brother was actually spending time with her, months after their tutoring ended! He didn't like sharing Fred, especially with that girl.

"Well I knew you would come over here."

She shook her head in good humor. "I'm staying here for the holidays."

"Well that was quite random. Don't know why you would want to divulge that information to me. Nevertheless I'm glad you did. We're staying as well!"

She grinned at that. So it wouldn't just be her and Alle stuck there for the holidays.

"Well I guess I'll be seeing you all then."

Dearest Alle,

We do sincerely hope that you are enjoying your time at boarding school. Enclosed in this package we have included your Christmas present, not to be opened until the morning of the 25th as you know. We're sure you know this means that we will be off on an adventure during the holiday season. Of course you are always welcome to stay at the house, but we know how much you love your school.

Happy Holidays

Mom and Dad

Alle set the letter down and couldn't help but to smirk. This was the third year in a row that she would be spending Christmas at Hogwarts. Most muggle families take great joy in spending Christmas together, but not the Jones. To them "Every day we spend together is Christmas" which apparently justifies leaving your daughter alone. "Danny will be there to celebrate with you" was the excuse of second year, and then Avery was there. Alle still could not figure out why her cousin chose to stay when her parents invited her to join them on fantastic trips around the world every year, but here she was. Hey at least they gave her three class days of warning. Third year she was packed and ready when she got the letter on the day she was supposed to leave. She haphazardly folded the letter up once again and stuffed it in her bag. Following this she gently pushed her half full plate forward and stood to leave the Great Hall.

"Again?" asked the voice of her only somewhat friend. Alle stole a quick glance back down at the girl before shrugging quickly, heaving her way out of the Great Hall.

She knew she expected it, but the only thing to do to distract herself from the situation was obviously to go to the library.

"Hello Miss Jones," Madame Pince smiled at the girl as she walked by, but Alle was too determined to reach the legal section to notice. No one ever came to the legal section and she was overly grateful for that.

She sat violently, half throwing her bag to the ground. She would not let tears fall for tears were signs of unnecessary weakness and she was not unnecessarily weak. Alle carefully choked back a sob wiping her cheeks with her sleeves. Idiot.

She was too busy feeling sorry for herself to notice her visitor. He snuck in quietly, hesitating at first in the presence of a sobbing girl. His feet as silent as the wind, the Slytherin boy searched for a book on history of dark magic department laws. It may have looked stereotypical, but he had different intentions in mind. His cousin would never understand that he did not have the right, that none of them did, but there was nothing that the poor Slytherin boy could do. After he found his selection he contemplated running away without ever having made his presence known, for the brunette girl's head was buried in her knees. He held his head back in deliberation for a moment before pacing over to the long wooden table of the legal section, pulling out a chair across from the girl.

Hearing the scraping sound of the chair in front of her Alle froze. Seriously? She wanted to scream in frustration with the fact that someone would A) come to the legal section and B) have the audacity to sit here. So she said nothing, she didn't look up, and she didn't move.

"You know if you sit like that for too long you'll become petrified," the boy said calmly after a minute or two, leaning back in his chair. Alle recognized the voice, but was too indifferent to care what he thought. She wiped her moist cheeks on her knees and put her head up.

"Coming to the legal section can do that too," she replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Eh I like to live on the dangerous side," the boy said, following her gaze. "Though," he started, "I think if I you glare at me like that for too long that could do the trick too." There was nothing extraordinary about the conversation, but the corner of Alle's lip turned up into the faintest smile. "Oh don't get too excited Jonsie I was just leaving," the boy began, picking up the book and pushing out of his chair. "Dexter can't be left alone for too long, as I'm sure you know." The goofy grin on his face was enough to almost elicit a laugh from her.

"You don't have to tell me about that one," Alle replied, putting her feet back on the floor as her unlikely acquaintance backed away.

"Happy Christmas, Jonsie," Nathaniel laughed, walking in the other direction away from the legal section.

"Happy Christmas, Malfoy," Alle mumbled, rearranging her things and getting up as well.

Alle and Avery sat on parallel benches on Christmas Eve. They were facing each other while still being at their own respective tables. Their heads bowed together, the two cousins talked quietly about tomorrow. They had a tradition, one Danny started years ago. They would open one present in the morning alone, then would open the rest together at dinner.

"Just one, Avery," Alle reminded like always.

She rolled her eyes at Avery's offended expression and got up to head to bed. Her cousin grabbed a wrapped box and rounded her table to reach the Weasleys.

"Here you go, Fred," she said by way of greeting.

He reached to take it, but she quickly snatched it away again, a smirk etched firmly on her face. A frown marred his features.

"Tomorrow, Weasley."

"You're killing me, Lemaire," he whined.

She just waved and left the Great Hall.

Avery woke up alone. No one else from Hufflepuff had stayed. No one had woken her up with their excited squeals. She got up naturally around noon and entered the warm common room. Under the healthy tree were presents, all for her. She carefully searched for Danny's present. Of course it was buried at the very bottom of the pile. She tore it open, surprised to see an outfit neatly folded inside the box. He would usually send her Quidditch posters signed by American players. Why had he suddenly sent her a dress?

Alle stared at the roof of her bed for a whole hour thinking. If she had the entire break here at Hogwarts then what was she doing spending that time in the Great Hall? Avery's there. Well Avery could also be in the library. But Avery doesn't like the library. Well Avery can't always get her way. But you love Avery. Ugh.

She rolled out of her bed, careful to leave the covers where they're meant to be. Upon stumbling around for a minute she remembered her present. She didn't have to look long to find the one she was looking for. There were only four presents.

She couldn't wait, Danny always knew what she needed. She laughed to herself, pulling back the haphazard wrapping paper, Danny never did learn. One year Alle was skeptical of the origin of the gift because of the fantastic wrapping skills but she later learned that Danny had a girlfriend that year who had helped him out.

When she finally removed the last bit of paper her jaw dropped. A makeup kit? Was this a sign? Alle actually laughed now.

Dear Albert,

I hope you're having a wonderful time being a stiff at Hogwarts because well that's what you do. You need to get a boyfriend. What about that Percy boy. He has a cute butt. Wear some of this today or else. I'll know. I'm sure Avery will tell me all about how gorgeous the great Alle Jones looked on Christmas morning. Just looking out for you Albert. Seriously though. Happy Christmas

Danny

Oh Merlin, Alle thought to herself, he's going to be the death of me. After pulling herself together and putting on a classic blouse and skirt she lined her eyelids and painted her lips after lengthening her eyebrows. Oh Danny was going to pay. Despite what most would think she had plenty of experience with makeup, she too liked to look pretty sometimes. She grabbed her three remaining presents and Avery's present then scurried down to the Great Hall to meet up with Avery.

Humming a familiar tune, Avery dressed herself in Danny's gift. After all, why let it go to waste? She was still growing, and it wouldn't fit next year. Avery tugged on a pair of stockings before grabbing her bag of presents, Alle's and Fred's safely tucked inside. Making sure she had everything, she started dragging the bag to the Great Hall.

When Alle entered the Hall, was empty except the scattered few around each of the tables, except Hufflepuff. There was a soft whistle from the Gryffindor table, which she ignored, as she slid onto the Ravenclaw bench. Maybe she was glowing. Phosphorescence? She didn't feel as though she was infested with bacteria. She kicked the sack of presents near her feet, slipping the black flats off of her feet and swinging them back and forth. Avery was late as usual.

When the girl finally hopped in Alle was shocked to see her in a dress, it was beautiful. Danny was probably having fun wreaking havoc.

Fred noticed Alle waiting patiently at the Ravenclaw table. Deciding it was Avery who was supposed to meet Alle, he joined his brothers and Harry to eat dinner. He was well into his second helping when he heard George choke on his pumpkin juice.

There, standing in the large doorway was Avery. She was in a dress, and her hair was actually down for once. There was something missing though… only stockings adorned her feet. Behind her was a bag, much like the one at Alle's feet.

"You're late," Alle called. "And missing shoes apparently."

Avery shrugged and dropped the bag. She slid onto the bench beside Alle and gave her a one-armed hug.

"Happy Christmas to you too, Alle."

"Avery's in a dress," George said to Fred. "An actual dress. Why is she in a dress?"

"Shouldn't you be more focused on the fact that Alle is actually wearing makeup and smiling?" Fred teased.

His twin shot him a glare before ignoring the cousins altogether. Meanwhile, at the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables, Avery was eagerly handing Alle her present. She had spent weeks deliberating over it, finally getting around to buying, which wasn't exactly easy when one was stuck at school, and wrapping it. In the end, she had gotten Cedric to get it from Hogsmeade after she had learned one store had it in stock.

"Is it a puppy?," Alle asked her with a highly amused expression on her face.

"Just open it already!"

Not wanting her cousin to have an aneurysm, Alle unwrapped the small box. Avery's face was practically a tomato as she leaned forward in anticipation. Once the package was opened, Alle raised an eyebrow and started laughing. Avery's face, if it was even possible, become redder at her cousin's reaction.

"I suppose I'll be getting a pen next year," the Ravenclaw teased.

"Excuse me, but I put a lot of thought into that gift!" Avery huffed furiously before trying to calm herself down. "You could at least pretend to be grateful."

"Avery, I was just joking. It's nice. I could always use an extra quill."

With a roll of her eyes, Avery told her, "It's not just a quill. It writes whatever you're thinking, so you don't have to worry about not writing as fast as your professors talk."

Alle smiled at her cousin. She had to admit, it was a sensible gift. It was certainly something Alle had good use for, and Avery knew that. After tucking the quill away safely, Alle handed Avery her own present. Avery's eyes almost immediately lit up. She always enjoyed tearing open the wrapping paper. However she remembered her manners and carefully slid the bow off the box before eagerly ripping away the paper. After lifting the lid off, Avery saw a ribbon colored one half blue and the other yellow. Her fingers lightly touched the fabric but jerked back when the ribbon suddenly came alive. A grin spread across Avery's face when it magically tied her hair in a ponytail.

"Alle, it's amazing," she breathed in awe. Avery was so busy touching the bow in her hair that she neglected to notice the slip of paper that was also in the package.

"Mmmhmmm," Alle cleared her throat, her lips a thin line. She gestured her head downward, eyeing the paper. Avery saw this action and picked up the sheet, reading it aloud.

Wand held on edge of ribbon. Say "Ligabis ad caput sempre" then the spell is set. Happy Christmas.

"This is the spell to charm all of your other ribbons to do the same," Alle exclaimed proudly.

"Wow… well that's impressive. Did you create the spell yourself?"

"Yes," she replied while trying to hide her self-satisfied smirk.

"That's amazing, Alle. Thank you!" Avery dug around her bag before taking out yet another box. "I'm just going to give Fred his present, okay? I'll be back soon."

With that being said, she took off skipping towards the Gryffindor table. She spotted the Weasleys all clustered together, but Harry Potter was alone in front of the fire. Avery supposed he just wanted to be left with his thoughts.

"Happy Christmas, Fred," she said once she was right behind the ginger. "Here's your present."

He took the carefully wrapped box and quickly tore it away. He was curious to see what sort of presents Avery gave… and he just wanted to open another gift. His mouth twisted in confusion when he saw a notebook settled on top of the tissue.

"Well… um thank you for the… notebook," he told her uncertainly.

"It's a muggle thing. Here, start flipping the pages from the back like this." She demonstrated the action and watched as he mimicked.

His eyes widened as the pages illustrated some sort of moving picture book. A picture book that not only included himself, but George as well.

"Do you like it? I couldn't think of anything to buy you, so I just sort of… drew that." Avery ducked her head in embarrassment.

"I've never seen anything like it. Thank you, Avery." His cheeks started to heat up in shame. "Now I'm sort of ashamed of my present for you. It's nothing like what Alle gave you, or what you just gave me. Just… here." He shoved a folded piece of wrapping paper into her hands.

Avery frowned at her friend disapprovingly. Did he seriously think she was that shallow? Unbelievable. Nonetheless she unfolded the paper and stared disbelievingly at her present. She wasn't even sure if she was allowed to have this. There, sitting in her hands, was a ribbon. However it was a Gryffindor ribbon.

"Fred… you're giving me something from your own house?" Fred nodded hesitantly in reply. "I don't even know what to say."

"Look, I know it's not the great-"

"Sh!"

"Well I just mean after what Alle got you, it's-"

"Fred Weasley, I just told you to stop talking!" She clamped a hand over his mouth and grinned at him. "Thank you! This present… it's amazing. So don't go talking about how it isn't good, because then you'd just be lying through your teeth." Avery hugged Fred tightly before warily patting George's shoulder. "Happy Christmas!"