To Build a Home

by desertredwolf

Seven years of Christmas holidays at Hogwarts, through the eyes of two often overlooked Slytherin girls: Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis. There's friendship and romance, but more importantly, it's about the journey of discovering that 'home' is more than a place. Eventual Daphne/Tracey. [A series of 24 connected oneshots and drabbles.]

3. First Year: Sweet Silver Bells

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All rights go to respective owners.

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First Year: Sweet Silver Bells

"It sounds to me like someone needs to sing a Christmas carol!"

Daphne groaned and buried her face in her hands.

"Tracey, please. I have to study! Classes start tomorrow and I have to do well—" she said, trying to explain her prickly mood.

"Come on, Daphne! I promise it will help!"

"Tracey, I don't want to—" Daphne said, before a strand of small jingle bells being sharply shaken in her face interrupted her.

"Gaily they ring, while people sing, songs of good cheer; Christmas is here," Tracey's clear alto sang out, echoing through the mostly empty common room.

"Trace, Christmas was last week!"

"Merry, merry, merry, merry, Christma—"

"Silencio!"

The spell expertly and immediately suppressed Tracey's singing. The two first year Slytherins spun around to find a glaring seventh year pointing his wand at them from across the room.

Tracey glared at the seventh year, before ringing the bells defiantly in his direction.

Stifling laughter, Daphne closed her school books and dragged Tracey towards the common room entrance, before things escalated further.

"Come on, Tracey. Let's go to the library and find a good counter spell for you."

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Prompt — Day 3: (dialogue) "It sounds to me like someone needs to sing a Christmas carol."

Word count (not including title and author's notes): 192