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

Year Three: Still Standing

A pillow sailed through the air and squarely hit the back of Daphne's head. Glaring, she turned to face the only other person in the Slytherin Common Room. Tracey — decked out in red and green, with a sprig of mistletoe tucked into her braid that had been there since the early morning — stuck out her tongue, before expertly dodging the cushion thrown back her way.

"Merlin, Tracey," she grumbled. "Haven't you heard of peace on earth and goodwill?"

"No," Tracey replied primly. Her eyes sparkled, somewhat mischievously, in the light from the fireplace. "And anyway, you were becoming far too introspective. You know that's not good for you. You get all sad and stuff."

Daphne scowled at her friend, which caused the petite brunette to laugh.

"Come on," Tracey begged, pulling her off the couch. "Please? Let's do something fun."

"I don't want to," Daphne muttered.

Christmastime this year had already been hard for her. Last year had been rough — being, for all intents and purposes, disowned was a disaster — but her parents hadn't had time to take back her gifts. This year, she hadn't received so much as a letter from her family. No invitation home, just … nothing. She couldn't care less about not getting presents, though.

What hurt her infinitely more was that it felt like she was no longer their daughter. It felt like she no longer had a family.

Daphne was pulled out of her thoughts by her friend's voice.

"You're being far too morose for…" Tracey said, looking down at her watch. "…eight hours, 23 minutes, and 42 seconds until Christmas. I know it's hard, but you're still here. They can't knock you down."

She said the last part tenderly, and Daphne couldn't help but smile.

"Okay, fine," she acquiesced, as Tracey squealed in delight. "What did you have in mind?"

"Caroling!"

"Ugh," Daphne groaned, as the excited brunette handed her a few sheets of parchment. "Really?"

"Oh, shut up," Tracey replied. "I know you can sing. I've heard you in the showers." Daphne watched as her friend abruptly stopped talking and blushed. She felt her own cheeks flush.

Curse those dorm bathrooms and the lack of privacy.

"Anyway," Tracey said quickly, her cheeks still a pretty shade of pink, "this will be fun. Trust me."

The two made their way out of the dorm, preparing the order of the songs, when Daphne suddenly thought of something.

"Trace," she asked, "why have you been wearing mistletoe in your hair all day?"

The brunette blushed harder.

Prompt — Day 8: (dialogue) "Haven't you heard of peace on earth and goodwill?" / "No."

Word count (not including title and author's notes): 421