Athena awoke that morning to the smell of hot chocolate. She checked her phone, and it was 8 am, a perfectly reasonable time for her to go pounding on Jethro's door, demanding he hang out with her.
She got up and quickly got dressed, putting on the sweater Molly had made her, and a pair of baggy black sweatpants. Getting Delilah into hers, she grabbed the steaming cup of cocoa that was sweetly placed on her bedside table.
She was sipping on the drink when she walked into the common-room, Delilah running ahead of her, when her jaw dropped, nearly spilling her drink.
There were four presents under the tree, two for each of them, and there were two stockings above the warmly burning hearth. She felt tears prick her eyes, when she saw Jethro step out of the boys dorms, a smug grin on his face. He leaned against the doorway, sipping on his own cup of cocoa. She grinned and set her cup down, sitting down in front of the hearth, and he sat across from her, handing her her stocking and presents.
"You first!" She said, motioning for him to open his presents.
"How we open them together?" He offered, his brows raised.
She nodded eagerly, and they tore open their first green-wrapped presents, and a smile graced their faces when they realized it was some things from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. There were Self-Inking quills, Otters Fizzy Orange Juice, and a Tiny Twister. They grinned and high-fived. McGonanall was probably going to regret the last gift. They were gonna figure out how to free their tornadoes.
Their second gift was obviously from Professor Sharp, it contained leather-bound journals with their names inscribed on the front in green ink, and it was only openable by them. There were also inkwells, and and a brand-new quill for them each.
Onto stockings, which were full of parchment and small knicknacks, and a few bits of candy. Athena laughed heartily when the majority of hers was actually rabbit toys, and his were cat toys.
Speaking of cats, out walked a behemoth, the cat had to weigh at least 25 pounds. The cat stalked over, and Athena was about to grab Delilah, the cat plopped down, right next to the rabbit, and immediately started grooming the animal.
That cat was very large, the fur long and silky looking. The ears were huge and pointed, and the colorings were smoke grey and white.
"There you are, Max!" Said Jethro, putting one of his stocking stuffers onto the beast. It was a regal-looking green and silver collar, with an "M" tag hanging from it with a small snake charm.
Athena pulled out a green santa hat, with a silver ball on the end. It was obviously made with with Delilah in mind, because it was very small, with slits in the sides for ears, and a strap underneath to keep it in place. The two students grinned at eachother and Athena was securing the hat onto the rabbit's head, Professor Sharp walked in, looking at the two students surrounded by wrapping paper, playing with their animals and laughing.
"Children, brunch is ready if you are." They scrambled up, and as they were walking out, Athena turned and gave Professor Sharp a hug, which the woman returned warmly.
Brunch was being served at the Hufflepuff table, and Athena and Jethro walked over, sitting across from eachother. Athena sat beside Leon, who would every few minutes sneak his hand out to pet Delialh, much to Athena's amusement.
It was a few minutes in, when Leon Chance, fourth-year from Hufflepuff, and Katie Grath, fifth-year from Ravenclaw both stood up.
"We'd like to sing a song, if you all wouldn't mind?" They all clapped, encouraging them. Leon was tall, well over six feet, and everyone was sure he was hiding a body sent from the gods underneath his robes. Right now, he was wearing a plain white t-shirt and black pajama bottoms.
Katie was about 5'4, and she had a naturally beautiful face. She wore not a hint of makup, and everyone could see how nervous she was. Her light hazel eyes were bright, and her teeth dug into her lower lip. Leon started, his voice deep, and a bit thick, like he was holding back a few tears.
Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
It was an Elvis song that Athena knew immediately. The couple stared at eachother, their eyes meeting, and the entire hall was entranced. They had been dating for two years, and they were still going strong. Katie joined in this time, and Athena smiled at her sweet, gentle voice.
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin?
If I can't help falling in love with you
Athena got up, and slowly started dancing with Delilah, spinning in slow circles. Jethro took her queue and he grabbed Maximillian, who had followed them, surely looking for scraps. They danced with their animals, and the teachers at the head of the hall chuckled softly.
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
some things are meant to be
take my hand, take my whole life too
for I can't help falling in love with you
Katie and Leon started to slowly dance too, smiling at each other, their eyes shining brightly
For I can't help falling in love with you
Leon placed a light kiss upon Katie's lips, and Athena kissed the top of Delilah's head. Everyone in the room clapped, and Athena was pretty sure she saw Professor Sharp wipe her eyes.
Athena walked over to the two who had sang, and she sat by them, smiling shyly.
"I-, Um... Professor Flitwick was talking about Choir.. He said he'd do something for auditions... You guys should do it? Join choir, I mean." Her face was pink, and she was nervously petting Delilah.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea! Who else would be trying out?" Katie asked, her face kind and her eyes looking interested.
"I-Uh, oh.. Um.. I haven't talked to anyone else, b-but I'd be trying out... Not sure I'd get in though." She said rubbing the back of her neck bashfully.
"Maybe before you try out, you should sing in front of an audience?" Leon offered, smiling at her.
Her eyes widened and she shook her head, laughing.
"Oh, I could never..."
Suddenly Jethro was leaning over her shoulder, grinning evilly.
"You could never what? Fall for my dastardly good looks? Because you're a bit too late for that." He winked at her, and she pushed his face away, laughing heartily.
"She's talking about choir and she's saying she wants to try out, and we're trying to get her to sing for us but she's refusing." Katie said, and Athena shot her a glare, that was met with an innocent smile.
"Oh? Come on, Athena! There's only.." He counted the people around them. "Nine of us, not including you. Please? They sang!" He said, pointing to the couple. Athena took a deep sigh and gave in.
"Fine, but I need someone to play a ukele for me." She said firmly, and Jethro's face lit up.
"Accio Ukele" He whispered, and the Great Hall's doors opened, and the instrument flew into his hands.
"I knew those dumb lessons would come in handy." He said, and Athena's face fell. She really thought that no one would know how to play that instrument. Bollocks.
"Fine. Fine fine fine fine fine." She muttered, and Leon got everyone's attention. When they were all focused on her, and she told Jethro what song she was doing, and thanking the Gods above he knew it.
She took a deep breath, and she sang, her voice wavering a bit before she found her confidence.
I just want to be okay, be okay, be okay
I just want to be okay today
I just want to be okay, be okay, be okay,
I just want to be okay today
The girls from Ravenclaw all stood up, and started dancing, grinning and smiling.
I just want to feel today, feel today, feel today
I just want to feel something today
I just want to feel today, feel today, feel today
I just want to feel something today
She held Delilah, holding her and staring into the rabbit's warm, loving chocolate coloured eyes. She smiled, her heart filling with love.
Open me up and you will see
I'm a gallery of broken hearts
I'm beyond repair, let me be
And give me back my broken parts
I just want to know today, know today, know today
I just want to know something today
I just want to know today, know today, know today
Know that maybe I will be okay
Jethro leaned his back against her, and she ignored the soft ache the action caused. He was pressed againt her still un-healed wounds, but she liked the feeling of him touching her.
Open me up and you will see
I'm a gallery of broken hearts
I'm beyond repair, let me be
And give me back my broken parts
Just give me back my pieces
Just give them back to me please
Just give me back my pieces
And let me hold my broken parts
Everyone was up and dancing to the almost melancholy tune, and Athena smiled, leaning her head back onto Jethro's shoulder.
Cause I just want to be okay, be okay, be okay.
I just want to be okay today
I just want to be okay, be okay, be okay,
I just want to be okay today.
I just want to feel today, feel today, feel today
I just want to feel something today
I just want to know today, know today, know today
Know that maybe I will be okay,
Know that maybe I will be okay,
Know that maybe I will be okay.
Everyone turned and started clapping, and Athena saw McGonagall staring at her, a knowing, sad look in her eyes. Athena gave her a sad smile.