November passed in a haze with nothing but schoolwork to keep the children occupied. The weather became too bad for quidditch lessons about three weeks in much to the annoyance and disappointment of many children. Though teachers didn't seem to care as they piled on more and more work claiming they were 'preparing' them for winter examinations which included all material covered from September to the second week in December where not a few days after that they would sit their exams and then given the option of returning home for the break or staying within the castle walls.
Tom and Ailill already knew their decision would be to stay at Hogwarts until their currently being renovated cottage was done. The goblins claimed it should be fit to move in come summer and Tom has been nothing but jumping in his skin about it. A place for him and Ailill, just them! It's like practice for when they wed when older.
The rest of the first years were heading home to spend Yule with their families, it was considered bad manners to invite someone to Yule if they have not already met the family so the boy's of Slyhrerin already made plans to have the Peverell and Slytherin heirs visit their manors in the summer so that they may be able to spend Yule in their second year together. They were all very excited about it.
When December came like a blizzard wind and knocked all hat from the dungeons where they slept many boys fought to sleep in each other's beds not wanting to brave the cold by themselves. They split themselves up into two groups, three to a bed. Everyone knew Peverell and Slytherin came as a package so there was a brawl to see who would get to be the third in their party. It was a fierce battle with a resulting champion of Malfoy claiming the spot. He was like a cat that got both the cream and the canary. The blond was shot sour looks for the rest of the day because of that.
When night fell Ailill was situated in the middle just because he didn't trust Tom to not kick Abraxas from the bed during the night. He's glad he runs naturally a bit cooler than most because otherwise, he might have overheated by being squished by two furnaces, like seriously what on earth were these boys burning to emit such heat.
The morning after they created this arrangement Ailill was left to become a cuddling pillow for both boys. Come morning he was wide awake with his bedmates dead to the world. Avery upon waking up cracked up laughing seeing the suffering face of Ailill. He snorted so hard he actually made himself fall onto the floor leading to a laughing round from Black and Lestrange. Their laughter by some miracle didn't wake up Abraxas and Tom so Avery being a kind, gentle, savoring soul carefully stepped on the bed being mindful of legs, and reached out his arms to grasp Ailill's own and haul him from the covers quickly. The movement did wake the other two up making them simmer in irritation.
Maybe another time Ailill would have comforted them but as of that day, the winter break exams start so everyone was rushing about cramming last minute or getting dress while reciting material to themselves. Even Tom wasn't excluded, he gripped a summary sheet in front of him and had his hand grip Ailill's so the boy could lead him around. After stuffing some food into Tom Ailill dragged him to the transfiguration classroom where Dumbledore waited with stacks of paper for the written part of the examination to commence.
Ailill made a deal with Tom to do his best on exams and then he can slack off for class tests. He's got his hair braided courtesy of the Slytherin heir and his favourite quill ready, he was even promised head scratches later! The exam was a forty-five-minutes continuously writing questionnaire covering a multitude of different things they had been learning about for the past few months and Ailill can confidently claim that he aced the exam, even the extra credit questions. He thinks Tom would be right there with him when it comes to marks especially after helping the other boy study for days on end.
After transfiguration which ended with dumbledore collecting the test and raising an eyebrow after seeing Ailill's filled-up page. Potions were next, this was the practical exam with the written being in a few days' time. They were to make a sleeping draught in order to be graded, much like every other time they brew Tom and Ailill's were perfect getting a happy crowing from Slughorn who all but beamed with pride seeing his prodigious first years.
The week of exams was stress-filled and full of cranky students. However, when it was done it was like the sun rose from behind the clouds and everyone was in such a cheery mood. A bit too much for Tom's taste as he watched a far too touchy Black hang off from Ailill's waist as they headed back to the common room for a celebratory evening with the burden of exams lifted from their shoulders.
When they were in the common room the whole place was already in full swing, food was laid out on tables and some of the older students had a small glass of fire whiskey in their hands faces flushed and spirits high.
"Ayeeee first years! How were your first set of exams?!" Some older student called out after catching sight of the little ones.
"It was horrible!" Black cried dramatically shoving his face into an amused Ailill's shoulder. "I have blisters from writing!"
Tom came up behind the Black family member and hip-checked him away from Ailill taking his spot not bothering to entertain the boy's wounded look even if the dark eyes cried 'I thought we were friends!'. He wounded his own arm around the Peverell's waist and led him to a chair near the fire and got him to sit down before making himself comfortable on his lap. The first years hobbled around the room nabbing food and drinks, Lestrange got something for the duo to eat and drink being rewarded with a soft thank you and gentle smile from Ailill.
The night was full of happiness and laughing students as they partied well into the night, at quarter to midnight Ailill wanted to head to bed and Tom decided to follow after him. They made their way to their shared room and prepared for settling in for the night. Once huddled under the covers Ailill was quick to fall asleep but Tom stayed awake contemplating everything that has happened in the last few months.
They get an invitation to this weird exclusive school for children with magic and get to leave the orphanage. Coming from a wealthy background but neither had parents….Tom doesn't consider his father a parent….he's a muggle. Moving on they make some friends/acquaintances all from respected families and they're the highest in marks out of the entire year. Tom and Ailill seemed to just be set up for perfection.
Tom went to sleep that night having nothing but a full heart and a beautiful dream.
The next morning the whole room was chaos as the first years ran around packing up in order to head down for breakfast and leave for the train that heads off at eleven. Clothes were strewn everywhere, books scattered on the floor, and ordinate pieces from families filled every nook and cranny. While the rest of the rooms as running in circles Tom and Ailill were calmly getting dressed and doing their hair. Their sides of the room were tidy and neat with books laid in piles and clothes packed away. When the clock hit half nine, Ailill ushered everyone from the room and made them head to breakfast. The walk to the dining hall was full of exchanged plans for the upcoming Yule and guesses on what gifts were gotten.
Ailill and Tom had owl ordered some things for their newfound friends using Ailill's funds. They got a specialised perfume picked out for them by Tom and Ailill. Black got the scent of wild cherries and sage. Malfoy got Lavender and fresh-cut grass. Lestrange got citrus lemon and pine and Avery got smoked wood with daisies.
Ailill had gotten Tom a pair of gloves that he made himself with soft wool and the prettiest silver and green design with his initials on the side. They were charmed to grow with Tom and the coloring to never fade. Tom got Ailill a necklace well it was more like a locket with the engraved words 'forever as one' on the back making it a matching pair to the bracelet he had given Tom a while back.
Tom and Ailill set off to see their classmates leave for the holidays and put on their heaviest cloaks while on their walk to the end of Hogwarts where the train awaits. It scarlet train brought back memories to a certain pair as they remembered it was their savior for leaving the dreary city slums of London and bringing them to a whole new world. The first years boarded the train and ran to a compartment so they could stick their heads out the window and wave good bye to their friends. This pulled a fond laugh from Ailill and an exasperated smile from Tom as they stood side by side as the train started to leave its docking.
Soon enough the train was gone from view and everyone else left the docking point leaving just Ailill and Tom to stand side by side and staring off into the distance.
"Life really has changed for us hasn't it, doll?"
"More than we could have ever imagined, treasure."