The month of December brought with it a thick blanket of snow that covered Hogwarts and its surrounding lands, transforming the castle into a winter wonderland. Henry found himself enjoying the winter in a way he had never before.
Orion and Henry spent their time together, studying for end-of-term exams in the library, participating in snowball fights with their friends, and stealing quiet moments by the fireside in the common room. As their friendship deepened, so did their understanding of each other.
One such night, Orion shared his fears and dreams with Henry. He spoke about his struggle with the expectations of his family, his disillusionment with the pureblood mania, and his hopes of making a difference in the world. Henry listened, his respect for Orion growing with every word. He had anticipated a lot of things when he came back in time, but finding a friend in Orion Black was not one of them.
The highlight of the winter was the Christmas Eve Ball, a tradition at Hogwarts that had faded out by the time Harry attended school. The Great Hall was transformed into a magical ballroom, with twinkling lights, enchanted snowflakes falling from the ceiling, and a grand Christmas tree. It was a night of celebration, a night of joy, and a night where Henry got to see another side of Orion.
Dressed in emerald green dress robes that complimented his hazel eyes, Henry watched as Orion, elegant in his traditional black robes, danced with a grace that was captivating. The sight made something stir within him, a warmth that spread from his chest and filled him entirely.
As the night wore on, Orion drew Henry onto the dance floor. Despite his initial protests, Henry found himself being led in a waltz. Orion's hand was warm on his waist, his touch firm yet gentle. Their eyes met and held, and in that moment, time seemed to stand still. It was just them, dancing amidst the crowd, lost in their world.
They laughed, they danced, and for that night, they forgot about everything else. Henry didn't think about his mission, his fears, or his secrets. All he saw was Orion, his eyes sparkling with happiness, his laughter echoing in his ears.
When the clock chimed midnight, marking the arrival of Christmas, Henry found himself outside the Great Hall, Orion by his side. They stood in silence, watching the snow fall gently, turning the world into a silvery wonderland.
"Merry Christmas, Henry," Orion whispered, his voice soft.
"Merry Christmas, Orion," Henry replied, a smile spreading on his face.
As they stood there, in the quiet of the night, under the silvery glow of the moon, Henry felt a sense of peace wash over him. This moment, this quiet camaraderie, this connection with Orion, felt right.
But amidst the peace and warmth, Henry knew that his mission was far from over. He was here for a reason. As he looked at Orion, a newfound resolve solidified within him. He would protect this world, his world, from the dangers that loomed over it. For Orion, for his friends, and for the magical community, he would build a sanctuary.
But that was a worry for another day. Tonight, it was Christmas, and he was here with Orion. With that thought, he squeezed Orion's hand, his gaze never leaving the mesmerizing view of the snow-covered world.
The journey ahead was long, and the road full of obstacles. But with Orion by his side, Henry felt ready to face it all. Little did he know, this was just the beginning of their journey together.