Christmas with the Oswells was once again quiet and sullen. Since the previous year had Romina staying at Hogwarts, Sage and Lyonel both wanted to give their niece a good Christmas just like they used to! So, when Romina returned home for the holidays with an even deeper reservation...things got tough. They truly believed that returning to school would have helped Romina get out of that funk she'd gotten into during the summer. They didn't know it could get worse.

First of all, they were shocked to find her hair completely changed. Lyonel had raged about it, and Romina had argued back. Eventually, Sage calmed the two and allowed Romina to keep her hair…at least for the time being. But in the end, neither Sage nor Lyonel could understand what brought this sudden desire to change herself…until Arden told them what happened at Hogwarts. And she did not keep it clean.

"That bitch Pansy Parkinson distributed pictures of Rom's parents to our entire House!"

The girl sat in the kitchen with Sage and Lyonel listening to the story. Romina was up in her room, probably sleeping or just laying in bed as she'd done for the past days. It didn't matter who she would hear, Romina never came down.

"I didn't think kids could be so cruel," Sage straightened herself up in her chair. "But then again, the Parkinsons were always a stingy family always looking for a quick way into the spotlight. Seems inheritance was strong in this girl."

"Parkinson was always annoying and rude, but this act was just...cruel," Arden continued with her story. "None of us knew that Romina looked a lot like her parents...but Pansy made sure of that."

"Romina must have found that photograph of her parents in the attic," Lyonel said, vividly remembering him being the one to send her up there last summer in the first place.

"Had she never really seen her parents before?" Arden asked them.

Sage and Lyonel glanced at each other, uneasily.

Arden's eyebrows raised. "Seriously?"

"Romina's always been very adamant that she does not want anything to do with her parents," Sage explained. "We thought that giving into her way would be better for her."

"If you ask me, she got the shock of her life last summer then," Arden said, blowing out a breath, "Because she looks a lot like them — especially her mother."

"We need to figure out a way to help Romina," Sage put her hands together and pressed them against her lips. She was worried sick over her niece and afraid of what Romina might do in a desperate moment.

"It's going to be really hard," Arden admitted with a sigh. "The whole school probably got a glimpse of the pictures before we burned them. I'm sure Pansy made copies for the train ride back."

"Burned them?" the two adults had not listened much after those words.

Arden nodded. "Mhm, burned them. Daphne, Carolinha and I collected the pictures in our common room and then Draco, Angel and myself burned them afterwards. I made sure to give Pansy a good punch across the face before leaving. Theodore had to sort of pull me back. That Blaise just watched and laughed."

"Oh...Arden…" Sage said, probably meaning to scold but the smile twitching at the corner of her lips gave her away.

"Thank you for everything," Lyonel said, admittedly feeling guilty for questioning where some of those friendship associations of Romina's might lead to. While the Parkinson girl didn't surprise him much, the Malfoy boy did.

Arden pushed her chair back and got up. "Can I see Romina? It's Christmas, afterall...maybe I can get her to come down and open presents like last year."

"You are more than welcomed to try," Sage said, motioning Arden to the living room where the staircase was. "Her presents are all untouched underneath the tree."

Arden rubbed her hands together, taking it as a challenge. "She's coming. I promise!"

~ 0 ~

Romina was laying down on her bed, still in her pajamas, facing up at the ceiling. She was listening to Arden's incessant knocking on her bedroom door but she ignored the calls.

Didn't anyone understand she wanted to be alone? She wanted to relish in the peacefulness of her room before she had to return to the hell that was Hogwarts.

Arden was not one to give up so easily. "Forget the wand!" she cheered proudly to herself after opening up the bedroom door. "All you need is a bobby pin to get into places!"

Romina reached for her blanket and pulled it over herself. "Arden, go away!"

Arden frowned at the sight of the messy room. "Romina, come downstairs. There's a load of presents for you to open!"

"I don't want them - I don't want anything!"

"And that's code for you definitely want friends and family," Arden went up to Romina's bed and crawled over it. "And since most of our friends are at their own homes, I'm going to have to fill in the role for them!" She grabbed the blanket Romina was holding onto and pulled it.

Romina's grip on it was pretty strong, and maintained a fight for a few minutes. "Arden, go home! Go celebrate Christmas with your family!"

"And leave you to rot under your covers? I think not!" Arden pulled harder, even hearing some of the threads ripping a bit. "C'mon, Romina! Don't give Pansy the satisfaction of ruining one of the best holidays!"

Romina let go of the blanket so suddenly that Arden fell off the bed with the blanket. "But that's just it, Arden!" Romina sat upright, "Pansy ruined my life!"

"As much as I hate Pansy - and I really do - she didn't ruin your life," Arden got back on her feet and left the blanket on the floor. "So she showed people your parents, big deal."

"Big deal?" Romina repeated with indignation. "Those...people…" she swallowed hard. "Those people are responsible for so many horrendous acts. It embarasses me to be their daughter."

"I understand that it's hard—"

"No, you don't understand because both your parents are good hearted people who couldn't even hurt a fly!"

"You're right about that last part - Andrew's the one who has to kill the spiders," Arden mumbled. She went to take a seat at the edge of the bed again. "But listen, the photograph thing is going to die down, just like everything else tends to do. School is a site of gossip and the next day you're going to see that people are obsessed with other news."

"But I'm never going to forget their looks," Romina's eyes shimmered with fresh tears. "The fearful, scrutinizing looks from everyone. It's like my first year all over again except this time I really do look like them!"

"And just like the first year, it's all going to fade away," Arden gently reminded. "Look, it's true that you look a hell of a lot like your parents but so what? You also look a bit like your uncle. And guess what? It doesn't matter what you look like. You, Romina, are a kind and funny girl. I mean, think about it, if you were evil would people still be your friends? Harry's written me countless letters asking about you because you won't answer his! What does that tell you?"

Romina still seemed unconvinced.

"You should have seen us working like a pack of dogs getting rid of those pictures for you!" Arden continued, and sure enough drew her friend's attention with that. "Angel was burning those things faster than I could count! And I'm sure that Theodore accidentally burned Draco's thumb - that was funny."

Romina shook her head and hid her smile behind her hands. "You shouldn't have."

"See? We all still like you and I, personally, really hate to see you like this because Parkinson decided to screw around," Arden gently pulled on Romina's arm. "Come downstairs and let's open presents like we always do. I brought mine over…"

Romina eyed the open doorway with some curiosity of what was waiting for her downstairs. She hated that she was making her aunt and uncle's Christmas surprise go bad too…

"Just...just for a little bit."

Arden squealed and promptly yanked Romina off her bed. "Let's go!"

~ 0 ~

Sage and Lyonel truly loved having Arden over. The girl was able to bring their niece downstairs for the first time after days of hassling Romina on their own. Romina was graced with warm hot chocolate while Arden started passing out presents.

"Oh look! This one's from Hermione!" Arden handed the present over to Romina. "She gave me this cute little ragdoll meant to look like me!"

Romina chuckled and unwrapped her present. She found she'd also gotten an enchanted ragdoll. As soon as she picked it up, the ragdoll morphed to look just like Romina.

"Those are really adorable," Sage came by with fresh new cups of hot chocolate for everyone. "I remember seeing them in Diagon Alley."

"I'll thank her for it when I see her," Romina said before moving onto the next ones. She'd opened up the Weasleys' present which included the famous sweater with an 'R' knitted on the front, along with a box of jelly beans she was sure came from the twins."

"How do you know?" Arden asked, leaning closer to see what made it stand out.

"Because there's a sticky note…" Romina cleared her throat and read it out loud. "We heard what Parkinson did to you and these are sure to help. One taste and she'll be breathing out fire for a week! Stay strong, Aline!" Everyone had laughed together, even Romina in the middle. "I hate them so much," she shook her head.

"It's a beautiful middle name," Sage said after Romina moved on to other presents. "It's French. You're part French, after all."

Romina paused after opening Harry's present, eyes wide. She met her aunt's gaze (and missed the way Lyonel had looked at Sage as well in the process) "I'm French?"

Sage seemed to recognize her mistake, especially when she saw Lyonel. "Uh, well…" Her face tinted red in a matter of seconds. "I meant…the name is French."

"Yeah, but you just said that I'm French too…" Romina said, swallowing hard, "And I know that you guys aren't French, so neither was my da— Caplan. That means that Elora was French."

"You didn't know that about yourself?" Arden found it hard to believe that such a basic detail about one's history could be that hidden, and for what reason too.

Romina looked down, growing self-conscious about things she hadn't really thought about until now. "So Elora's family, they're all French…do they live in France?"

"Uh…" Sage looked to Lyonel again, this time for help.

"I think they live around these parts but I'm not sure," Lyonel said curtly.

"They live here?" Romina gaped, as did Arden. "How are they? I mean…what kind of people are they? Are they good…? Or…not?"

"I, uh, don't know," said Lyonel with a shrug. "I don't keep up with them. Not since the war. It was just better that way."

"And so they…they really cut ties with us too, huh?" Romina wondered if that part of her family ever bothered to check up on her. Despite everything, she was the only child Elora ever had. Did that count for something?

"Well, open up Harry's present, dear," Sage said encouragingly, wanting to lift the spirits before they were completely gone again.

Romina's lingering look on her aunt and uncle was noted by the three in the room. It was clear she wanted to learn more about these family members who were seemingly alive. It was only fair she knew all of them, right?

"Oh look, Harry bought you those red lollipops you liked from Hogsmeade," Arden said after Sage practically opened the present herself. "Man, those were good," Arden huffed when she remembered the one she was munching on that was stolen by air.

"I guess I'm not getting anything from Pansy this year," Romina recalled the last gift Pansy had given her and wondered if she should burn it tonight or right now.

"That cow never deserved anything! And I'm more than happy to burn the scarf you got her her too!" Arden went for another present and immediately "oooed" about it. "This one's from Angel!"

Romina rolled her eyes as she took the present. "Leave it alone, Arden." She opened the present up and discovered it was a nice photograph of her, Angel, and the rest of the crew minus Pansy. She peeled off the sticky note on the corner of the portrait.

"Oh I remember that," Arden said after taking the portrait. "Theodore and Draco were trying to prove to me that they knew more about Divination than me. Idiots."

The photograph had Romina, Daphne and Carolinha trying to fit in a puzzle on the common room floor. Draco, Arden and Theodore were on the couch arguing over something, but it looked like Arden was winning judging by the smirk on her face. Blaise and Angel were the only ones who seemed decently involved in their studies.

"This is a wonderful picture," Sage noted after she and her husband got a glimpse. "Who took it?"

"One of the older students did," Romina recalled the moment too. "It was for a muggle studies class and I guess we fit the role." She looked back at the note still in her hand and read it out loud.

Romina, I know you're worried about your family so I thought this might be a good present. It's you, Romina, doing what you always do: being a friend. We love you.

Angel

Romina made a note to send a letter back to Angel. It was a really sweet gesture from him that she didn't want it to go unnoticed.

Daphne had gifted her a couple of bracelets that were charmed to match whatever outfit the person wore. Arden's present was another comic, this time of Poison Ivy! She was Romina's favorite villain of all time. Even Luna Lovegood had surprised her with homemade jewelry that made Romina's heart swell. The last one was a rather small, squared one that made Romina wonder what it could be.

"That one came in this morning," Lyonel remembered the particular arrogant owl who almost pecked him over the head for a treat. "Bloody owl - I'll have him if he comes back." Sage laughed and soothed him with some more hot chocolate.

"Who's it from?" Arden curiously wondered as Romina looked it over.

"From Draco," Romina said with decent surprise. "That's certainly new."

"I'll say," Arden frowned for a moment. "He's another one that never sends anything either!"

Romina playfully rolled her eyes and went ahead to open the present. It turned out to hold a single tie up headband that was a plaid green and blue. "It's...pretty," Romina admitted as she picked it up and tried it on. The moment she did, it changed patterns and colors to match her pajamas.

"Oh it matches like Daphne's bracelets did!" Arden pointed out with a gasp.

"That's good, since you seem to love those things a lot," Sage smiled. "Now you won't have to buy anymore."

"Very thoughtful of Draco," Arden said, though the face she was making seemed like she wasn't believing it. "Didn't know he had that quality...nor that he was capable of it."

Romina saw a note on the box and picked it up to read.

I remembered you liked those things Granger gave you so I thought one of them - an actual good one - might help you after Parkinson's trick. I still don't know what they're called but you look nice in them. Maybe one might remind you that while our parents leave legacies behind, we're not always meant to take them on.

Draco.

Arden watched a smile spread across Romina's face. It wasn't the same one she gave to all her other presents. "Um...Rom…?"

Romina snapped out of her trance and looked around, suddenly realizing she'd gotten lost in thoughts. With the three curious gazes she was getting, she felt a warmness rush through her face. "U-um, yeah. He just thought it might cheer me up," she quickly took off the headband and placed it back in the box before Arden had a chance to see the note. Not that it should matter - why would it matter?

"You okay?" Arden asked, and the fact she was close to smiling made Romina dread what was running through her mind.

"Y-yeah, aunt Sage, is there anymore hot chocolate?"

"Of course there is." Her aunt was always one to make things better.

"Why don't you open the last one from your aunt and I?" Lyonel pointed to the last gift under the tree.

"I'll have to send out gifts to everyone," Romina blushed with embarrassment again when she realized she still hadn't sent out any presents. She'd said she would switch to muggle chocolates the time she went to Hogsmeade but after Pansy's trick, Romina forgot all about it.

She pulled the last present, which turned out to be a little heavier than the other presents. She unwrapped it and found a large black box underneath. When she pulled the lid off, she gasped so loudly even her aunt heard from the kitchen.

"Romina!?" Sage came rushing back into the living room.

Romina was staring wide-eyed at the brand new violin sitting inside the box. "Oh my...God…" she gently picked it up and examined it, "This is so beautiful!" She put it back in the box and rushed to go hug her aunt and uncle. "Thank you so much! Thank you!"

"We thought you could play some of your tunes again," Lyonel said as Romina hugged her aunt. "And perhaps return to your classes over the summer?"

"I know they miss you," Arden quickly said. "Victoria won't stop talking about it!"

"I wouldn't go that far," Romina came back to her violin with an honest smile. "But I do miss playing."

She missed everything, as she always came to realize. This upward and downward spiral of hers was so difficult to manage. Seeing all the presents her friends took time to buy for her made her heart swell. She glanced at Arden, just one example of her good friends, then she looked at her aunt and uncle.

"You know, Romina," her uncle began, "The block here is having a Christmas party at night. We weren't going to participate because we wanted a quieter dinner, but...maybe it could be fun if we did join."

"Oh, yes!" Arden was the first to exclaim. "My parents are in charge of making bread pudding! Victoria's parents are bringing karaoke! Rom, say you'd come, please?"

Romina looked unsure about the whole ordeal. The idea of spending time with her muggle friends did sound appealing, and they did always make her forget about her problems. Plus, just because she was sour didn't mean her aunt and uncle had to come down with her.

"Maybe...maybe just for a little bit…"

"Yes!" Arden clapped happily and lunged on Romina for a hug. "It's going to be so much fun!"

~0~

That night, almost the entire block was out on the street celebrating Christmas night. Many long tables had been set out on the road and were stock-full of food and drinks. Victoria Connelly's parents did bring out a karaoke machine for those interested. Many of the kids were zooming up and down the block using their new toys. It was a perfect muggle Christmas.

Romina watched the procession from her bedroom window. By her aunt's insistence, she'd changed into something more in the Christmas spirit. She wore a shimmering green jumper with the pattern of snowflakes. Since it was long, reaching to her knees, she matched them with black leggings and black flats that had green gemstones on them.

"Hey!" Arden surprised her by coming in with their muggle friend, Victoria, into the room. "Are you ready?"

Romina glanced over her shoulder and smiled warmly, more for Victoria's sake than anything. She didn't want (and really couldn't)to explain about her recent moods. "I guess."

"Your aunt and uncle are already outside," Victoria came up to the window to point them out, not that Romina hadn't caught them before. "We promised them you'd be down in a couple minutes."

"They look like they're having fun," Romina remarked. She caught sight of the Dursleys coming towards the party and rolled her eyes. "And here come the Dursleys to ruin it."

"Ugh, that Dudley gets ruder with each year," Victoria crinkled her nose. "I still think it's abusive to keep Harry away for Christmas."

Arden's hum made both girls look back to see her rummaging through Romina's presents. "I think Harry's enjoying himself." Upon seeing Victoria's curious look, she quickly added, "Uh, you know, being away from the Dursleys is present enough!"

Victoria bought it judging by her laugh. Romina still warned Arden with another look to watch what she said.

"Oh, by the way Romina, you look so pretty!" Victoria gushed over Romina's jumper. "You know, I got one almost like it this morning! We could've been twins!"

Romina's laugh was a genuine one, which just served to show she was in the mood for something better than shutting herself up. Arden cleared her throat from Romina's desk. "If we could just take that hair of hers...but with what?" she tapped her chin in feign thought then raised the new tie up headband Romina received in the morning.

Romina shook her head, about to remind Arden it was enchanted - meaning Victoria couldn't see it - when Arden wrapped the headband around Romina's head. Surprisingly, it didn't change colors. It remained in its white color.

"Huh, I guess it's a fail safe in case of muggles," Romina whispered to Arden.

"I guess Draco thought of it all. Still surprising," Arden stepped back to see if the headband was on right.

"Who?" Victoria came by to stand beside Arden. "That's a pretty headband! Where'd you get it from?"

Arden crossed her arms and smirked at Romina. "Yeah, Rom, where'd you get it from?"

Romina's death glare was pretty hard even for a fourteen year old. "Let's go out to the party," she suggested instead. She did mumble 'I'll get you for this' to Arden before leaving the room though, something that just made Arden laugh.

A/N:

P.S. As always, I have AO3/Wattpad accounts under "noblecrescent" and a tumblr account under "saiilorstars" if you'd like to follow :)