Helium | Harry J. Potter

27

HARRY's POV

I shouldn't have kissed Alura. I know that. I should've walked away. But I didn't. I keep telling myself it was for closure, but I know better. She won't even look at me or speak to me.

This is worse than when we hated each other.

Today is the day I was excited about, but now am not. Christmas. The only thing that will be happening is Alura ignoring me even more and some presents to soften the blow.

Presently, I'm putting on Mrs. Weasley's Christmas sweater. Yes, she still knits sweaters, and yes, I'm still wearing them. I know she sends Alura one every year but she never wears them, which is why I'm surprised when I see that she decided to wear one today.

I smiled at her, but she didn't see it. She turned her head too quickly. Today she actually styled her hair instead of putting in no effort as usual, and even then, it looks beautiful.

She speeds down the stairs before I can even start walking down. I follow after her despite wanting to talk to her alone.

By the time I make it down, everyone is in the living room with Santa hats and reindeer ears on, particularly Stefan.

I sit next to Remus who is also seated next to Sirius. Alura and Tonks are sitting on the floor next to the Christmas tree, and Stefan is in his own chair, which he stole from Sirius.

"Alright, first one goes to..." Tonks checks the label to see who it goes to. "Sirius... From Moony!" She leaned over and handed him a bag.

He opens it and looks inside. He immediately looks up and stuffs the tissue back into the bag, blushing.

Everyone excuses his flustered look, and Tonks continues passing presents out.

"Alura, this one is for you."

She takes it with a smile, but it immediately falls when she reads the tag. I don't know who it's from but she puts it behind her instead of opening it.

Alura picks up another gift and reads the label. "To Stefan, from... Iris."

Stefan begins blushing too, and now I'm even more curious. "You're blushing," I point out.

"Am not."

Sirius leans over and pinches his cheeks roughly to examine them. "He's blushing."

Stefan swatted his hand away with a scowl. "Ouch. That hurt!"

Sirius shrugged and presents continued to be passed around. I ended up with multiple gifts from everyone and so did Alura. There's only one present left, which Alura takes.

"This one is actually addressed to me," she said after reading the tag. "It doesn't say who it's from." She shrugged.

Not very surprising, but I did in fact send that gift. I didn't want to put my name on it because I thought she may never open it. Considering what's inside, she'll figure out it's from me quickly.

She opens the box and examines the contents. I gave her the T-shirt and sweatpants from the night of the party. I gave it to Alura in hopes of her coming around and remembering all we built.

It's ironic. She gave me a necklace that has my drunk name on it, I gave her the clothes I made her put on because she was very drunk.

Stefan and Sirius go from giddy children to protective uncles and godfathers very fast.

"Who's that from?"

"Is it from a boy? Do I need to have the talk with anyone?"

"Can I remind you that you're still a fugitive?" Remus brought up.