All Our Broken Pieces

Chapter 13

The next few weeks were uneventful, I had taken to sleeping on the couch in the common room, purely because my nightmares were not as often in there.

My neck pains on grew worse and my worry for Alex went away, as I stopped hearing him as often. 

Over those few weeks, it was rare for me to be spoken to unless I instigated the conversation myself, so I just stopped.

I wondered how long it would be before people started to notice my rapidly decreasing weight, the dark circles appearing under my eyes, the paling of my skin or the carelessness of my appearance.

My homework got done on time, not to the best of my ability, but at least I wasn't falling behind as much.

Every book on my shelves got read and every meal was left untouched. I had stopped going down to dinner all together at this point.

Christmas was quickly approaching and so I took some time for myself one weekend and went into Hogsmead for presents. I didn't have many to buy, one for Enzo, one for Draco and a few for Alex.

I try my best at occasions for Alex because I'm away a lot and we both miss each other, he deserves the world and buying him the best presents and spending as much time as I can with him when I'm around is the only way, I feel, I can make it up to him.

After a few hours looking round the shops, and a bit too much money spent, I sat down to have a butterbeer.

For Enzo, I got a watch, it had black leather straps green hands which ticked around a dark grey face, on the back was engraved, 'to Enzo, from your Nor's.'

For Draco, I got a ring, it was simple but I knew he would love it. It was thick and sliver, it had a snowflake obsidian gem sat on top and reminded me of him drastically.

Alex got some clothes and a few cute things I picked up from the Weasley twins joke shop, he loved those.

I ended up getting a gift for Neville too, not on purpose but, it reminded me of him and how, I believed that he deserved a gift of someone from school this year.

Neville got a leather waist pouch, it came with a book of salt and clear water plants.

Hopefully he would like it.

I made my way back to the castle, for the first time
taking in the views on the way home, it really was very beautiful. Maybe it was my memory but it felt like I had missed so much these past years.

Ignored the living, part of life.

I wrapped up my gifts in front of the fire and packed for the Christmas holidays.

In the corner of the room was a depressing Christmas tree which nobody had dressed.

So, I fixed myself a hot chocolate, played some Christmas tunes and began to decorate the tree, like you would as a child.

After a few hours it was finally ready to turn on the lights, there were a couple of students dotted around the room studying or doing homework, as I switched on the lights, the whole room lit up.

Not only from the green and red bulbs on the tree, but from the hope, and childhood joy, which was regained in the students faces.

"It looks beautiful Nora," a voice called from behind me, "you did a great job."

I picked up the suitable gift from the pile by my feet, "Merry Christmas Enzo."

My eyes flickered across the room as I turned, my heart warmed at the joy spread out amongst the pupils.