Don't Save Me

Chapter 5: Christmas With Mcgonagall

The term began to pass by quickly as we settled into a routine. Lily, Severus, and I would hang out with one another after classes until dinner. Then I would head to the Great Hall and eat dinner with the Slytherins. I ate breakfast and lunch with the Gryffindors and sometimes I would eat dinner with them but more often than not I was eating dinner with Severus, Lucius, and Narcissa. Christmas time came around and everyone was going home for the holidays, except for me. Even Severus was going home though he didn't seem too thrilled about it.

"One of these years when Lucius and I inherit the Malfoy Manor you should come visit, dear! It would be lovely to have you over!" Narcissa said as she and Lucius prepared to board the train. They seemed to have taken me under their wing over the last few months and they began feeling like family to me... more so than my real family.

"Sounds wonderful, Cissy! I look forward to it!" I replied, hoping I would one day escape my uncle's house. Severus, Narcissa and Lucius boarded the train and I turned around to walk toward Professor Mcgonagall, who had kindly agreed to let me see my friends off on the train. Lily didn't understand why I couldn't come stay with her or James, but I knew if I left the school, my uncle would hear about it and that scared me more than the idea of being alone.

The two weeks passed incredibly slowly as I waited for my friends to return. The professors were extremely kind, though a little curious as to why I didn't go home. I simply told them my uncle was away on a business trip. They seemed to buy this story and didn't ask any more questions. Since I was one of the only students who remained at Hogwarts for the break, Professor Mcgonagall seemed to have made it her mission to ensure I have a good Christmas. I woke up Christmas morning and saw a pile of presents under the tree and a beaming Mcgonagall standing next to it.

"Good morning, dear!" she exclaimed as I groggily walked into the Gryffindor common room. I was the only Gryffindor who had stayed at Hogwarts so the common room was empty except for the two of us. "The other professors and I wanted to do something special for you."

"Y-you bought me presents?" I asked, tears filling my eyes as I hadn't had a Christmas since I was seven years old. I ran down the stairs and Professor Mcgonagall pulled me into a hug. We began opening presents and I couldn't stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks.

She had gifted me sweets of all kinds, a Gryffindor scarf, a journal, and a quill with ink. She pulled me into a hug once more and as we pulled away, I noticed my sleeve wasn't fully pulled down. The scars on my arm were visible as I hadn't put the concealment charm on today. I didn't think I'd need it. I quickly pulled down my sleeve and she looked down at my arm.

"Is everything alright, dear?"

"Yes, everything's great. Sorry, it just got really cold in here all of the sudden." She nodded in understanding and went to place more wood in the fireplace. As she did this I quickly muttered the concealment charm and we continued our festivities.

The rest of the break was equally as wonderful. The professors were a lot more relaxed and you were able to have real conversations with them. Unfortunately the break came to an end and the students started returning.

I waited in the Gryffindor common room for my friends to start arriving. Lily was the first to arrive, followed by James, Peter, Remus, and then Sirius. We embraced and shared stories of our holidays. I mostly listened as I wasn't really in the mood to discuss my break. I knew they would feel sorry for me and I didn't want their pity. We finished catching up and headed down to the Great Hall for dinner.

"Won't you sit with us today, Y/n? Please?" Sirius begged.

"Well... I haven't seen Severus, Lucius, or Narcissa yet," I replied, desperately wanting to see them.

"Oh, come on Y/n," James said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "Just eat dinner with us, today. We haven't seen you in two weeks and we miss you. Tomorrow you can go back to being Sinvellus's shoulder to cry on." I shrugged his arm off and turned around, glaring daggers at him.

"Really, James!" I hissed.

"Y/n, he didn't mean it. Just come sit with us please," Sirius begged, trying to calm my anger. Reluctantly, I sat down next to them and began eating. I could feel three pairs of eyes on me as I ate. I looked up to the Slytherin table and noticed Severus, Lucius, and Narcissa looking at me, confused. I gave them a pleading look, begging them to save me from Peter bragging about his break. Lucius whispered something to Severus, stood up, and glided over to the Gryffindor table.

"Ditching us already, Y/n?" he joked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Of course not," I laughed. "These knuckleheads just asked if I'd sit with them."

"Well, Severus and Narcissa won't shut up about you," he laughed as Severus and Narcissa glared at him from across the room.

"Come sit with us, dear."

"Look, I'll see you guys later," I said, looking at James. He was furious at Lucius but even more so at Severus. He simply nodded as I stood and made my way over to the Slytherin table. I took a seat next to Severus.

"Thanks for saving me. I swear if I had to listen to Peter brag anymore about his vacation, I might have smacked him," I said to Lucius. Severus, Lucius, and Narcissa let out a chuckle.

"So, how was your break?" I asked, turning to Severus. His face instantly returned to the expressionless, cold exterior I had grown so familiar with.

"It was fine," he replied, pulling at the collar of his shirt. I didn't know how to respond, so I simply nodded and placed my hand on his. He looked up at me, confused before giving a half smile. I knew he was hiding something but I knew better than to push someone to tell their secrets. Not every secret needs to be shared.