The Girl Who Loved: Year 1

Chapter 11

Autumn turned to winter, and it wasn't long before the first snowflakes created the first white blankets covering the school grounds. While Professor Flitwick kept the Ravenclaw common room warm with a large fireplace, the same could not be said about the gusty open halls of each corridor throughout the castle. Potions class was the worst as it was down in the already chilly dungeon no matter what time of year it was. The boiling cauldrons helped some, but Colleen managed to create a luxurious fur muff by using a transfiguration charm on a stray piece of string. However, she had to keep it out of Snape's sight.

"I do feel so sorry," Malfoy jeered one class, "for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home."

Colleen just sighed and rolled her eyes. Ever since Quidditch, Malfoy acted much more bitter and petty, specifically towards Harry; but everyone else knew he was just sore Slytherin lost.

"Are you going home for Christmas?" Valerie asked as she was subtly helping Colleen with the assigned potion.

"Ron and I were planning to go with our brothers," Colleen explained, "but Mum and Dad wrote to us saying they'll be visiting Charlie in Romania."

"He studies dragons, right?"

"Mmhm. Dangerous, but Charlie likes adventures."

"Miss Weasley and Miss Dursley, what did I say about unrelated chatter?" Snape's monotone voice warned them as he glided by.

"Sorry, professor," the girls apologized.

The two exchanged looks that said it was better off not defending themselves as to not risk losing house points. By now, they knew not to argue with Snape if he caught someone "not following classroom etiquette." As much as the House cup didn't matter to them too much, they still respected their houses by doing their best not to tamper with their points.

Once class was dismissed, the girls immediately head to the Great Hall for lunch, Seamus and Dean trailing behind them. However, Dean stopped them as he glanced at his watch.

"We still have half an hour before lunch," he reported. "Why are we going to the Great Hall now?"

Colleen giggled to herself. "The other day, I overheard Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick talking about decorations for the holidays, and Flitwick said he'd work on them today."

"Mam always said Hogwarts looks spectacular around Christmas," Seamus piped up.

"Maybe she's right, but let's see for ourselves."

The quartet didn't waste another moment and dashed off to the Great Hall, Seamus tripping and nearly dropping his books. Once they had caught their breath upon arrival, they peaked their heads in and gasped at the sight. Twelve Christmas trees lined the walls, holly and mistletoe were strung around the room, and little icicles seemed to decorate a few trees. Professor Flitwick was making golden bubbles bloom from his wand to add more ornaments to the trees.

"Gorgeous," Colleen sighed contently.

"I know," replied Seamus as he stared at her.

When she turned to tell him about her family's usual Christmas traditions, she couldn't help but notice the boy's freckled face had turned a deep pink hue.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Seamus nodded quickly, seemingly snapping out of his daze.

"Anyhow, Christmas at Hogwarts is going to be brilliant," cheered Colleen. "Which reminds me, I have to finish wrapping presents. I'll meet you three for lunch."

Colleen's feet carried her to the end of the hallway, where she disappeared around the corner.

"I'm going to go find Harry," Valerie said before waving farewell.

"Mate, you do realize you're blushing mad, right?" Dean told Seamus as they began to walk to the courtyard.

"I was?" the other boy blinked. Dean nodded.

While Colleen was known for having a kind heart, she was also considered the prettiest girl in their year, according to the other first-year boys. Terry Boot tried sharing his Halloween sweets with her, Neville offered to tie her shoelaces for her once, and it was rumored that Malfoy seemed to not mind her presence. However, Seamus seemed to be-actually, he was head over heels mad for her. Just about everyone knew he followed her almost everywhere like a lost puppy despite them already being close friends.

Although he wouldn't admit it to anyone else, Seamus liked Colleen, but not for just her looks. There was much more to his Housemate's sister than having brains and beauty. She was kind, clever, and always wanted everyone to have a bit of sunshine in their darkest hour.

"Even if she becomes your girlfriend in a few years," Dean continued as they headed towards the courtyard, "she has six older brothers you'll have to get through."

"And one of them is our roommate," Seamus sighed, shaking his head.

What no one but Seamus knew was that he already had a Christmas gift for Colleen. Well, not physically with him, but he had written to his mother about Colleen and about wanting to do something nice for her for the holidays. He had saved up enough to find -with the help of his mother- a simple heart-shaped locket with an elegant but traditional Irish engraving on it.

When his owl came in during lunch that afternoon, it delivered both his presents from his relatives and his gift for his special friend, all to be opened on Christmas morning. Seamus just hoped Ron wouldn't kill him afterward.

While Colleen was sad that most of her Ravenclaw Housemates went home for the Holidays, she was happy Valerie would be staying as Harry refused to go back to his relatives' house. She never felt lonely as she was considered a social butterfly, but she wanted at least one person to talk to.

Just before everyone left, Colleen was able to give them their presents, all handmade by her. She even gave some special sweets to all of her favorite teachers such as Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, and even Headmaster Dumbledore. However, no one could figure out how she was able to afford such nice gifts. While the Weasleys weren't necessarily poor, they certainly weren't the richest at all. Colleen, however, didn't spend any money on the presents. In her free time, when she wasn't spending time with her friends, she would practice her Charms and Transfiguration spells in order to create jewelry, scarves, gloves, and even a sweater from small items stranded around the dorm or school. A shard of glass from a broken potion bottle was transformed into a diamond broach, some grass with dewdrops was made into a jade-colored bracelet, and a set of pearl barrettes were formed from snow and small, old woodchucks.

Everyone was thankful for the kind and thoughtful gifts she had made, and before long, Colleen was celebrating the special holiday with her siblings and new friends that remained at the castle. While exchanging gifts with Valerie after some Christmas dinner, Colleen feels two light taps on her shoulder. Seamus was standing there all glad in warm Muggle-like clothing and a small blue box tied with a silver ribbon in his hands.

"Happy Christmas, Seamus," she greets with a small smile.

"Eh..." he gulps before shoving the box in front of him. "Happy Christmas, C-Colleen."

Colleen takes the box, curious about what he could have gotten her. She carefully unties to ribbon and opens the box, finding the golden locket nestled inside.

"My goodness, Seamus!" she gasps, carefully pulling the necklace out. "This is beautiful. What is his marking on the front?"

"It's the Dara Knot," Seamus explains, smiling while rocking on his feet. "It's the Irish symbol for strength. Me dad told me that we all have roots and grow from there without stopping."

"Well, my family does give me strength, even though they drive me crazy at times. You're rooming with at least one of my family, but Ronald has always been there for me."

She then unhooks the chain and puts the necklace on, the golden locket gleaming in the candlelight.