DRAYA MATEI: WINTER, 1971
Draya hated winter.
She always had, ever since she could remember. Winter (and subsequently Christmas, even though they didn't celebrate) for the Mateis meant family dinners and boring galas and far too many of Draya's relatives hanging about in their dress robes. Her mother was always on edge, ready to snap at a moment's notice under the stress of playing the perfect hostess. Her father grew sombre and strict, always watching his daughter with a reproachful eye to ensure she did nothing to embarrass him. It was altogether joyless—and she was never given presents, due to the fact that her family were Satan worshippers and not Jesus worshippers.
So as November drew to a close, and December edged brittle and biting into The Academy, Draya grew more and more sullen. While other students chattered about holiday parties and family visits, she scowled and threw herself into her studies, spending hours in the library. Even Carolina was becoming insufferable—she kept talking about her mother's mince pies, or how badly she hoped it would snow.
"Last year my dad apparated us to this huge hill just outside of London—I side-alonged, it felt SO weird—and he charmed the sleds so we wouldn't fall off, it was unbelievable how fast—"
Draya slammed her book shut. They were sitting in the common room, next to the roaring fireplace. Leonie and Maeena (who was one of Carolina's roommates) were playing a game of gobstones on the floor, and Carolina was holding a quidditch magazine. She hadn't been reading it, though; instead, she'd been chattering on, once again, about Christmas. It felt nearly like bragging, when she told everyone that even though she was a pure-blood, her family celebrated the holiday.
"Do you mind?" Draya snapped, "I'm trying to read." Carolina fell silent, and both Maeena and Leonie glanced up when they heard the book slam (a thick tome on ocular conjuration). Now, they watched her in tense silence.
"Er...sorry, mate," Carolina said, awkwardly. Maeena's lips were pursed, like she thought Draya was being ridiculous, and Leonie was looking back down at her gobstones nervously. Draya knew she wasn't being fair, but she couldn't help responding to the sharp prick of irritation she felt at the excitement in Carolina's voice. They would be boarding the train the following morning, and her own nerves were stretched thin.
"It's fine," she muttered, "Too loud to concentrate down here anyway." She picked up her book and retreated to her dorm, hoping to make a dignified exit. She was already embarrassed about snapping at Carolina—she got frustrated with Maeena and snapped all the time. It wasn't even unusual for her to get angry with Carolina, but she never snapped at her. It felt strange.
Of course, Carolina Osorio was too good to hold it against her. That night, when Draya tiptoed into her dorm, the other girl let her in immediately. Draya didn't even have time to speak before Carolina was apologising,
"Look, Draya, I'm sorry about earlier—I wasn't thinking, I know that Christmas is rough for you—"
"No!" Draya gaped, horrified with herself, "No, I should be the one apologising! It's not your fault my family's awful. You have every right to be excited—I'll try to be less of a miserable git. I mean...Leonie's got to deal with it too and she's not murdering everybody, is she?"
They were both smiling, all forgiven, and Draya felt an incredible sense of relief.
* * *
The next morning, Dazai came to see them off at the station. She was staying at The Academy over the break—Leonie had invited her to come visit, but apparently there was some sort of complication with the mortal law that meant she wasn't allowed. Leonie had also invited Carolina to stay with her family—but of course, Carolina had to refuse. Draya didn't even understand why Leonie asked, they both knew what would happen if Carolina Osorio turned up to the Mallow's for the winter holiday.
