Falling Star

Ch. 13 Christmas

The morning after the Yule Ball, Hermione, Ron, Harry, and I gather by the fireplace in the common room to exchange Christmas gifts. Hermione and I had gone to Hogsmeade a few weeks ago to buy presents for everyone.

Although Hermione is still a bit annoyed with Ron, she decides to push her feelings aside for the day in order for all of us to enjoy our own little Christmas celebration. This has become a tradition for us ever since our second year, when all of us ended up staying at Hogwarts for the holidays.

We open our gifts until the floor is littered with ribbons and bows and wrapping paper. I got Ron and Harry treats from Honeydukes, and bought Hermione a new journal from Flourish and Blotts. Harry and Ron had pooled their money together and give me a beautiful trinket box, and Hermione gives me a copy of her favorite muggle book, complete with her annotations in the margins. I adore all of my gifts from my friends. 

We spend the rest of the morning eating leftover treats from the ball last night. Snow begins falling lightly outside the windows, and the fire crackling makes a lovely background noise to our easy chatter and laughter. My whole body feels warm and my heart is full. Is this what Christmas is supposed to feel like?

Memories of previous Christmases pull me in. We would have lavish parties that would last until late in the night with dancing and music and food. Draco and I would get tired long before the parties would end, especially when we were younger. We would tuck ourselves into bed and not see our parents until the next afternoon.

As a family, we would quietly exchange presents, politely thanking each other for them. The house elves would then clean up all of the wrapping paper quickly and quietly, and that was that. I was thankful that after our first year at Hogwarts, Draco and I just stayed at the castle through the Christmas holiday due to our father becoming busier and busier at work. We still gave and received presents by owl post.

I'm broken out of my thoughts by Hermione getting up and saying she needed to go to the library. Ron also leaves soon after; he has to give his siblings their Christmas presents. I will be doing the same later- Draco and I agreed to meet up before dinner to exchange gifts.

I look up at Harry from where I'm seated by the fire. "Thank you again for my gift. It's perfect," I say, smiling.

"Hermione might have helped," he replies sheepishly.

"Well, still. I love it," I announce.

We just sit like that for a few minutes, watching the fire, neither of us moving.

"I wish all Christmases were like this one," I say softly, more to myself than anything.

"Me too," Harry murmurs. After a beat, he says, "I would have thought Christmas at Malfoy Manor would be amazing. Extravagant. But I suppose it's not..?"

I huff out a laugh. "It is extravagant. When we were kids, my parents would throw large parties, but us kids were largely ignored after being paraded around. It was just...cold. I was glad when Father became to busy at work for us to come home for the holiday anymore."

Harry nods, his eyes full of empathy. "Christmas wasn't so great at my aunt and uncle's either. The first genuine gift I remember getting was from Ron during first year."

I could feel a lump forming in my throat, and my eyes begin to prick with the beginnings of tears. I blink a few times and swallow the lump. I get up and move beside Harry.

"I'm so thankful we all have each other," I say, throwing my arms around him.

Harry gently returns my hug. "Me too."

***

Later than afternoon, I tuck Draco's gift, new sheet music for his piano at home, into my robes, and begin walking to meet up with him.

Close to the dungeons, hushed, angry voices slow me down. I take cautious steps toward the voices and try to discern what they are saying.

"It's back, I'm telling you, it's come back!" one of the voices hisses.

"Calm yourself, Karkaroff," warns the other voice. I recognize this voice as Snape immediately.

I hold my breath as I take the next few steps.

"I can't do this again, Severus. He will kill me. And likely you as well."

Ice courses through my blood, causing me to shiver. My next step isn't calculated and causes a loud creak. I freeze, mentally cursing myself.

The voices stop. I debate running, but before I can force my feet to move, Snape swoops around the corner. I try to look as normal and nonchalant as possible; however, my rapidly beating heart and erratic breathing are likely a dead giveaway.

Karkaroff peers around the corner, then rushes away as Snape stalks toward me.

My feet are leaden, and I can't move away as Snape comes closer and closer. He continues moving until he is towering over me.

"What did you hear?" he demands.

"Nothing, Professor." My voice comes out weaker than I intend it to. My father would be disappointed.

Snape grips my shoulders tightly, and I inhale sharply. "Don't lie to me. What did you hear?" he shouts as loud as he can without drawing attention.

"I-Someone is back. And wants to kill you both. That's all, I swear!" I confess in a rush.

The pressure on my shoulders disappears, and Professor Snape takes a few steps back. He straightens his robes.

Clearing his throat, Professor Snape says, "It appears that Mr. Karkaroff is overreacting. Nevertheless, I would appreciate your discretion on the matter."

"I won't say a word. I promise," I breathe.

We both turn our heads at the sound of approaching footsteps. I sigh in relief at the sight of white blonde hair.

"Draco! I was just looking for you," I call, taking the opportunity to run away from Professor Snape. At that, the professor turns on his heel and leaves.

Draco raises an eyebrow at me and questions the interaction between Professor Snape and myself without ever saying a word.

I wave him off. "Nothing. Had a potions question. Let's find a place to sit."

We make our way to an alcove with a bench and sit down. One of the hundreds of Christmas trees spread throughout the castles stands tall beside us.

I extract Draco's gift from my robes as he does the same. In his hand is a small, black velvet box wrapped with a green bow. My interest is piqued. Draco knows that, like my mother, I love pretty jewelry.

I hand him his present, and he does the same with mine. "You first," I instruct him.

Draco carefully takes out the sheet music and examines it. I can see him working out the notes in his mind, his fingers subtilely tapping out the rhythms on his leg.

"I love it. Thank you, Li," he tells me earnestly. "Your turn."

I turn the small box over in my hands before pulling on the bow. When I open it, I'm met with a sparkly necklace in the shape of a dahlia. The flower is made up of tiny amethysts that shine brilliantly in the light. I immediately take it out of the box and try it on.

"It's beautiful! Thank you!" I beam at him.

"I'm glad you like it," he replies.

I remember the other presents we had bought earlier in the week. "Did you send the gifts to our parents?" I ask.

"Yes. No response yet," Draco says.

I bite the inside of my cheek. Usually we always got at least something from our parents on Christmas.

Draco must sense my concern because he says, "Don't worry. I'm sure they just got busy."

I nod. "Right. Well, at least we still got to celebrate."

Draco nods once in agreement. "Merry Christmas, sis."

"Merry Christmas."