🥀 Roses and Novels | Hogwarts Legacy Fanfic | Sebastian, Ominis and Evander

🥀 - Chapter 23 -🌹

(Third Person Perspective)

The days at Hogwarts passed quickly, and before anyone realized it, the castle was filled with Christmas decorations.
In the Slytherin common room, a large letter hung from one of the stone pillars. Students gathered around it in a hurry, curious about what it said.

"What is this?"

"What are we supposed to do?"

"I hope this isn't some kind of joke."

"Absolute nonsense. I'm not going."

"Ugh, I hate Christmas."

"I don't have green fingers. Do I look like a Hufflepuff to you?"

-Letter-

Dear students,

Today, you're all expected to visit the greenhouse to embrace the Christmas spirit.
This is the only day set aside for your house; the next two days will be for Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor.
Please check the time slot below to see when you're scheduled.

Wishing you all a happy holiday season. See you in the new year.

– Professor Black

Time Slots
1st years – 12:00
2nd and 3rd years – 13:00
4th and 5th years – 15:00
6th and 7th years – 17:00

Inside the greenhouse, one hundred wooden pots were arranged in neat rows, each tied with a green bow. On the tables were miniature Christmas trees, boxes of decorations, and a list of instructions.
We were allowed to plant and decorate our own Christmas trees charmed to stay small so they could sit on our bedside tables.

🙟•◦ 🎕 ◦•🙝

(Helena's Perspective)

That evening, we were all seated at our usual place at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall: me, Ominis, Natty, Poppy, Garreth, Amit, Anne, and Imelda. Everyone wore a Christmas outfit.

We had agreed as a group to buy a small gift for each person. Professor Weasley had granted Anne special permission to join us since she'd be returning to Hogwarts in January. I brought my mini Christmas tree to decorate the table. It was trimmed with silver baubles, white garlands, and snowflakes.

For Natty, I'd chosen a red scarf. For Poppy, a Hippogriff figurine. Garreth received a potions book, Amit a mini telescope, Anne a novel, and Imelda a bracelet.
Each gift was wrapped in light green paper decorated with white snowflakes, tied with satin green ribbons and name tags.

I wore a white jumper with puffed sleeves, paired with high-waisted green trousers and black heels. My hair was tied in a ponytail, with a few strands falling loose around my face.

Since everyone would be heading home for the holidays, we celebrated early on the Friday before. One by one, we exchanged gifts while Christmas music played in the background. Each person had a glass of something warm to drink and a slice of pumpkin pie.

From my friends, I received a spell book, a scarf, gloves, earrings, a bag full of chocolate biscuits, and a paint set.
I hadn't received anything from Ominis yet, but we had planned to exchange our gifts on Christmas Day.
We spent the evening chatting and laughing, enjoying each other's company. Hugs, pats on the shoulder, air kisses, and warm words filled the space. It was a lovely night. Our group got along perfectly.

Anne returned to Feldcroft the next morning. She hugged everyone and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"I'll see you soon, Lena. We'll keep in touch, dear."

"See you soon, dear Anne. I love you."

She smiled, waved, and walked to the Undercroft to apparate home.