A New Chapter at Hogwarts [Drarry]

Chapter 19: Winter Wonders

Hogwarts had fully embraced the spirit of the approaching holidays, and the castle, ancient and majestic, was nestled in a serene blanket of winter. A fine layer of snow clung to the stone turrets and battlements, lending the school an almost ethereal quality as the shimmering white landscape stretched beyond the grounds. The Great Lake, slowly freezing over, mirrored the pale winter sun with a sheen of fragile ice, while the Forbidden Forest loomed in the distance, its tall trees capped in frosted white.

Inside, warmth and joy spilled through every corridor and classroom, filling the air with a sense of festivity. Students and staff, caught up in the anticipation of Christmas, bustled about with laughter on their lips, their faces flushed with the warmth of the fires and the excitement of the holidays. The scent of pine and cinnamon wafted from the kitchens, mingling with the occasional sounds of enchanted carols that floated through the halls.

In the heart of the castle, the Great Hall was transforming into a winter wonderland. The enchanted ceiling reflected the soft, snowy sky, and great garlands of evergreen, twinkling with charmed lights, festooned the walls. A towering Christmas tree stood in the center of the hall, its branches laden with silver and gold ornaments, enchanted candles flickering among the ribbons that seemed to sway gently in the air.

Harry stood atop a ladder, meticulously arranging a string of charmed lights around the upper branches of the tree. His breath came in visible puffs, a combination of the Hall's warmth and his effort, and his cheeks were pink with the glow of the firelight and the exercise. His woollen sweater—thick, maroon, and predictably from Molly Weasley—was rolled up at the sleeves as he worked. His eyes sparkled with the cheer that seemed to fill every inch of Hogwarts, and there was a quiet satisfaction in his expression, a sense of being exactly where he was meant to be.

Nearby, Draco stood, levitating a box of ornaments with the precision of a Potions master. His wand flicked smoothly as the baubles floated to their designated places on the tree, each settling with the kind of symmetry Draco seemed to pride himself on. He wore an immaculate dark green robe, tailored to perfection, its color a subtle nod to Slytherin House, which contrasted beautifully with his pale skin and silvery blond hair. His face, usually guarded, bore an expression of relaxed contentment, and there was the faintest trace of a smile as he focused on his task.

"You know," Harry called out from his perch on the ladder, pausing to admire his handiwork, "if you keep placing those ornaments with that much precision, we'll end up with the most symmetrical tree Hogwarts has ever seen."

Draco's smirk appeared almost instantly, though his gaze remained fixed on the floating baubles. "There is something to be said for symmetry, Potter. It brings order to chaos. A haphazardly decorated tree is an affront to aesthetics."

Harry chuckled, hopping down from the ladder and landing lightly on his feet. "A little chaos never hurt anyone, Malfoy. In fact, I'd say Hogwarts thrives on it. Adds character, don't you think?"

Draco's smirk softened, his eyes finally leaving the tree to land on Harry. "Hogwarts and chaos are old friends, I'll admit. It's part of the charm, I suppose."

They worked in companionable silence for a while, the Great Hall alive with the sounds of holiday cheer as students and professors alike decorated every corner. There was a warmth in the air, not just from the crackling hearths, but from the sense of camaraderie that seemed to permeate the very walls. It was hard to believe, sometimes, how much had changed.

After finishing with the tree, Harry and Draco made their rounds, helping others with garlands and lights, enjoying the ease of their shared task. As they passed one of the doorways, Harry's attention was caught by a small group of students huddled in a corner, their heads bent close together in whispered conversation.