Christmas morning in Malfoy Manor was always strangely quiet.
The rest of the world imagined something warm and cheerful—crackling fires, loud laughter, peeling bells and clinking glasses. But here, everything was orderly and muted. The decorations were tasteful, expensive, and soulless. The tree in the drawing room looked like it had been summoned from the pages of a catalog, every silver bauble perfectly spaced, the garlands draped with military precision. Even the wrapped presents beneath it were in matching paper. No clashing colors. No hand-tied bows. No surprises.
Just another performance.
Breakfast was served later than usual. By the time I made it down to the grand dining hall, my parents were already seated at the long table. Draco sat across from me, pale hair combed neatly, black dressing gown pristine. A stack of gifts sat beside each of us.
"Happy Christmas," my mother said smoothly as I entered, as if she were greeting a diplomat.
"Happy Christmas," I returned quietly.
We opened presents after we'd eaten, each with the practiced politeness expected of us.
From my parents: a new silver bracelet inlaid with tiny opals, a pair of tailored gloves with intricate embroidery, and a book on "The Principles of Influential Pureblood Lineages." I tried not to grimace at the title.
From Draco: a delicate vial of perfume charmed to change subtly with your mood. He'd enchanted it himself—it smelled like frost and old books when I opened it. I gave him a small, grateful smile. He raised a brow, like he hadn't expected me to actually like it.
From Daphne: a beautiful little journal bound in emerald green leather, with a note that simply read "For all the things we can't say out loud." I felt something tighten in my chest.
And then... there was Theo's.
I stared at the box for a moment. It was wrapped in dark grey paper, sealed with a wax stamp that looked suspiciously like his father's crest. I hesitated, then undid the ribbon and opened it.
Inside was a beautiful pair of earrings and a folded bit of parchment tucked inside the box.
"My father insisted I send you this. Apparently it 'reflects well.' I didn't pick it. Happy Christmas, regardless. –Theo."
I rolled my eyes and closed it without even checking the contents.
Draco caught my expression and smirked knowingly. "Charming, isn't he?"
"Mm," I muttered, setting the gift aside.
After the required hour of presence and conversation, I retreated to my room, carrying Daphne's journal with me. The Manor always felt colder on holidays. Like the walls themselves remembered something they'd rather forget.
I curled up on the chaise beneath my window, book in my lap, legs tucked beneath a blanket. I tried to read—something unrelated to lineage, thankfully—but my mind wandered too much to absorb anything. The letters on the page blurred together.
I must've been sitting there a while when I heard the sharp tap, tap, tap against the glass.
I blinked, sat up straight, and turned toward the sound. There, wings puffed slightly against the frost-dusted window, was Hedwig.
My chest did a little flip.
I scrambled up, unlatching the window with cold fingers. Snow blew in as Hedwig hopped inside, shaking a bit and blinking at me expectantly. A small package and a letter were tied neatly to her leg.
YOU ARE READING
human again / hp.
Fanfiction"I already forgave you, so why can't you forgive yourself?" She's a Malfoy. He's a Potter. Celeste Malfoy has always walked a fine line between the world she was born into and the one she chose for herself. At Hogwarts, nothing is simple. Not friend...
