Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 6- Ch. 179

"Joyeux Noël, Céline!" Fleur's voice startled Céline awake. When she opened her eyes, she saw a beaming Fleur hovering over her. "Come, open your presents." She shook Céline over her covers. (Merry Christmas, Céline!)

Céline sat up on her cot and rubbed her eyes, she look over to the bed next to her to see Ginny, looking much less enthusiastic. Most likely because she didn't like to be woken up by Fleur.

"Merry Christmas, Gin." Céline said giving her a sleepy smile. Ginny turned to her and returned the greeting.

"Je descends prendre du thé." Fleur said as she left the room, always in a graceful way. As soon as the door closed Ginny looked at her in disbelief. (I'm going downstairs to have some tea.)

"How can you stand phlegm?" Ginny asked, as she gagged at the name she'd given her future sister-in-law

"Oh, she's not that bad really." Céline said as she scooting over to the big stuffed stocking at the end of her bed.

"Maybe you're just use to her because you went to school together." Ginny said

"Hmm, not exactly. We might have known about each other, but it was never where we were friends hanging out together." Céline gave Ginny a small sad smile, "I never really had friends at Beauxbaton. Well I had one, but she didn't come near me when the bullying got worse. Fleur was just one of the girls who didn't pick on me, whether it was because she was nice and pitied me, or because she simply didn't care enough to put the energy into being mean." Céline shrugged.

"Doesn't that make you angry?" Ginny asked. "That no one came to help you.To stop it. The ones who weren't bullying you, should have stepped in to help you."

"Hmm.. I suppose it should upset me." Céline simply shrugged again, giving her a soft smile . "But if you think about it. Had it not gone to the point of having to change schools, I would have never met you—all of you. I wouldn't have people who care so much about me. I would have been trapped under the control and abuse of my parents, trapped in a school and home where I was miserable at. So technically yes, I should be upset, but I'm actually grateful. I think if I knew the outcome of where I'd be now when I was eleven... I think I would endure it all over again just to get here."

Ginny looked at Céline teary eyed and touched. "I'm glad you're here. And for the record, I would have helped you if I went there." She said smiling. Céline returned the smile.

"I don't doubt you would. Thank you." Said Céline.

"Not just me. I know for a fact, Ron, Hermione, and especially Harry would've helped you. Even your Slytherin friends Greengrass and Davis..." Ginny said.

Céline felt the warmth of her words envelope her body, it very healing to her. She stood up from her bed and went over to Ginny to hug her.

They opened their gifts from Mrs. Weasley. Céline pulled out a cozy knitted emerald sweater with a silver flower in the middle. She immediately put it on, she proceeded to open the other gifts; the twins had gotten Céline some products from their shop, Fleur had got her a pretty hair piece and a Hermione sent a new muggle poetry book.

Everyone spent the morning in their rooms enjoying their new gift. Céline had gone up the attic where Ron and Harry's room was. She wanted to see the gifts they had received and had ended up having to clench at her stomach from laughing so hard. Kreacher had send a gift to his master, Harry, and it happened to be a disgusting box full of maggots. Céline found it to be very amusing, but it didn't top the gift Lavender had sent Ron. It was a thick gold chained necklace with a thick gold engraved charm at the end reading MY SWEETHEART.