Harry Potter AUS

Day 3 ; Teddy Lupin; Happy Hanukkah

    It was almost Christmas, and I felt like the only one in the school who wasn't excited. I was just about the only Jewish student, Hanukkah had just ended, and everything was different than usual.

It wasn't like I didn't like Christmas - it wasn't that at all. Its just that the Christmas trees and carols and stockings and decorations made me feel almost uncomfortable. Homesick, even.

I thought about all of this as I picked at the gingerbread men I had taken on to my plate. Their icing was starting to melt, and their distorted smiles looked fake, almost like my smile.

"y/n," my boyfriend, Teddy, asked, "Is everything alright? You're acting a bit weird."

I widened my fake smile and said, "Yeah. I'm great. Just tired."

He frowned and swept his (currently turquoise, curly) hair out of his eyes to look at me closer. "I don't believe you."

I sighed and said, "I'm tired, okay? That's all!"

He raised his eyebrows slightly as though he didn't believe me, grabbed one of the uneaten gingerbread cookies off of my plate, and said, "Come on. Let's go for a walk, okay?" And he grabbed my hand and led me out of the Great Hall.

Together we walked down the corridors, past many garlands, Christmas trees, and dozens of portraits (many of whom had decided to decorate for Christmas as well). Finally, Teddy led me through a doorway and into a classroom deserted for the holidays.

He turned and faced me. "What is the matter?"

I shrugged uncomfortably.

"y/n, seriously."

"I don't want to seem like a brat for ruining everyone's fun, but..." I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "All of this Christmas stuff is making me really uncomfortable. You know, Hanukkah just ended two days ago and no one did anything special! And I know I shouldn't expect you all to change for me, but..." I sighed.

Teddy looked at me, visibly distraught. "I'm so sorry y/n! I didn't realize that I was making you that miserable. God! What kind of a boyfriend am I?"

He stuck one hand into his pocket and with the other arm, pulled me into a tight embrace. I buried my head in his Weasley sweater and held him close.

When we broke apart Teddy had a small box in his hand. "I was going to give this to you as a Christmas present, but really, I should have given it to you two days ago. I'm sorry."

He passed the box to me, I opened it, and gasped in surprise. It was a beautiful silver necklace in the shape of a star. The pendant sparkled as I held it up to the light to examine it.

"Teddy, it's beautiful."

He smiled, reached out, and clasped it around my neck. "I think you mean that you look beautiful in it. Just like you do in everything you wear."

I blushed and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm serious. I love it."

"Thanks," Teddy said, "It used to be my mum's, but from what I hear, she never wore it much. Anyways, it reminded me of you. Happy Hanukkah."