Fire and Ice

Commotion in the common room

"Gin- you've overslept- wake UP!"

Falling out of her ruffled sheets, Ginny started as she looked into the wide, worried eyes of Parvati Padil. "Gin, something's happened-" Every line Parvati said was punctured with handing Ginny random items of clothing, "-everyone's swarming in the- common room- you hair looks fine- you can't- keep sneaking- out, because - you'll get caught- HURRY UP- I woke up- commotion- okay, you're dressed. Let's go."

Taking her best friend's hands, Ginny mumbled apologies as the two girls flew down the stairs.

"What's going on- MERLIN'S DICK!"

The common room chorused in laughter as an obsenity escaped Ginny's mouth. Two handsome boys began to talk to Parvati, who happily chatted back.

Ginny, however, was speechless. In the centre of the common room, directly in front of her, was the biggest Christmas tree she'd ever seen (aside from the grand Great Hall one). Littered artstically with baubles of gold and burgundy, the Gryffindor-esque tree ommitted beautiful scents of cinnamon and chives, enveloping the room in its musty aroma. Blinded by the sheer wonderous image, Ginny felt her open mouth with her fingertips. She shut it gently.

"It's enormous!"

"...so big!"

"I bet all the houses have one-"

"-with baubles their colours!"

"Bet they've never done this before-"

"-looks so cool!!!"

"I wonder who put the tree up?"

"Yeah, I couldn't hear a thing-"

"-normal night for me-"

"The house elves, of course."

"Oh, thanks Hermione..."

Turning at the sound of her friend's name, Ginny smiled lightly at her bushy-haired companion, who had joined her. Hermione had the decency to look sheepish, Ginny noted.

"It's lovely, isn't it?" Hermione said, a little too loud and cheery for Ginny's liking.

Really. We're doing small talk.

"Definetly. Has Hogwarts ever done this before?"

"Not this grand," Hermione answered immediately. "It's always been a few small trees, on each corner of the common room, with simple decorations. Helga Hufflepuff was the one who thought it would be a nice idea, and Rowena..."

Hermione's voice faded from Ginny's mind as she began walking closer to the tree. Every time she touched a branch, a warm mist of cookie dough and baked goods flew from her grasp.

"Amazing," she breathed, as she hungrily inhaled the aromas.

"Who's hungry?!" Someone yelled (most likely Fred or George). They were met with cheers, as everybody began to leave the common room.

Ginny turned and smiled as she watched Parvati leave, the two handsome boys quick on her tail. The room slowly emptied, leaving Ginny and Hermione alone. Ginny faced Hermione directly, waiting silently.

"Ginny, I know it was wrong of me to butt into your personal life-" Hermione faltered when Ginny nodded slowly, "-but I'm just worried..."

"Don't be," Ginny said, walking up to Hermione and placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm fine, I swear. Let's just forget about that and look at this gorgeous tree!"

Smiling gratefully, Hermione sniffed slightly and turned back to the tree.

"Oh look, they're presents already! God, I love Christmas. Anyway, I'm off for breakfast. Coming?"

Distracted by the one present next to the stump of the tree, Ginny mumbled a "...in a bit..." Hermione waved and left.

Suddenly engulfed in curiosity, Ginny threw herself on the floor and began crawling under the tree, towards the present. Feeling as though she was in a forest undercover, Ginny scoffed slightly until she graspe hold of the box.

The gift was perfectly cube, wrapped in a beautiful matte velvet dark red cloth. A thin ribbon of dark green secured the top into a wicked bow.

Ginny had never seen such a luxurious gift wrapping in her life.

She gasped when she saw a small note attached to the ribbon, and her mouth dropped when she read what it said.

And so the ferret fell in love with the weasel.