Howler

Chapter XL

The evening was spent dancing and eating and the elders did arrives and they roughly checked Harry's neck for the mark and when they saw it they Seemed appeased for the moment but I could tell they'd never let me just be with Harry, he was a new type of phenomenon to them and that would keep their interest for awhile. However I could now focus on the best part of the night is when I finally got to give everyone their presents. But first I had something to do.

"Harry come on!" I grabbed his hand and led him over to the Christmas tree where all the decorations were now gleaming. "Abby what are you doing?" I held a finger up to my lips and pointed to a decoration up the top. "See that one?" I pointed to a silver buble and in dark red cursive Harry's name was written. "That's mine?" I nodded smiling. Getting a decoration on the tree was a big thing in our pack. Although it seemed silly it meant you were apart of our pack, apart of our family.

"Your apart of us now" I squeezed his hand and I watched him smile. "Hey look" I pointed above is to reveal the mistletoe above us. "We can't mess with tradition..." I began but it didn't take long for Harry's lips to be on mine.

---

I told Harry to meet me at my house while he went to get my present. I love this time of year, the time between Christmas Eve and Christmas, when everything seems still. I had given Evie and Jem their presents earlier but I had a feeling they'd be busy themselves this Christmas....

Walking home I couldn't help but feel light. I was so happy and it made me feel light and airy. Walking inside I could see my family gathered around the Christmas tree and they were simply sitting and talking. We never opened presents until before breakfast so until then we merely waited. "Abby is Harry coming?" My mum asked and I nodded telling her he'd be here in five minutes.

True to his word he was there in five.

"Merry Christmas" he kissed me on the cheek and I felt a blush rise to my cheeks, he had changed out of his suit was now in jeans and a sloppy blue sweatshirt but still had to run upstairs to get out of my dress. "I have to get changed but you can wait in my room" Harry followed me upstairs and I walked over to my drawers while Harry plopped himself on my bed placing his present beside him.

A few minutes later I came out wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt. "You staying over tonight?" I asked him sitting beside him. "Yeah if you want me too" and I rolled my eyes "you know your always welcome here with me" I told him. Even though I had always told him that he only stayed over three times and he always slept on the floor.

Sometimes I felt like we were roommates rather than mates.

I walked over to my dresser and picked up my wrapped gift for Harry. I hoped he liked it. "You first or me first?" I asked him and Harry pointed to himself and I laughed lightly. "Okay" Harry handed me his gift and I undid the ribbon to the small box and I gasped. Inside was a small daintily necklace and I couldn't help but laugh because on the end was a small gold wolf in a howling position.

"It's because well your my wolf well I thought-" I shut up quickly by pressing my lips to his "it's perfect and I love it and you" I wrapped my arms around him and he pulled me close "I love you too" he kissed my forehead and I awkwardly reached behind me to get his gift. "Your turn" I handed him the box and I watched him open it carefully.

"Oh wow Abby..." I watched Harry take out the onyx coloured watch and on the back I had engraved  'in perpetuum' "What does that mean?" Harry asked me as He put it carefully back into the box "it means forever, I really like Latin. Just because it's a dead language doesn't mean it's not a beautiful language"

Harry laughed and I couldn't help but smile, he always had that effect on me. "Now come on, mum will probably be making coco around now" I stood up and extended my hand as Harry took it and he stood up.

As we walked downstairs and drunk coco with my parents and brothers it made me feel like that I could finally have forever with Harry. It's the little things that create the greatest impact and it made me realise how lucky I was to be who I was.

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As the early morning began to dawn upon us we all trudged up to our beds prepared to have our six hours of sleep ready for our big Christmas Day. I flipped down on my bed and Harry got ready to take his position on the floor but I grabbed his arm. "Please not this time" I didn't him to be so close yet so far, I just needed him.

He looked up at me, his eyes wide and unblinking and then he nodded. Pulling of his shirt and shoes he lay down beside me as we the stared up at the ceiling. "Abby what's the matter?" He asked turning to me and I turned also. "Nothing why would you ask that?" I cocked my head to the side as I felt Harry's arm snake around my waist "I don't know you just seem...faraway" I moved in closer to him as Harry tighten his grip around my body.

"You have nothing to worry about..." I didn't have to see Harry's face to know he was skeptical but he didn't say anything else and eventually I could hear him softly snoring. I would never let Harry know about that murderous wolf I mean he'd try his hardest to protect me when that wasn't his job.

It was mine.