Victoire Weasley

14. A Christmas Gift

Note: It's me again, and thank you so much for taking your time to like!  I'd just like to say that is chapter is really short, but things happen.  Enjoy!  And please let me know what you think!  And thank you to joelle_kels for liking so many chapters!

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Victoire's P.O.V

     The night before had ended well--very well for me--but I couldn't say the same for Kyra.  We hadn't seen him ever since he ran off after Calliste.  Kyra had acted like it didn't bother her, but I could tell it did.  I was excited for today however, I'd be seeing my family again, and the Burrow, one of the greatest places in the world.  We'd spend the morning packing for the week, and then leave shortly after lunch.  I sat up, feeling well rested.  Kyra was snoring softly in the bed near mine and the other girls were still sleeping.  I grinned to myself and picked up my pillow and threw it at Kyra's head.

     She gave an extra loud snort before looking up, "uhh...wha?" She said.

     "Get up.  It's Christmas!" I beamed and sized up the pile of presents at my feet.  Kyra began waking up for real as I grabbed for the nearest one.  Not bothering to save the paper, I ripped it and pulled out a blue sweater with a note attached to it, it read, "Something to keep you warm, knowing you grew out of your last one.  With much love, your grandparents."

     I smiled.  The sweaters had always been a traditional gift from my grandmother, who always knitted them for her children and grandchildren.  It was the colour of navy blue with a silver V on the front.  I pulled in on immediately and reached for a second present.  It was a large box with red and green striped-wrapping paper.  I had a good feeling of who this was from.  A note was taped on to it, which said "Whatever you do, I suggest you keep these things away from your grandmother.  Merry Christmas and see you soon, from your most successful uncle.  P.S, Save the sweets for those times when McGonagall is just unbearable."

     I couldn't help but laugh quietly as I recognized my uncle George's handwriting and cheeky tone.  Having a pretty good idea of what I'd find inside, I hurried to open it.  A miniature model of a Ford Anglia flew out at high speeds, the engine buzzing lowly.  I watched it fly around the room and circle the sleeping girls who began to stir.  With a smile, I shook my head and looked back into the box.  Uncle George had sent me a nicely sized skiving snack box, a bag of ton-tongue toffees and canary creams, a new type of improved extendable ears, a patented daydream charm, Peruvian instant darkness powder, miniature wild-fire whiz-bangs and a box full of treats from Honeydukes, which he promised he'd done nothing to.  You could always look forward to Uncle George's gifts.  The little miniature Ford Anglia had served as a reminder to Kyra that it was Christmas, who had now attacked her own pile.

     From the rest of my extended family I'd received a red and gold set of wizard's chess, a sneakoscope, three quills with ink, a large collection of books, and from my parents, I'd received a silk, red and gold mokeskin pouch.  Alroy had given me a book on the Appleby Arrows, Darren had given me an Auto-Answer Quill (something I wouldn't be using, and he knew it, yet he insisted that everyone cheats and one day, I will too) and a set of exploding snap cards, and Kyra had given me _____________.  I knew they'd like the gifts I'd gotten them.  I picked up the last gift, which was a small box with a note attached to it, signed by Teddy.  Teddy!  I realized in terror that I'd forgotten to give him a present.

     I mentally cursed myself and tried thinking of something to give him.  What could I give?  No matter what it was, I wouldn't have enough time to make it special.  A book on Quidditch wouldn't do, he probably had enough of those.  "Thanks for the miniature Nimbus, I love it--Ooo, what's that?" Kyra asked, jumping over next to me, still chewing on a chocolate frog with the little Nimbus I'd given her flying around behind it.

     "I don't know yet, it's from Teddy." I said and felt my cheeks heat up.

     Kyra waggled her eyebrows at me teasingly, "You should open it."

     "Yeah, I know, but I forgot to give him a present."

     "So?  You can still open it." She looked at me as if I was stupid.

     "I know I can open it, I'm just saying, I forgot to give him a present." I said in a matter-of-fact tone.

     "Then you'll figure something out.  Knowing how much he likes you, I bet a kiss would do the trick.  Now open it before I do it for you."

     I rolled my eyes at her and slowly tore the paper, probably afraid of destroying whatever was inside with my clumsiness.  Kyra sighed impatiently, and made sure I heard it.

     Inside was a black velvet box.  Kyra let out something of a squeal.  I smiled so broadly that my cheeks were beginning to hurt.  I opened the little box, only to reveal a golden necklace with opal and onyx gemstones.  It was dauntingly beautiful, but there was something unsettling about it.  Kyra sighed in awe, 'Oh wow, that's pretty.  It'd not really you though..."

     It's what I'd been thinking.  The least I could do was make Teddy happy, so I asked Kyra, "Could you put in on me?" To which she eagerly nodded to and undid the clasp of the necklace.

     I could never really explain what happened next with good enough words.  As soon as Kyra clasped the necklace, a strange feeling of it melting or rather, moulding itself into me began.  It grew hot, burning even and I tried to lift my arm to tear it off.  But I couldn't.  My arm was unresponsive and suddenly, my head hit the wall behind my bed.  I couldn't see, a darkness was blinding me.  I could hear however, and Kyra said with panic in her voice, "Tori?  Tori, are you alright?" I could feel her hand on my forehead.  I tried to open my lips, but they were glued shut, I tried to force a sound through them, but I couldn't.  I wanted to flail my arms and rip off the necklace, but most of all, I wanted to know what was happening to me.  I couldn't focus my thoughts, to even begin to wonder, everything in my head was racing at a breakneck speed, it was all a blur of confusion.

     I could hear Kyra next to me, desperately asking me if I was okay.  "Tori?!  Tori!  Someone help, please," She begged and cried.

     "What's happening?" I heard Alex's voice, she sounded concerned.

     "I d--don't know, it was just--it was a present...I put it on her and--I don't know what's happening.  Please someone get help!" Kyra was sobbing now.

     "What's going on?" a girl named Sam said, sounding sleepy.

     "There's something wrong with Victoire, could you go find McGonagall?  Please?!" Alex replied.

     I heard Sam gasp and hurry out the door, slamming it in the process.  Alex came over and placed a hand on my forehead, "She's freezing cold."

     "I know--I--What's happening?" Kyra continued sobbing.  Alex must have reached for the necklace because a second later Kyra exclaimed, "Wait!  No, don't touch it!"

     The necklace was still burning against my icy skin, and the darkness remained.  All I could do was hear and feel, and I wasn't liking either of those things at the moment.  If only someone knew what was happening...if only someone could explain to me what was happening...if only someone knew how to make it stop.