Apples and Snakes

Christmas Truce

Snow fell on the castle, and Christmas had drawn closer.

"I suggest a Christmas truce," I said.

"What?" The pencil actually fell out of Teddy's hand.

"A Christmas truce. Muggle soldiers did it in World War I," I said. "We can have a Quidditch match, and just celebrate that we've all survived this long."

"It could raise the spirits of the others," Ellie said. "Let's do it."

"I'll make the announcement," I declared. "We'll all go."

On Christmas morning, we all dressed festively, and found the entire other army approaching in festive gear, too.

"We'd decided we wanted a Christmas truce," I announced to Draco, who appeared to be their leader.

"We did too," he replied, a small, genuine smile on his face. We shook hands.

"Want to play Quidditch?" I asked. "We'll have one big match."

"Sounds like fun." Draco grinned, and we raided the broom closet, and flew out of the snow-covered courtyards, and we took all of the Beater Bats, and released the Golden Snitch. It was loads of fun that way, with multiple Bludgers going, and Quaffles, and Snitches. The people who didn't get a broom sat down, and cheered, and watched. I grinned at them, as I took up commentary for everyone, as they switched out positions and such.

The house-elves were delighted that we weren't fighting anymore. They were baking all sorts of sweets and passing around mugs of hot chocolate, and were absolutely delighted to do it.

We sang carols, and laughed and danced. Everyone was playing games of Exploding Snap on the demolished steps of the big center of stairs.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" I said to Draco, cradling a mug in my hands.

"Yeah," he said quietly, holding his own. We clinked mugs.

"Here's to being not cowards," I said. He smiled, albeit guiltily.

"Indeed, he replied, before we started drinking up.

"It's amazing how little we have to fend off attempts to reclaim the castle anymore," I said.

"Yeah," Draco said. "You guys are great fighters."

"Thanks, yours are really good, too," I replied with a smirk. "Look at us, being civil friends, like we used to, three years ago."

"Yeah," he replied. "Do you miss it?"

"Sometimes," I confessed. "I wonder if we would've stayed friends if the whole resurrection hadn't happened."

"Probably," he said. "The resurrection changed everything."

"In more ways than one," I said. "Ever wonder what they're doing outside these walls?"

Draco hesitated. "I'm not sure I want to know," he admitted. "I almost prefer being in here, cut off from the rest of the world, into one lasting siege. It's better than slaughtering mudbloods, as much as I hate to admit that."

"Because we put up a fight?" I teased.

"Among other reasons." He then took a sip of the hot chocolate, preventing me from interrogating further.

"Heard anything from outside?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Strangely, no one has thought of owling us, but I think that just proves how inept those cowards are."

I snorted. "Yeah, it's a wonder that wizard-kind has survived this long."

"I think it was Malfoy influence," he said.

"Definitely," I agreed.

"Oh joyous day! The hero of the magical world has agreed that Malfoys are competent!" He cried, in mock worship.

I playfully punched him on the arm. "There's no need to carry on like that," I said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Why not?" He asked.

"I'm not the only hero of this war," I said. "There are plenty in this room."

"Not disagreeing with that, Ali," he said, and I relished the sound of my nickname on his lips. "Just that you're the hero, the first one everyone goes to. You give people hope."

"Sounds a bit like confessions of regret," I said airily.

"Sometimes," he replied. "But it's too late for me, and the rest of them. He'll kill us all, you know."

"The Dark Lord is one person. There are 560 here."

"He's unbeatable."

I sighed. "You know what, let's ditch ethics and just enjoy our truce."

"Agreed," he said, and we clinked half-full mugs, and drank.

It was a bit of disappointment to be back at it again the next day.